At what minimum age can the MMR vaccine be administered?

The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is recommended to be administered at a minimum age of 12 months. This timing is crucial because infants typically receive maternal antibodies from their mothers, which can interfere with the efficacy of the vaccine if administered too early. Immunization at 12 months ensures that the child is old enough for the vaccine to provoke an adequate immune response while minimizing the interference from maternal antibodies.

Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the first dose of the MMR vaccine to be given between 12 and 15 months of age. This aligns with the standard immunization schedule, promoting the best health outcomes and herd immunity within the community. The options that indicate earlier ages, such as 4, 6, and 8 months, are below the recommended age for establishing immunity against these diseases effectively, making them inappropriate for initial vaccination.