Protecting against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

The MMR Vaccine

Apr 8, 2009 Alicia Mae Prater

Three dangerous viruses once required separate vaccinations but are now protected against by one.

Monovalent vaccines are available for all three viral infections, but routine use of the MMR vaccine containing all three began 20 years ago (1989). The vaccine is given as two injections. The first dose is given to children between 12 and 15 months of age, offering lifetime immunity to approximately 95% of all vaccinated. A booster is given at least 4 weeks later, but usually before the start of Kindergarten at 4-6 years of age, to cover the other 5%. Children who are unable to be vaccinated due to immune system disorders are considered protected if approximately 90% of the population is vaccinated.

Why Vaccinate for Measles?

Measles is a deadly and highly contagious infection that results in a fever, rash, and swollen, watery eyes. Considered to be rare in the United States and Australia, there are 20 million cases worldwide each year. Death and severe complications, including encephalitis and blindness, are extremely common with this disease.

A measles vaccine was first licensed in 1971. Though lifetime immunity is expected with the early childhood doses, boosters with updated vaccine are sometimes recommended to ensure the containment of this dangerous pathogen.

Why Vaccinate for Mumps?

Mumps is an acute and self-limiting infection characterized by swollen lymph nodes along the jawline and cheek. Complications are more common in adults, though resulting deafness is more common in children. Pregnant women who are infected may experience spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). Though considered a gastrointestinal infection, half of all infections have respiratory involvement. Pancreatitis, reproductive organ inflammation, and encephalitis are also possible complications.

A mumps vaccine was first licensed in 1967 and vaccination rates steadily increased with coinciding decreases in disease until 2005. Decreased vaccination rates have resulted in outbreaks with thousands affected.

Why Vaccinate for Rubella?

Rubella, also known as German Measles, is usually a mild infection characterized by a fever and rash. Complications are rare with the exception of pregnant women infected during their first trimester. Congenital rubella syndrome occurs in one-fourth of babies born to unimmunized women exposed at that time in their pregnancy. The syndrome consists of a number of birth defects: mental retardation, deafness, heart defects, eye defects, and movement disorders. A blood test can determine if a woman is immune prior to pregnancy, offering a chance to prevent resulting birth defects.

MMR Vaccine Side Effects

The vaccine contains weakened (attenuated) virus, but this only causes infection in immunocompromised individuals. Less than a quarter of those who are vaccinated with MMR will be susceptible to side effects, which include a fever and rash 1-2 weeks after receiving the injection. The more common side effect is lymph node swelling, a side effect of the immune response. Of every 1 million vaccinations, there is 1 expected case of an allergic reaction, and low platelet counts occur in 1 out of every 100,000 vaccinations in the United States. Neurological side effects have been rare and are considered coincidental, and a doctor’s care should be sought to determine the cause.

Controversy

Because of a study by Andrew Wakefield in 1998, there was some controversy about the MMR vaccine and an association with autism. The findings of the study has not been replicated and Wakefield has been found to have falsified the data. The problem was supposedly with a mercury-based preservative developed in the 1930s, thimerosal, which has not been in the vaccines since 2001. The Merck version of the vaccine (MMRII) has never contained the preservative. Autism rates have continued to increase despite decreased rates of vaccination and the elimination of all mercury-based preservatives from children’s vaccines. Numerous research studies have concluded that there is no link between vaccines and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The risks of the diseases protected against by vaccination outweigh the risk of vaccinating.

The copyright of the article Protecting against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella in General Medicine is owned by Alicia Mae Prater. Permission to republish Protecting against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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