MMR Vaccine

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If everything is ok, I'll take MMR vaccine next Wednesday (11 November 2009). This is supposed to be the last immunization for me as the first year baby. What's MMR vaccine?

The MMR vaccine is a mixture of three live attenuated viruses, administered via injection for immunization against measles, mumps and rubella (also called German measles). It is generally administered to children around the age of one year, with a second dose before starting school (i.e. age 4/5). The second dose is not a booster; it is a dose to produce immunity in the small number of persons (2–5%) who fail to develop measles immunity after the first dose.[1]

Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 10 million people worldwide are affected by measles each year. It is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths among young children. Measles outbreaks are common in many areas, including Europe.[2]

Side effects

Anything we take into our body can have side effects. Medicines, and in this case MMR vaccine, are no exception, but vaccines are among the safest medicines.

The commonest side effects are similar to a mild version of one of the viruses involved, and not very different to the measles vaccine which was previously used. The child may be generally less vigorous, have a slight fever and possibly a rash, most often about a week after the immunisation and lasting about two or three days. Swelling of the glands in the cheeks, as seen in mumps, may happen about three weeks after the injection in about 1 in 100 cases.

Occasionally more serious events, such as convulsions, occur. This happens in about 1 in 1000 cases, six to eleven days after the injection. If your child develops worrying side effects you should contact your doctor.[3]

mmr vaccine immunisation

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Notes:

[1] Wikipedia.org
[2] cdc.gov
[3] medinfo.co.uk

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About Me:
I am a 277 days / 9 months, 5 days old baby