Health officials have urged parents to get their kids vaccinated in light of the measles outbreak, especially after a child at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool died from the disease. The city has experienced a surge in cases among young people. The hospital has also warned parents that there has been a spike in infections due to falling rates of uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.What Is The MMR Vaccine?As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. For children, the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine is prescribed, it also protects against chicken pox. The National Health Service, UK, (NHS), notes that measles, mumps and rubella, also known as German measles spread easily between people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, blindness and hearing loss. NHS notes that if you are pregnant, getting measles can cause premature birth, miscarriage or even still birth. Rubella can also cause serious problems for your baby such as damage to their sight and hearing.Also Read: Why Wimbledon Winner Jannik Sinner Was Banned: The Clostebol Drug Test Controversy Explained NHS notes that with just two doses of MMR vaccine, you can get a long-term protection against the disease.NHS notes that in the UK, there are two types of MMR vaccines available. You can review their ingredients in the official patient information leaflets:MMR VaxProPriorix MMR VaxPro contains a small amount of gelatine derived from pigs (porcine gelatine). If you'd prefer your child to receive the Priorix vaccine instead, speak to the healthcare professional administering the vaccine.Who Should Have The MMR Vaccine?The MMR vaccine is recommended for all babies and young children, but older children and adults can have it if they were not vaccinated when they were younger, notes NHS, UK. Babies and young children are given 2 doses of MMR vaccine, which are also part of the NHS vaccination schedule. Children are given dose at 1 year old and 3 years 4 month old age. Babies between 6 and 12 months may have an extra dose of the MMR vaccine, especially if they are travelling abroad to an area with a lot of measles, they have been in close contact with someone with measles, and if there is a measles outbreak.For older children and adults, notes NHS, the MMR vaccine can be administered at any age. However, it is important that you speak to the general practitioner (GP) about getting vaccinated in case you did not get the vaccine as a child or if you only had 1 dose.Also Read: Damar Hamlin Is Back For 2025 NFL Season, But His Cardiac Arrest Has Changed The Course Of The GameWho Cannot Have The MMR Vaccine?Most people who need the MMR vaccine can safely receive it.However, because it’s a live vaccine—meaning it contains weakened forms of the measles, mumps, and rubella viruses—it may not be suitable for everyone.You should not get the MMR vaccine if:you are pregnantyou have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or medications that suppress immunityyou’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any ingredient in the vaccine, such as gelatine or neomycinIf you're feeling unwell: You can still get the MMR vaccine if you're mildly unwell, as long as you don’t have a high temperature.If you have a fever or feel very unwell, it’s best to wait until you recover before getting vaccinated and ask your doctor.