MMR Immunisation

What does MMR mean?

MMR stands for measles, mumps and rubella. These are three different diseases which are caused by three different viruses. The vaccines used to immunise against measles, mumps and rubella are all combined into one injection - the MMR vaccine.

Even if you think your child has already had one of these diseases your child should still have MMR immunisation.

Timetable for MMR immunisation

• The first dose of vaccine is usually given at about 13 months. It is usually given at the same time as the pneumoccocal vaccine (given as a separate injection).
• A second dose is given three years after the first dose. This is usually given aged 3-5 years at the same time as the 'pre-school booster' of DTP-polio (given as a separate injection).
• If a dose is delayed for any reason, it can still be given at a later age. If necessary, MMR vaccine can be given at any age.

Most children are perfectly well after having a dose of MMR vaccine. However:

• Some children develop a mild fever (temperature) and a faint rash 7-10 days later. This should only last for 2-3 days and is of no concern.
• A few children develop a mild swollen face (like a mild form of mumps) about three weeks later. Any swelling will gradually go down.

Neither of these reactions is infectious or serious. If necessary, you can give paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease pain and fever. Serious reactions are very rare.

MMR, Autism and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Recently there has been speculation that the MMR vaccine may somehow cause autism or inflammatory bowel disease. Recent large studies have concluded that there is no evidence to link MMR immunisation to these conditions.

For further information on this issue see www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk

How serious are the illnesses prevented

Measles
This is a highly infectious illness caused by the measles virus. Beginning like a bad cold, the child then develops a fever and a rash. The child always feels miserable and may be unwell for a week or so with a bad cough and a high temperature. Complications occur in some cases.

Measles is much more serious than many people think. In fact, of all childhood infections, it is the one most likely to cause the complication of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), sometimes resulting in brain damage. It can also cause convulsions, ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia, which can lead to long-term lung troubles. Each year a number of children die from measles. In developing countries it is a major cause of childhood death.

Mumps
This infection typically causes inflammation and swelling of the parotid glands (glands under the ears that make saliva). It is usually a mild illness but complications occur in some cases such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), orchitis (inflammation of the testes), meningitis, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Mumps may cause permanent deafness in one ear. Mumps is equally dangerous for boys and girls.

There has been a marked increase in mumps cases since 2003 in the UK. In 2004 there were 8104 confirmed cases compared to only 502 in 2002. About 9 in 10 cases in 2004 were in people aged 15 years and older. People in this age group either had not been immunised or had not been fully immunised with the MMR vaccine. This is because when they were younger children they were too old when the vaccine was introduced, or had only one dose.

To counter this outbreak of mumps there have been a number of initiatives. For example, people aged 16–23 years old who have not previously been fully immunised have been offered MMR immunisation. This has been done via GP surgeries, via university campuses, etc.

Rubella (German Measles)
This is usually a mild illness with a rash. However, if a pregnant women has rubella, the virus is likely to cause serious damage to the unborn child. The child is likely to be born with multiple defects (Congenital Rubella Syndrome). The aim of rubella immunisation is to eliminate the rubella virus from the community as much as possible. Since rubella vaccination was introduced in 1970 there has been a dramatic fall in the number of babies born with the Congenital Rubella Syndrome.

Further information

Information on immunisation
www.immunisation.org.uk
From the NHS aimed at the general public.

MMR The facts
www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/
From the NHS aimed at the general public. This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.

Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (The Green Book)
www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/GreenBook/fs/en
From the Department of Health. Aimed at health professionals but of interest to all.

Remember Rubella
www.sense.org.uk/deafblindness/rubella/rubella.htm
Information about rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and immunisation against rubella.

© EMIS and PIP 2006   Updated: October 2006   PRODIGY Validated