IMMUNIZATION – YOUR BEST PROTECTION

Also see Q&A for Parents and Caregivers 

Vaccines are the best way to protect against some very serious diseases. Protect against these three diseases; measles, mumps and rubella, with this vaccine.

In Ontario, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is publicly funded for:

• children on or after their first birthday and at 18 months of age, however vaccine is approved for children ≥1 year of age.
• adolescents and adults born after 1970 who have never had the disease and only received one dose of the vaccine

What is measles?

• It is a disease caused by a virus and is also known as “red measles”
• Measles begins with a fever, runny nose, a cough and very red eyes. You may think your child has a cold. In a few days, a rash begins around the face and spreads to the chest, arms and legs. The eyes may hurt in bright light.
• Measles can cause ear infection or pneumonia 
• Out of 1,000 children who get measles, one will also get a swelling of the brain called encephalitis. This can lead to seizures, hearing loss, mental retardation or death.
• There is no treatment for measles

What is mumps?

• It is a disease caused by a virus most common in children, although adults can get it too
• Mumps causes fever, headache and swelling of the salivary glands (inside the mouth). This swelling is painful and makes the cheeks puff out
• Mumps can cause meningitis, a serious disease that infects the fluid around the brain and spinal cord as well as deafness
• Men who get mumps may become sterile (not able to have children). For both men and women, mumps can be very painful

What is rubella?

• It is a disease caused by a virus and is also known as “German measles”
• Serious complications to the unborn fetus may occur if pregnant women contract rubella while they are pregnant
• Children develop a low fever and a mild cold. A rash may follow and glands in the neck may swell up. The sickness lasts about 3 days.

How is measles, mumps and rubella spread?

It is spread by close contact between people. Sneezing and coughing can spread the diseases. 

How safe is the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine?

Vaccines are among the safest of modern medicine. The only individuals who should NOT receive this vaccine are those who:

• are ill with a fever or infection
• have had a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) to a past dose of this vaccine or any of its components (gelatin, an antibiotic called neomycin
• have a disease or are taking medication that lowers the body’s ability to fight infections
• have received gamma globulin within the past three to 12 months
• are pregnant.  If a woman receives the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and then discovers she is pregnant, she should call her doctor.  Women should avoid pregnancy for three months following vaccination
• have received the chickenpox vaccine, Japanese Encephalitis and Yellow Fever vaccine within the past month
• are scheduled to receive a Tb skin test within the next month

What are the side effects that I should watch for after vaccination?

Serious side effects from the vaccine are very rare (1:1,000,000). Most children and adults have no problems following vaccination. Possible side effects include:  

• Redness and soreness where the needle was given
• A rash developing 5 to 12 days following vaccination.  The rash is not known to spread to other people and it may last for 1 to 3 days
• Fever in the first 24 hours, or 5 to 12 days following vaccination
• Febrile seizures as a result of a prior fever, not of the vaccine
• Swelling of the neck glands for several days following vaccination
• Meningitis (an infection of the lining of the brain) occurs very rarely.  Call your doctor immediately if a high fever, bad headache or sore neck develops
• Joint pain and swelling starting 1 to 3 weeks following vaccination.  The joint pain and swelling last only a few days. Long lasting joint pain rarely occurs
• Allergic reactions (ie. hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing) very rarely.  If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately

If you choose to receive this vaccine today, it is required that you wait 12 weeks before donating blood.

For more information on this vaccine, contact Public Health and ask to speak to a Nurse in the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program.