1.What are Measles, Mumps ane Rubella?
Measles
Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. If severe it can even lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.
Mumps
Mumps virus causes fever, headache, and swollen parotid glands (Salivary gland). In some kids it can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries leading to infertility.
Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella virus causes rash, mild fever, and arthritis. If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.
MMR vaccine prevents the above diseases.
2. When should my child get MMR Vaccine?
Indian academy of Pediatrics recommends a Measles only vaccine at 9 months of age and MMR (combination) vaccine at 15-18 months and 5 years.
3. Who should not receive MMR Vaccine?
- Those who had a severe allergic reaction to previous dose of MMR vaccine.
- If severely ill
- Women who are pregnant
- If recently received transfusion with blood products.
Those who has immune deficiency like HIV/AIDS, Use of steroids (2 weeks or longer), treatment for cancer should check with their doctor before getting MMR vaccine.
4. What are the side effects from MMR Vaccine?
Most children who get MMR vaccine do not have any problem with it. The risk of MMR vaccine causing serious harm is extremely small.
- Mild Problems: Fever, Mild rash or Pain and swelling in the injection site. These usually occur within 7-12 days of injection.
- Moderate Problems: Seizure caused by fever, Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints or Temporary low platelet count.
- Severe Problems (Extremely rare): Allergic reactions.
5. What to do if there is any moderate or severe reaction?
Call the doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away
“Content Source: Centers for Disease Control and prevention, Indian Academy of pediatrics”
