MMR - vaccine

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y

Rubella on an infant's back Measles on the back Immunizations

Overview

MMR - vaccine

The MMR combined vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

The MMR vaccine is a "3-in-1" vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella -- all of which are potentially serious diseases of childhood.

The MMR is one of the recommended childhood immunizations. Generally, proof of MMR vaccination is required for school entry.

SCHEDULE

• The first shot is recommended at 12-15 months.
• A second MMR is recommended prior to school entry at 4-6 years (but can be given at any time thereafter). Some states require a second MMR at kindergarten entry.

Adults 18 years or older who were born after 1956 should also receive MMR if they are uncertain of their immunization status or if they have only had one MMR prior to school entry. Adults born during or prior to 1956 are presumed to be immune. Many people within that age group had the actual diseases during childhood.

BENEFITS

One MMR will protect most individuals from contracting measles, mumps, or rubella throughout their lives. The second MMR is recommended to cover those individuals who may not have received adequate protection from the first MMR.

Measles is a virus which causes a rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever in most people, but can also lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death in some cases.

Mumps virus causes fever, headache, and swollen glands, but can also lead to deafness, meningitis, swollen testicles or ovaries, and death in some cases.

Rubella, also known as the German Measles, is generally a mild disease, but can cause serious birth defects in the child of a woman who becomes infected while pregnant.

RISKS

Most people who receive the MMR will have no associated problems. Others may have minor problems, such as soreness and redness at the injection site or fevers. Serious problems associated with receiving the MMR are rare.

Potential mild to moderate adverse effects include:

• fever (1 in 6 children)
• rash (1 in 20)
• swollen glands (rare)
• seizure (1 in 3,000)
• joint pain/stiffness (1 in 4, usually young women)
• low platelet count/bleeding (1 in 30,000)

Severe adverse effects may include:

• allergic reaction (less than 1 per million)
• long-term seizure/brain damage/deafness (so rare that the association with the vaccine is questionable)

Page: 1 | 2   previous | next

Email this page  Printer friendly  Bookmark this page