Baby's first year : The MMR Vaccine

A TO Z OF COMMON CONCERNS
- MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella (german measles). Although these illnesses are most often mild in nature, they can develop into serious complications which can be life-threatening.

All children in the UK are given two doses of MMR vaccine as part of the immunisation program. One dose is given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose is given at 3-5 years. Two doses are given to ensure that your child is well-protected against measles, mumps and rubella by the time he starts school.

Children react differently to the MMR vaccine. Some children become feverish and develop a rash (similar to measles) about a week after the vaccine. In rare cases, your child may also develop a mild form of mumps about three weeks after the vaccination. This is not serious and your child is not infectious during this time. Sometimes, your child may develop a rash similar to rubella (German measles). Consult your GP.

The MMR vaccine has been linked with autism, Crohn's disease and encephalitis but sensitive tests and extensive research has proved that there is no such link.

The MMR vaccine is prepared in egg but can still be given to children allergic to eggs. If your child has had a serious allergic reaction after eating egg or egg-containing products, do inform your GP before the vaccination as arrangements can then be made to administer the vaccination in safe conditions.

The stats as presented in the Metro on 6 February, 2002

MMR VACCINE

Benefits: Up to 95 per cent of children become immune to measles and mumps and 97 to 99 per cent to rubella after the first of two doses.
Risks: One study has linked it to autism and bowel disorders - a claim denied by most experts and the Government. One in 1,000 children who have the MMR suffers convulsions, one in 100,000 gets a severe allergic reaction and one in 1 million contracts meningitis. However, there have been no deaths.

SINGLE VACCINE

Benefits: These are much disputed. Opponents of the MMR jab say it removes any risk of autism and bowel cancer associated with the triple jab. They claim MMR causes autism by overloading the immune system.
Risks: Children are left unprotected between jabs and run the risk of serious complications if they catch the disease. There is also the trauma of children having six injections instead of two.

RISKS FROM NO VACCINE

Measles: One in 25 children with measles goes on to develop pneumonia/ bronchitis, one in 1,000 gets meningitis /encephalitis and one in 2,500 to 5,000 dies.
Mumps: One in 30 develops pancreatitis and one in 200 to 5,000 goes on to develop meningitis or encephalitis.
Rubella: One in 3,000 suffers bleeding disorders and one in 6,000 cases leads to encephalitis. It can cause deafness and brain damage in unborn babies.

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