Measles/Mumps/Rubella Vaccination (MMR)

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➤ What are measles, mumps and rubella? - Measles, mumps, and rubella are diseases caused by viruses. The viruses are easily spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can become infected when you breathe in this air or touch a surface contaminated with the viruses. The viruses can also spread through contact with an infected person's saliva when sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, or by kissing. - Measles, also known as red measles, causes fever, rash, cold-like symptoms, and red, inflamed eyes that can be sensitive to light. It can lead to infections of the ear or lungs (pneumonia). More serious complications such as encephalitis, which is a swelling of the brain, can occur in 1 in 1,000 people. Encephalitis can lead to seizures, deafness, or permanent brain damage. About 1 person in 3,000 with measles can die from complications. - Mumps causes fever, headache, and swelling of the salivary glands and cheeks. More serious complications include encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain. About 1 in 20 people with mumps get mumps meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain. Mumps can also cause temporary deafness. Permanent deafness occurs in less than 1 in 20,000 people with mumps. Adults and teens with mumps can have painful swelling of the testicles (about 1 in 4 cases) or ovaries (about 1 in 20 cases). - Rubella, also known as German measles, can cause serious complications and birth defects in an unborn baby including deafness, eye problems, heart defects, liver damage, and brain damage. This is called congenital rubella syndrome. It occurs in about 9 out of 10 babies born to women who become infected with the virus in the first 3 months of their pregnancy. Rubella can also cause miscarriage or stillbirth. ➤ Who should get the MMR vaccine? The MMR vaccine is given to children as a series of 2 doses. The first dose is given at 12 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. For children who also need protection against chickenpox (varicella), the second dose of vaccine can be given as the combined Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (MMRV) vaccine. ➤ The MMR vaccine is also provided free of charge to the following people: - Infants aged 6 to 11 months will be traveling to countries where there is measles disease or are known to have been in contact with someone with measles. - Women of childbearing age - Older children and adults who have not been immunized or do not have evidence of immunity