List of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
The Truth About The MMR Vaccine
by NAOMI COLEMAN, femail.Co.Uk
Many people are confused about the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and how effective it really is. Here we give you the latest facts and figures.
Facts about the MMR vaccine:
What is the MMR vaccine? The vaccine has been developed to produce an immune response strong enough to protect children against the disease.
How effective is the vaccine? 90-95% of people will be protected against measles after the first dose.
When should a child be vaccinated? The first dose should be given by injection at 12-15 months old. The second dose by injection between 3-5 years old.
Are there any children who should not be immunised? Very few children cannot have the vaccine. Even children with severe allergies can receive immunisation. Some children who are on medication should not receive the vaccine. You should always let your doctor know first.
How long does a child remain immune after vaccination? Children will remain immune for at least 27 years.
Is the vaccine more dangerous than the disease? The Department of Health recommends the vaccine. Recent evidence shows that measles can damage the immune system.
Vaccine availability: In the UK all children between the age of 12-18 months are offered the MMR vaccination which will protect them from measles, mumps and rubella.
Measles and pregnancy: If you are planning a pregnancy, you should make sure that you have a measles vaccination unless you have had the disease in the past. If you have had it once you won't get it again. Having measles during a pregnancy can result in an infection in the unborn child, and in the worst case death of the baby.
{"status":"error","code":"499","payload":"Asset id not found: readcomments comments with assetId=12263, assetTypeId=1"}MMR Vaccine: What Does It Protect Against Other Than Measles?
As the measles outbreak in Texas spreads, attention is turning to what is commonly called the MMR vaccine.
The vaccine is the only way to prevent measles, but it also prevents other illnesses. The other "M" stands for mumps, and the "R" stands for rubella.
Children can also get an MMRV vaccine, which adds protection against varicella, better known as chickenpox.
In the U.S., the MMR vaccine is given to children in two doses. The first dose, given between 12 months to 15 months of age, is 93% effective in preventing measles infection — a second dose between ages four and six boosts that effectiveness to 97%.
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What is mumps?Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus that affects the saliva glands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common signs are puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw, but other symptoms, including fever, headache and fatigue, can begin a few days before the swelling.
Most people with mumps recover completely within two weeks, but in rare cases, mumps can cause inflammation of the brain, testicles, ovaries or loss of hearing.
Related:Can you get the measles vaccine while pregnant?What is rubella?Rubella is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is also called German measles or three-day measles. In most people, rubella causes mild or no symptoms, but it can cause serious problems for unborn babies whose mothers become infected during pregnancy.
Rubella is not the same as measles, but the two illnesses share some signs and symptoms, such as the red rash, the Mayo Clinic explains. Rubella is caused by a different virus than measles, and it is not as infectious or as severe as measles.
A case of measles reported this week in Mexia, about 40 miles east of Waco, was a "false alarm," and was actually rubella, authorities said.
What is chickenpox?Chickenpox is highly contagious and known for itchy, blister-like spots. The illness usually lasts about four to seven days.
After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and can cause shingles later in life. Shingles is a painful, itchy rash that can cause long-term nerve pain or vision loss, depending on the location of the rash.
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