It is important to build immunity of children against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella by giving them MMR vaccine. Read on to learn more about the importance and schedule of MMR vaccine. Measles, mumps and rubella are potentially serious viral diseases. They are highly contagious, easily spread through the air when an infection person coughs or sneezes. You can also get infected by sharing food, cigarettes, or by kissing the infected individuals.Measles is caused by a paramyxovirus, causing fever, runny nose, rash, cough, and eye irritation. It also leads to ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, brain damage, and also death.Mumps is also caused by a paramyxovirus, causing swelling in the salivary or parotid glands, fever, headaches, leading to encephalitis, meningitis, and permanent deafness in serious conditions. In the men, mumps can cause infertility by infecting the testicles.Rubella is caused by a togavirus, which causes a mild rash on the face, swelling of small joints, swelling of glands behind the ears, and fever. If it affects a pregnant woman, it can cause serious birth defects in her unborn baby, such as eye problems, deafness, heart defects, brain damage, and liver damage, in addition to miscarriage or stillbirth.The best recommended vaccine against these dangerous viral illnesses is Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. In this articleHow Does MMR Vaccine Work?What Is the Recommended Dosage and Administration?What Is the Recommended Schedule?Who Should Avoid Getting MMR Vaccine?What Are the Possible Side-Effects?How Does MMR Vaccine Work?MMR vaccine has weakened versions of live viruses. It works by triggering the immune system to produce antibodies against them. The immune system will identify the virus and immediately produce antibodies against it if you or your child is exposed to any such virus in future. The vaccine also prevents spreading the virus.What Is the Recommended Dosage and Administration?Two doses are all that you need to ward off measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm.What Is the Recommended Schedule?Let us take a look at the schedule recommended for giving MMR vaccination. For Infants and ChildrenFor babies and preschoolers, first dose is given at 12-18 months of age followed by the second dose at 4-6 years of age. For the first few months, babies are protected by the antibodies passed from their mother, and they do not respond to MMR vaccine up to 6 months. MMR vaccine can sometimes be administered to babies who are exposed to measles virus from 6 months of age.For Older ChildrenCatch-up MMR vaccination is recommended for children up to 18 years of age who have missed or are partially vaccinated.For AdultsTwo doses of MMR vaccine is advised for adults who are at risk of developing measles, suppose if they are international travelers or passengers on a cruise ship, or working in medical facility, etc.For Pregnant WomenPregnant women should not take MMR vaccine. It is not advisable to get pregnant for 28 days after you are vaccinated with MMR vaccine.Who Should Avoid Getting MMR Vaccine? MMR vaccine should not be taken by the individuals who are coping with following circumstances.Has a life-threatening allergic reaction to previous dose of MMR vaccineSeverely or moderately illHas an allergic reaction to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycinDuring pregnancyGot measles earlier as in that case a life-long immunity is produced in the bodyChecking with doctor is advisable in case if the individual is taking steroids, has cancer, is immunocompromised or has blood disorderWhat Are the Possible Side-Effects? MMR vaccine is a very safe vaccine. Soreness and redness at the site of the shot is usual. Mild fever, swollen glands, and rash are rare. Seizure, low platelet count or bleeding, encephalitis, joint pain, etc. are rarest. In case if rare or rarest symptoms are observed, it is a must to consult paediatrician immediately. MMR vaccine is a highly efficient vaccine with more than 90% efficacy with a booster given in form of MMR. Even if a patient who is vaccinated develops measles, it is usually mild with quick recovery and without any serious complications. If you have any concern, you must talk to your healthcare practitioner. What is the significance of MMR vaccine? When is MMR vaccine given to babies? What should be done if MMR vaccinations are missed? Discuss here.
It is important to build immunity of children against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella by giving them MMR vaccine. Read on to learn more about the importance and schedule of MMR vaccine.
Measles, mumps and rubella are potentially serious viral diseases. They are highly contagious, easily spread through the air when an infection person coughs or sneezes. You can also get infected by sharing food, cigarettes, or by kissing the infected individuals.
Measles is caused by a paramyxovirus, causing fever, runny nose, rash, cough, and eye irritation. It also leads to ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures, brain damage, and also death.Mumps is also caused by a paramyxovirus, causing swelling in the salivary or parotid glands, fever, headaches, leading to encephalitis, meningitis, and permanent deafness in serious conditions. In the men, mumps can cause infertility by infecting the testicles.Rubella is caused by a togavirus, which causes a mild rash on the face, swelling of small joints, swelling of glands behind the ears, and fever. If it affects a pregnant woman, it can cause serious birth defects in her unborn baby, such as eye problems, deafness, heart defects, brain damage, and liver damage, in addition to miscarriage or stillbirth.
The best recommended vaccine against these dangerous viral illnesses is Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
MMR vaccine has weakened versions of live viruses. It works by triggering the immune system to produce antibodies against them. The immune system will identify the virus and immediately produce antibodies against it if you or your child is exposed to any such virus in future. The vaccine also prevents spreading the virus.
What Is the Recommended Dosage and Administration?
Two doses are all that you need to ward off measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm.
What Is the Recommended Schedule?
Let us take a look at the schedule recommended for giving MMR vaccination.
For Infants and Children
For babies and preschoolers, first dose is given at 12-18 months of age followed by the second dose at 4-6 years of age. For the first few months, babies are protected by the antibodies passed from their mother, and they do not respond to MMR vaccine up to 6 months. MMR vaccine can sometimes be administered to babies who are exposed to measles virus from 6 months of age.
For Older Children
Catch-up MMR vaccination is recommended for children up to 18 years of age who have missed or are partially vaccinated.
For Adults
Two doses of MMR vaccine is advised for adults who are at risk of developing measles, suppose if they are international travelers or passengers on a cruise ship, or working in medical facility, etc.
For Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should not take MMR vaccine. It is not advisable to get pregnant for 28 days after you are vaccinated with MMR vaccine.
Who Should Avoid Getting MMR Vaccine?
MMR vaccine should not be taken by the individuals who are coping with following circumstances.
Has a life-threatening allergic reaction to previous dose of MMR vaccine
Severely or moderately ill
Has an allergic reaction to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin
During pregnancy
Got measles earlier as in that case a life-long immunity is produced in the body
Checking with doctor is advisable in case if the individual is taking steroids, has cancer, is immunocompromised or has blood disorder
What Are the Possible Side-Effects?
MMR vaccine is a very safe vaccine. Soreness and redness at the site of the shot is usual. Mild fever, swollen glands, and rash are rare. Seizure, low platelet count or bleeding, encephalitis, joint pain, etc. are rarest. In case if rare or rarest symptoms are observed, it is a must to consult paediatrician immediately.
MMR vaccine is a highly efficient vaccine with more than 90% efficacy with a booster given in form of MMR. Even if a patient who is vaccinated develops measles, it is usually mild with quick recovery and without any serious complications. If you have any concern, you must talk to your healthcare practitioner.
What is the significance of MMR vaccine? When is MMR vaccine given to babies? What should be done if MMR vaccinations are missed? Discuss here.
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It is important to build immunity of children against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella by giving them MMR vaccine. Read on to learn more about the importance and schedule of MMR vaccine. 
