Sunday, May 27, 2012

MMR - vaccine

Table of Contents

  • Allergic reaction (less than 1 per million)
  • Long-term seizure, brain damage, or deafness (so rare that the association with the vaccine is questionable)

There is NO evidence linking MMR vaccination with the development of autism.

See also:

  • Immunizations - general overview
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (www.cdc.gov/vaccines)

The potential benefits from receiving the MMR vaccine far outweigh the potential risks. Measles, mumps, and rubella are all very serious illnesses. They each can have complications that lead to lifetime disability or even death. For every 1,000 children who get measles, 1 or 2 will die from it.

CONSIDERATIONS

If the child is ill with something more serious than just a cold, immunization may be delayed. Tell your health care providers if your child had any problems with the first MMR vaccine before scheduling the second one.

The MMR vaccine should not be given to people who have:

  • An allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin that is serious enough to require medical treatment
  • A weakened immune system due to certain cancers, HIV, steroid drugs, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other drugs that suppress the immune system

You should not receive this vaccine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next 3 months.

People who have received transfusions or other blood products (including gamma globulin) or who have had low platelet counts should discuss the proper timing of the MMR vaccine with their health care provider.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF:

  • You aren't sure if a person should get, avoid, or delay the MMR vaccine
  • You have moderate or serious symptoms after receiving the vaccine
  • Other symptoms that are not common side effects of the MMR vaccine develop
  • You have any other questions or concerns related to the vaccine

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Review Date: 12/15/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)