MMR Titer test

[Rovering_Rose]

I had the MMR vaccine when I was a child. Since there are some outbreaks in nearby states, I decided to take the MMR Titer test. My results show that I have immunity to mumps and rubella but none to measles. I was wondering if anyone else had similar results. I couldn't find anything on line about it. I know MMR is a live vaccine and should not get it.

[DeeDeeBird]

I thought the same thing but my hematologist/oncologist said it was okay for me to get the shot. They said not to get labs drawn for several weeks after because it could raise my WBC count temporarily. Maybe it’s okay to get while I’m in remission after Venetoclax/Gazyva? Ask the docs of course, but I didn’t have any side effects besides a slight sore arm

[Mom25kids]

yup! I had the same but didn’t have immunity to two of them. I had to get the MMR series done again. I was told that this is common for people in their 40’s and up.

[Cllady25]

This site and the sites that are referenced for a click to pull up are the latest 2025 charts for adult vaccinations. Sorry, I have a "taxing situation I must complete today" (if you get my meaning!!!) so I can't sort through for the specific info to highlight.

The charts are an effort to include exceptions in all areas and get quite confusing. Focus on your current question and you will find an answer to the U.S. POV.

cllsociety.org/2022/03/vacc...

[Mango357 in reply to Cllady25]

Very informative. Thank you.

[Flute117]

My GP checked my titers when my immune system seemed to have recovered two years after treatment. I still have immunity to Measles but lost my immunity to Rubella and Chickenpox. I was told I should not get any live vaccines.

[Sojomama13]

Hi Rovering_Rose—

Just received my results, I, too, have 0 protection. Seeing my team tomorrow and will be discussing options. I know measles vaccine is live, not certain what, if any, options I will have. Watching the cases tick upward is scary and now it is spreading out of Texas. I will share what they have to say. I will also ask if there is any work being done in a vaccine that is not live. I am receiving monthly IVIG infusions, I am hoping that this means I am covered. If so, then this should be made available to ALL CLL/SLL patients.

Sandy

[Rovering_Rose]

I ended V and O treatment in September, 2021 and achieved UMRD. I went to followup a couple of weeks ago and my numbers are still good. My oncologist office said I am ok to get the MMR based on this. Going to get one

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Rovering_Rose]

Rovering_Rose, as you said in your post; "I know MMR is a live vaccine and should not get it". Seems you know more than your oncologist about vaccinations for those with CLL. (Keep in mind that oncologists primarily focus on solid tumors and blood cancers are relatively rare. CLL is deemed an orphan disease in the USA and EU, to encourage research. That's why it pays to see a specialist who specialises in CLL or at least blood cancers, rather than a generalist cancer specialist.)

DeeDeeBird and others contemplating having the MMR vaccine, per our Vaccinations pinned post for those with CLL, healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

'GENERAL ADVICE FOR ALL WITH CLL:

“Live” vaccines should NEVER be given to people with CLL.'

The CLL Society reference supplied above by Cllady25 explains why, with my emphasis;

cllsociety.org/2022/03/vacc...

An important point to remember is that we should only receive inactivated vaccines and never a live vaccine produced with an attenuated (weakened) but living form of a virus. This is because, due to our weakened immune systems, the injected virus may potentially reactivate and cause actual infection and illness. Examples of live vaccines to be avoided include:

- Intranasal Flu vaccine (FluMist)

- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

- Varicella

- Zostavax (no longer used in the USA as of November 18, 2020)

- Yellow Fever

- Oral polio (not used in the US since 2000)"

From Measles and Immune Amnesia

asm.org/articles/2019/may/m...

"'Measles virus (MV) is especially dangerous because it has the ability to destroy what’s been earned: immune memory from previous infections. Meanwhile, the process of fighting measles infection leaves patients especially vulnerable to secondary infection. (Such as brain inflammation and pneumonia - Neil)

:

One of the most unique—and most dangerous—features of measles pathogenesis is its ability to reset the immune systems of infected patients. During the acute phase of infection, measles induces immune suppression through a process called immune amnesia. Studies in non-human primates revealed that MV actually replaces the old memory cells of its host with new, MV-specific lymphocytes. As a result, the patient emerges with both a strong MV-specific immunity and an increased vulnerability to all other pathogens. (My emphasis)

Many pathogens suppress immune function; the influenza virus damages airway epithelial cells and increases patient susceptibility to pneumonia-causing bacterial species. However, the ability to destroy immunological memory and replace memory lymphocytes is unique to MV. "

Even though the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has just stated (April 7th 2025) that "The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine. " x.com/SecKennedy/status/190... we remain reliant on sufficient people in the community being vaccinated (herd immunity) to prevent measles, the most contagious human virus, spreading. RFK Jr also noted that "..as of today, there are 642 confirmed cases of measles across 22 states, 499 of those in Texas." Three people now have died from measles in the current USA outbreak - all unvaccinated, unmc.edu/healthsecurity/tra... so I hope that Robert F. Kennedy Jr's reversal of his previous stance against the MMR vaccination will now help keep us all safe from measles.

Note also that vitamin A doesn't prevent a measles infection, but has been proven to aid recovery in those who are malnourished, which is rare in the USA. Unfortunately, there has been an uptick in children being treated for vitamin A toxicity in Texas. unmc.edu/healthsecurity/tra...

Neil

[Rovering_Rose in reply to AussieNeil]

Neil, Thanks. I do see a CLL specialist and aware of the issues. For most of their patients, they are not recommended it. I am just in the right place to get it. The pharmacy just called me and talked to me about it. They wouldn't give the vaccine without a prescription from the doctor. I also live in Colorado. There are lot of Texans who like to visit here.

[CLLerinOz Administrator in reply to AussieNeil]

It’s also worth keeping in mind the possibility of post exposure prophylaxis for measles.

For most people who are considered at risk of infection, (but not those with CLL), prophylaxis could take the form of a measles containing vaccine administered within 72 hours of exposure.

For the immunocompromised, it could involve immunoglobulins administered up to six days after exposure: immunisationhandbook.health...

The problem is when an outbreak isn’t isolated to a very small number of cases, making it difficult to know if you’ve been exposed.

Post-exposure prophylaxis is really only viable if you’re sure you’ve been exposed. Not having the disease circulating in the first place is a much safer situation for everyone but that requires high vaccination rates.

That’s why it’s important that those who can safely receive the vaccine do so, to limit spread of the disease and, hopefully, to reach the 95% vaccination rate needed to protect both the vaccinated and those who can’t be vaccinated in our communities.

CLLerinOz

[Rovering_Rose in reply to CLLerinOz]

Thanks for the information. The pharmacy said the would not give me the vaccine unless my CLL specialist sent in a prescription. The pharmacist called me last night to talk to me. Another pharmacist called this morning to get more information. I did get it because there are more cases my state and wanted more protection. I totally understand the risk. The pharmacist said I only need one shot.

[CLLerinOz Administrator in reply to Rovering_Rose]

I hope that goes well for you and you don’t experience any measles symptoms as a result of risking the live vaccine.

One of the challenges with measles infections is that symptoms might not be evident until after the window for receiving immunoglobulins has passed (they're only recommended up to six days after exposure and symptoms often take longer than that to be evident). Immunoglobulins can't be administered 'in case' symptoms appear after receiving a live vaccine as receiving them would counter the vaccine's effect.

Also, as there are no antiviral treatments, immunocompromised people exposed to measles through a live vaccine may need to rely on medical or nursing interventions so don’t hesitate to seek medical treatment at the first sign of a bad reaction.

Please, make sure you're familiar with the early signs of measles ( mayoclinic.org/diseases-con... ) and keep in mind that its course in an immunocompromised person may be different.

I’m not able to provide any information for you about whether you should receive one or two top up doses beyond saying live vaccines aren’t recommended in those with CLL. You’ll need your doctor to be involved in that decision but I’d be very cautious about rolling the dice again.

CLLerinOz

[Rovering_Rose in reply to CLLerinOz]

Thank you for the information. I didn't think it was an option. When I had a follow-up a couple of weeks with my CLL provider, they said since my numbers are good and I have been off treatment for so long, I could get it. The pharmacy required a prescription from my doctor. The pharmacy called twice to talk to me. I weighed the risks and decided to do it. I got the shot yesterday. So far, so good. One of the reasons I decided to do this is I did so many protective things when I had treatment during covid. I know most of us could not take the shot. I am very lucky so far.