Safe travel to countries where mumps is common

Mumps can cause serious illness, especially in adults. If you and your family are traveling to a country where mumps infections are still common, it is best to check your immunity status.

You are considered immune if you have had the recommended doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, had a past diagnosis of the mumps by a doctor, or have lab evidence of immunity. If none of these apply, check with your doctor or local immunization clinic to see if the MMR vaccine is recommended before you travel.

The mumps vaccine is usually not recommended before traveling for infants younger than 12 months. Mumps is a relatively mild disease in children, and babies have some temporary immunity gained while in the womb. But if you are traveling where measles is common, infants 6 to 11 months of age may receive a dose of MMR vaccine. This dose would protect against mumps also.