03 Aug 2026 Early MMR Vaccination
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program allows for early MMR vaccination in the following scenarios.
Early MMR Vaccination Guidance
An early first dose of MMR is recommended for patients aged 6 – 11 months, if:
- Traveling internationally
- Traveling to areas with domestic measles outbreaks, including counties in Pennsylvania with ongoing outbreaks: Lancaster, Lebanon, Berks, Dauphin, Northumberland, York, and Chester.
Any MMR dose given at 6 – 11 months will not count toward the final series, and these patients will need two doses of MMR after age 1 year. Dose 1 of MMR is not routinely given before 12 months of age, as it may blunt future immune responses, especially when given before 8.5 months of age. However, the benefit of vaccinating infants early outweighs the risks when infection rates are high.
Children aged 12 months and older can receive the second dose of MMR earlier than 4 through 6 years, provided that 28 days have elapsed since dose 1.
An early MMR dose 2 is specifically recommended if:
- Traveling internationally
- Traveling to areas with domestic measles outbreaks, including counties in Pennsylvania with ongoing outbreaks: Lancaster, Lebanon, Berks, Dauphin, Northumberland, York, and Chester.
An early second dose of MMR counts towards the final series. Parents should be made aware that while the Philadelphia School District accepts an early second MMR dose for school entry, some other school districts may require a dose at age 4 years or older.
Currently, there are no active measles outbreaks in Philadelphia County. Immunization guidance and recommendations may evolve based on current epidemiology and risk assessments.
References:
- PDPH health advisory: “Reminders for Expanded Use of MMR and Measles Clinical Management during Summer Travel and Events”
- CDC: Child Immunization Schedule Notes
- CDC: Measles Vaccine Recommendations