Vaccine
Volume 30, Issue 48, Pages 6729-6956 (6 November 2012)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0264410X/30/48

Measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine (M–M–R™II): A review of 32 years of clinical and postmarketing experience
Original Research Article
Pages 6918-6926
Fabio Lievano, Susan A. Galea, Michele Thornton, Richard T. Wiedmann, Susan B. Manoff, Trung N. Tran, Manisha A. Amin, Margaret M. Seminack, Kristen A. Vagie, Adrian Dana, Stanley A. Plotkin

Abstract
M–M–R™II (measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine live; Merck, Sharp, & Dohme Corp.) is indicated for simultaneous vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella in individuals ≥12 months of age. Before the vaccine era, these viruses infected most exposed individuals, with subsequent morbidity and mortality. One of the greatest achievements of public health has been to eliminate these 3 diseases in large geographic areas.

The safety profile of M–M–R™II is described using data from routine global postmarketing surveillance. Postmarketing surveillance has limitations (including incomplete reporting of case data), but allows collection of real-world information on large numbers of individuals, who may have concurrent medical problems excluding them from clinical trials. It can also identify rare adverse experiences (AEs).

Over its 32-year history, ∼575 million doses of M–M–R™II have been distributed worldwide, with 17,536 AEs voluntarily reported for an overall rate of 30.5 AEs/1,000,000 doses distributed. This review provides evidence that the vaccine is safe and well-tolerated.