Mumps can be prevented by two vaccines: Mumps, measles, and rubella are all prevented by the MMR vaccination, which is given to both children and adults. Mumps, measles, rubella, and chickenpox are all prevented by the MMRV vaccination. This vaccination is given to children and adolescents at least 1 year old. Adults who have not been vaccinated should get 2 doses of the MMR vaccine 4 weeks apart. In addition, there is a mumps vaccine available for people over 19 years old. This vaccine is only recommended for people who do not want to get sick from mumps or who cannot get another form of vaccination for medical reasons. People who have not gotten two doses of the MMR vaccine may still get vaccinated with a single dose of the mumps vaccine. The vaccine is given in a series of shots over several months. The mumps vaccine is safe and effective. It needs to be given in conjunction with a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and at least 6 months after the first dose of the MMR vaccine. The mumps vaccine should not be given alone without the other vaccines in a series. There is no evidence that shows that the mumps vaccine is harmful. However, people who have not received two doses of the mumps vaccine may experience side effects such as sore arms and fever.