Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine
Alternate Names : MMR Immunization, MMR Vaccine, MMR Vaccination
Vaccines contain weakened or dead germs that cause certain
diseases. To fight these germs, a person's immune system creates antibodies
which help the body rid itself of the germs and prevent infection. Some of
these antibodies will stay in the body for use at a later time if needed. Later in life, if a child or adult is exposed to these diseases, the antibodies multiply and fight them off.
The combined measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is given to children or
adults to prevent those three diseases. A series of two shots are given at
least one month apart. The vaccine protects against the discomforts and
possibly serious complications of:
measles, which can cause
rash, fever, ear infection, pneumonia, brain damage, and, rarely,
death
mumps, which can cause
swollen glands, fever, diseases that can damage the brain and nervous system,
painfully swollen testicles or ovaries, and, rarely, death
rubella, which can cause
rash, joint pain, diseases that can damage the brain and nerve cells,
miscarriage, and serious birth defects in a fetus
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
The vaccine protects best against these three diseases if the first shot is given before a child is 2 years old. The U.S. government currently recommends:
one shot when a child is between 12 and 15 months old
a second shot, or booster shot, when a child is between 4 and 6
years old
Many people who were not vaccinated at these times can still benefit from
vaccination. Measles causes more serious health problems among teens and adults than among children. Mumps is of special concern to males because it
may cause infertility.
Rubella may cause miscarriage or birth defects if a woman catches it during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The best schedule for unvaccinated children and adults should be
discussed with a healthcare provider. A woman who is considering pregnancy
should check with her healthcare provider to be sure she is up to date on all of her immunizations. If she has not received the necessary doses of MMR vaccine, she should consider getting them prior to becoming pregnant. This will insure that the unborn baby is not put at risk should the mother develop one of these infections while pregnant. To be effective, the vaccine must be given at least 3 months prior to a woman becoming pregnant.
Not everyone should have the MMR vaccine. Vaccination should be discussed with
a healthcare provider if a child or adult:
has an immunodeficiency disorder
or cancer
is being treated with steroids or other medications that affect the
immune system
is pregnant or planning to get pregnant within the next 3
months
has had a life-threatening
allergic reaction to certain substances, like eggs
has had one or more of the diseases covered by the
vaccine
How is the procedure performed?
One shot is given into the muscle of the upper arm or thigh.
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