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About the Vaccines Benefits of the vaccines Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. Because most children get the MMR vaccines, there are now many fewer cases of these diseases. There would be many more cases if we stopped vaccinating children. MMR schedule Most children should have a total of two MMR vaccines. They should have MMR at: 12-15 months of age 4-6 years of age of before middle school or junior high school Other vaccines may be given at the same time as the MMR. Who should get MMR vaccine? Most doctors recommend that almost all young children get MMR vaccine. But there are some cautions. Tell your doctor or nurse it the person getting the vaccine is less able to fight serious infections because of: -a disease she /he was born with -treatment with drugs such as long-term steroids -any kind of cancer -cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs Also: -People with AIDS or HIV infection usually should get the MMR vaccine. -Pregnant women should wait until after the pregnancy for the MMR vaccine. -People with a serious allergy to eggs or the drug neomycin should tell the doctor or nurse. If you are not sure, ask the doctor or nurse. Tell your doctor or nurse if the person getting the vaccine: -ever had a serious allergic reaction or other problem after getting MMR -now has moderate or severe illness -has ever had a seizure -has a parent, brother, or sister who has had seizures -has gotten immune globulin or other blood products (such as a transfusion) during the past several months If you are not sure, ask your doctor or nurse. What are the risks from MMR vaccine? As with any medicine, there are very small risks that serious problems, even death, could occur after taking a vaccine. The risks from the vaccine are much smaller than the risk from the diseases if people stopped using the vaccine. Almost all people who get MMR have no problems from it. Mild or moderate problems -Soon after the vaccination, there may be soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given. -1-2 weeks after the first dose, there may be: -rash (5-15 out of every 100 doses) -fever of 103 or higher (5-15 out of every 100 doses). This usually lasts 1-2 days. -swelling of the glands in the cheeks, neck, or under the jaw -a seizure (jerking and staring spells) usually caused by fever. This is rare. - 1-3 weeks after the first dose, there may be:
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (non-aspirin) may be used to reduce fever and soreness. Severe Problems These problems happen very rarely: -serious allergic reaction -low number of platelets (a type of blood cell) that can lead to bleeding problems. This is almost always temporary. -long seizures, decreased consciousness, or coma Problems following the MMR are much less common after the second dose. What to do if there is a serious reaction: -Call a doctor or get the person to a doctor right away. -Write down what happened and the date and time it happened. -Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Report form or call: (800) 822-7967 (toll-free) The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program gives compensation (payment) for persons thought to be injured by vaccines. For details call: (800) 338-2382 If you want to learn more, ask your doctor or nurse. She/he can give you the vaccine package insert of suggest other sources of information. | |||||||||||||||||||||
