Does the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination protect against COVID-19?

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine does not protect against COVID-19. Here are some key points to understand why this is so.

The MMR vaccine is designed to provide specific immunity against the viruses that cause measles, mumps, and rubella. Each vaccine targets specific pathogens, and the MMR vaccine was not designed to protect against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Although there was some speculation early in the pandemic about the potential benefits of the MMR vaccine against COVID-19, there is no convincing scientific evidence to show that the MMR vaccine protects against COVID-19. Researchers have investigated whether existing vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, could provide some level of nonspecific protection against COVID-19, but the findings are inconclusive.

Some studies have suggested that certain vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine, can stimulate the immune system in a way that could help it respond to other infections. This concept is called “trainable immunity.” However, the effects are generally weak and not specific enough to provide significant protection against COVID-19.

Although the MMR vaccination is important for preventing measles, mumps and rubella, it does not provide specific protection against COVID-19. To protect against COVID-19, it is essential to be vaccinated with one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8310886/pdf/ijmeg0012-0035.pdf

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-05-02 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025