About This Resource
Author: Waterloo-Wellington Regional Cancer Program
Revised: May 2025
PEM#: PEMWHRNCC0038
If you are getting treatment for cancer, your immune system may be weaker than usual. This means it’s harder for your body to fight off infections like measles, and you could get sicker than other people.
The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine helps protect you from getting measles. It has a very weak form of the virus that won’t make you sick. Instead, it teaches your body how to fight the real virus if you come into contact with it.
If you have any of the following, contact your healthcare team right away:
OR
If you been around someone with measles or someone who has ANY symptoms of measles
DO NOT COME TO THE CANCER CENTER.
Call before coming to your next appointment.
519-749-4380
Based on your cancer treatment, it might not be safe for you to get the MMR vaccine. Check the chart below to see if you are able to have the vaccine.
Always talk to your healthcare team before getting ANY vaccines.
During Treatment: Do NOT get the vaccine
After Treatment: Wait until 3 months after your last treatment.
During Treatment: You can get the MMR vaccine, if you have not been on ANY active treatment in the past 3 months
Active Surveillance: Follow-up care to catch cancer early if it returns
Use this resource for your information only. It does not replace medical advice from your doctor or other healthcare professionals.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cancerwaterloowellington.ca