Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
Measles, mumps and
rubella vaccine is recommended for all children. It protects against three
potentially serious diseases. This is a two-stage vaccine, and in most states
you must prove your children received it before they can enroll in school. If
you are an adult who has not been vaccinated or has not had the disease, you
may also need an injection of the MMR vaccine.
What is MMR?
Measles, mumps and
rubella are viral diseases. Everything can be very serious.
Measles starts with
fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a red dotted rash that starts on
the face and spreads to the rest of the body. If the virus infects the lungs,
it can cause pneumonia. Measles in older children can lead to an inflammation
of the brain called encephalitis, which can cause seizures and brain damage.
The mumps virus
usually causes swollen glands just below the ears, giving the cheeks a
chipmunk-like appearance. Before the advent of a vaccine, mumps was the most
common cause of meningitis and acquired deafness. In men, mumps can affect the
testicles, which can lead to infertility.
Rubella is also known
as German measles. This can cause a mild rash on the face, swelling of the
glands behind the ears, and in some cases swelling of the small joints, and
mild fever. Most children recover quickly without any long-term effects. But if
a pregnant woman gets rubella, it can be devastating. If she becomes infected
during the first trimester of pregnancy, there is at least a 20% chance that
her baby will have birth defects such as blindness, deafness, heart disease, or
mental retardation.
Who should and should not be vaccinated against MMR?
The MMR vaccine is a
series of two shots usually given during childhood. The child should receive
the first injection at 12 to 15 months of age and the second injection at 4 to
6 years of age.
If you do not know if
you have had a disease or vaccine, you can get the MMR vaccine as an adult.
Talk to your doctor if:
- You work in a medical facility.
- You are planning to or may become pregnant.
- You shouldn't have the injection if:
- You have a severe allergic reaction following the first Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine injection.
- You are allergic to gelatin or neomycin.
- You may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant in the next 4 weeks. (The vaccine is safe if you are breastfeeding.)
- Your immune system is weak because of cancer drugs, corticosteroids, or AIDS.
Risks and side effects of MMR vaccines
Most people who get
the MMR vaccine do not have side effects. Some people have a fever or some pain
and redness at the injection site.
Other possible
problems are less common. They include:
- Fever (1 in 5 children)
- Rash (1 in 20)
- Swollen glands (1 in 7)
- Seizure (1 in 3,000)
- Joint pain/stiffness (1 in 100 children; more common in adults, particularly women)
- Low platelet count/bleeding (1 in 30,000)
- Encephalitis (1 in 1 million)
Over the years, some have suggested that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism spectrum disorders. There is no evidence to support this idea, and dozens of studies have concluded that there is no link. The benefits of the vaccine in preventing disease far outweigh the potential risks.