All kids should get the MMR vaccination. MMR is an abbreviation for measles, mumps, and rubella. This vaccination protects against three potentially fatal infections. It is a two-part immunization, and most states need proof that your children have had it before they can start school. You may also need the MMR injection if you are an older person who has not had the vaccine or the illnesses.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Be Vaccinated With MMR Vaccine?
MMR vaccination is a two-shot series that is typically administered during childhood. The first shot must be given to a kid when they are 12-15 months old, and the next when they are 4-6 years old.
Moreover, you may acquire the MMR vaccination as an adult if you are still determining if you had the illnesses or the immunizations (before 1971, it was given in three separate doses). Talk to your healthcare provider if:
- You intend to or may get pregnant.
- You are employed at a medical center.
- You were born after the year 1956. (If you were born before or in 1956, you are believed to be immune since many kids were infected then.)
You should not be vaccinated if:
- You have a neomycin or gelatin allergy.
- You have a significant adverse response after your first MMR vaccination.
- You might be pregnant or intend to get pregnant during the next four weeks (If you are breastfeeding, the vaccination is safe)
- Your immune system is compromised due to cancer drugs, AIDS, or corticosteroids.
How Is the MMR Vaccine Administered?
A single injection administers the MMR vaccination in two doses into the upper arm muscle or thigh. Two doses of vaccination are required to guarantee complete protection.
Side Effects and Risks of MMR Vaccination
The MMR vaccination has no known negative effects on most individuals. Some people develop a fever or slight redness and discomfort when they have the injection.
Other potential issues are less prevalent. They are as follows:
- Rash
- Seizure
- Bleeding and low platelet count
- Fever
- Swollen glands
- Joint stiffness or pain
- Encephalitis
Some have hypothesized that the MMR vaccination has been connected to autism spectrum disease throughout the years. One study maintains that there is no evidence to support that theory, and scores of studies have shown no link. The vaccine’s advantages in illness prevention greatly exceed any possible risks.
