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Why Japan Banned MMR Vaccine
by JENNY HOPE, Daily Mail
Japan stopped using the MMR vaccine seven years ago - virtually the only developed nation to turn its back on the jab.
Government health chiefs claim a four-year experiment with it has had serious financial and human costs.
Of the 3,969 medical compensation claims relating to vaccines in the last 30 years, a quarter had been made by those badly affected by the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, they say.
The triple jab was banned in Japan in 1993 after 1.8 million children had been given two types of MMR and a record number developed non-viral meningitis and other adverse reactions.
Official figures show there were three deaths while eight children were left with permanent handicaps ranging from damaged hearing and blindness to loss of control of limbs.
The government reconsidered using MMR in 1999 but decided it was safer to keep the ban and continue using individual vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella.
The British Department of Health said Japan had used a type of MMR which included a strain of mumps vaccine that had particular problems and was discontinued in the UK because of safety concerns.
The Japanese government realised there was a problem with MMR soon after its introduction in April 1989 when vaccination was compulsory. Parents who refused had to pay a small fine.
An analysis of vaccinations over a three-month period showed one in every 900 children was experiencing problems. This was over 2,000 times higher than the expected rate of one child in every 100,000 to 200,000.
The ministry switched to another MMR vaccine in October 1991 but the incidence was still high with one in 1,755 children affected. No separate record has been kept of claims involving autism.
Tests on the spinal fluid of 125 children affected were carried out to see if the vaccine had got into the children's nervous systems. They found one confirmed case and two further suspected cases.
In 1993, after a public outcry fuelled by worries over the flu vaccine, the government dropped the requirement for children to be vaccinated against measles or rubella.
Dr Hiroki Nakatani, director of the Infectious Disease Division at Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare said that giving individual vaccines cost twice as much as MMR 'but we believe it is worth it'.
In some areas parents have to pay, while in others health authorities foot the bill.
However, he admitted the MMR scare has left its mark. With vaccination rates low, there have been measles outbreaks which have claimed 94 lives in the last five years.
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Q: What is measles?
A: Measles is a highly contagious, serious, viral respiratory illness that lives in the nose and throat of infectious people. Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing, and the virus has the ability to live in the air for nearly two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes, thus infecting mass numbers of defenseless people in a short period of time.
Q: What are the symptoms of measles?
A: A person can present no symptoms of measles for nearly four days while infected. The symptoms of measles generally appear about 7-14 days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with high fevers, coughing, a runny nose and red, infected eyes. Two to three days after symptoms arise, tiny white spots may appear inside one's mouth. Three to five days after symptoms arise, a rash of flat red spots appears across the body, typically starting from the top of the hairline and making its way down the body.
Q: How can measles be prevented?
A: The best protection against measles is receiving the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine is most commonly given to children between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second booster dose between 4 and 6 years of age. UAB follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations, which recommends that all children get two doses of MMR. Adults who do not have evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine. One dose of MMR proves to be 93% effective and two doses of MMR prove to be up to 97 percent effective in preventing measles. Currently, there is no antiviral drug to treat measles, adding to the severity of the disease.
Q: What do I do if I think I/my child has measles?
A: If you have reason to believe that you or your child are presenting any measles-related symptoms, do not visit any healthcare clinic unless instructed by a physician. Call your primary care physician to see if they recommend you coming in for examination; if so, you may be asked to enter through an isolated entrance to minimize risk of contagions spreading.
If you are a:
Q: How do I know if I am vaccinated?
A: You should have immunization records to indicate that you did or did not receive the MMR vaccine. You can call your pediatrician or primary care doctor to ask for your records. If you are unable to locate those records, you can get your titer checked. This is a way to detect the amount of antibodies in a person's blood, which helps doctors know your immunity status. It is done through a standard and simple blood draw. From there, your physician can then determine if you are a candidate for another MMR dose.
Q: Am I at risk for getting measles?
A: If you have traveled internationally, are a healthcare worker or know that you are unvaccinated, you have a higher risk of contracting measles. To prevent measles, two doses of MMR are recommended by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Q: Do I need a booster MMR shot?
A: Born in 1957 or earlier: You are presumed to be immune due to prior exposure. If worried, you can check your titer to see your status. You may be able to get another dose of MMR.
Born from 1958 or later: You can get 1 dose of MMR, if no contraindications/factors to withhold medical treatment.
Born 1989 or later: You are presumed to have received 2 doses of MMR. No additional vaccine is needed.
Q: Will it be bad for me if I get a booster MMR shot, just to be safe?
A: You cannot be over-vaccinated, so experts recommend getting an additional dose of MMR if you are unsure of your status.
Q: I have heard that the MMR vaccine is bad for my child. Is that true?
A: There is no link between receiving the MMR vaccine and autism spectrum disorder. MMR is a safe and effective vaccine that can protect children and adults alike from highly contagious and sometimes deadly diseases.
Q: I am pregnant, can I get the MMR vaccine?
A: A person should not get the vaccine if they are severely immune-compromised, are pregnant or have experienced an allergic reaction to a previous MMR vaccine. They can talk with their health care provider about options for their specific situation.
Level 3 Immunization Requirements
All students registered in a Clinical Program is required to have a physical examination. This examination must be signed by a health care provider. This physical must be recorded on the UAB Student Health Physical Form
Given the nature of their work, students engaged in health professional training programs could have a higher risk of contracting Rubeola, Rubella, Mumps, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Varicella, Tuberculosis, Pertussis, and Hepatitis B. All UAB students in the Joint Health Sciences programs and in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Public Health, Nursing, and Health Professions are required to be immunized as follows:
The UAB Student Health Services will provide such immunizations and titer testing on a fee-for-service basis for any student who needs to meet the UAB immunization or titer requirements. Students may choose to fulfil these requirements at your local health department or a private physician.
ExceptionsExceptions to this policy may be made in limited circumstances for students who can document medical and/or other contraindications to the vaccine. Requests for exceptions must be submitted to UAB Student Health Services for consideration and approval.
Students enrolled in online classes only, with no on-campus classes, are exempted from these requirements.
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