MMR Vaccine
MMR Vaccine
All you need to know about
MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)
The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine that is both safe and effective.
It safeguards against three important illnesses:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (German Measles)
These extremely contagious diseases can quickly spread among persons who have not been immunised.
It is critical to get vaccinated since these illnesses can cause serious complications such as meningitis, hearing loss, and issues during pregnancy.
The MMR vaccine, which comes in two doses, offers the best protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
If you have any vaccination-related questions, you can contact:
- Seek help from your doctor’s office or other healthcare specialists.
- To learn more about why vaccination is safe and important.
When children should have the MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is part of the NHS vaccination schedule for newborns and young children.
MMR vaccine schedule
Child’s age
Vaccine
1 Year
MMR (1st dose)
3 Years and 4 months
MMR (2nd dose)
Missed vaccines
It’s critical to get any immunizations that you may have missed.
If your child has missed any of these two doses, you can still get the MMR vaccine from your doctor’s office.
Effectiveness of the MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is a highly successful immunisation.
After two dosages, the following occurs:
- Around 99% of people will be protected against measles and rubella.
- Around 88% of people will be protected against mumps.
People who have been vaccinated against mumps but nevertheless get it has a lower risk of significant consequences or hospitalisation.
Around two weeks after receiving the MMR vaccine, protection against measles, mumps, and rubella begin to develop.
How the MMR vaccine is given
The MMR vaccine is administered in two doses by a single injection into the thigh or upper arm muscle.
To get full protection, you’ll need two doses of the vaccination.
Side effects of the MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is considered to be extremely safe. The majority of side effects are minor and short-lived, such as:
- For 2 to 3 days, the area where the needle is inserted appears red, swollen, and uncomfortable.
- For around 2 or 3 days following the injection, newborns or young children may feel a little sick or develop a high temperature.
Immediately after the injection, some youngsters may cry and be agitated. This is normal, and a snuggle should help them feel better.
It’s crucial to remember that infectious diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella can have far more significant effects.
Common side effects of the MMR vaccine
Because a single injection contains three distinct vaccines, different adverse effects can occur at different times.
Side effects of the measles vaccine
Some children develop a moderate form of measles 7 to 11 days after receiving the injection. This includes the following:
- A rash
- A high temperature
- Loss of appetite
- A general feeling of being unwell for about 2 or 3 days
Because these symptoms are not contagious, your kid will not pass them on to children who have not been vaccinated.
Mumps vaccine side effects
1 in 50 youngsters develops a moderate form of mumps 3 to 4 weeks after receiving the shot. Swollen glands in the cheeks, neck, or under the jaw, which can persist for up to two days, are an example.
These symptoms are not infectious to other people.
Rubella vaccine side effects
Adult women may suffer painful, stiff, or swollen joints for up to 3 days after receiving the injection.
Rare side effects of the MMR vaccine
Bruise-like spots
About 2 weeks after receiving the MMR vaccine, a child may develop a mild rash of bruise-like patches.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a side effect associated with the rubella vaccine (ITP).
ITP is thought to develop in one out of every 24,000 MMR vaccination doses given. The chance of acquiring ITP from measles or rubella infection, on the other hand, is significantly greater than the risk of getting the vaccine.
ITP normally goes away on its own, but like with any rash, you should seek medical care as soon as possible.
Seizures (fits)
After receiving the MMR vaccine, there is a tiny possibility of experiencing a seizure (fit) 6 to 11 days later. A high temperature in response to the measles vaccine virus can result in this.
It may sound frightening, but experiencing a seizure after receiving the MMR vaccine is quite uncommon. They occur in roughly 1 out of every 1,000 doses administered.
In fact, seizures caused by the MMR vaccine are less common than seizures caused by a measles infection.
Allergic reactions to the MMR vaccine
A significant adverse reaction to a vaccine is quite uncommon. If this happens, it usually happens within minutes.
The person who administers the vaccine to you or your kid will be trained to recognise and treat allergic reactions. You or your child will make a full recovery with proper care.
Gelatine and neomycin allergies
If you or your kid has experienced serious allergic reactions to any of the following, tell your doctor or nurse.
- Gelatine
- A type of antibiotic known as neomycin
Egg allergies
For children and adults with a severe egg allergy, MMR immunisation is safe.
Because the MMR vaccine is developed on chick cells rather than egg whites or yolks, this is the case.
The MMR vaccine is not linked to autism
There is no proof that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism. There have been numerous studies that have looked into this.
MMR vaccine ingredients
In the United Kingdom, there are two different brands of MMR vaccines. Priorix and MMRVaxPro are the names of these vaccines.
The MMR vaccination contains a small number of attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella viruses as its major component.
There is no mercury in the MMR vaccine (thiomersal).
Porcine gelatine is used in MMRVaxPro to keep the vaccine safe and effective during storage.