| The MMR vaccine protects against infection with the measles, mumps and rubella viruses. Infections with these viruses can be severe and can lead to death, plus pregnant women with rubella can have a miscarriage or a baby born with serious birth defects. Your child should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first is at his first birthday and a booster dose when he is four years old.
Children who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin or to a previous dose of MMR vaccine should not receive this vaccine. You should also not receive MMR vaccine if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant in the next three months.
Mild problems and side effects that your child may have 7-12 days after receiving the MMR vaccine include, fever, mild rash, swelling of the glands in the cheeks or neck. Your child may also have moderate problems, including febrile seizures, temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, or a temporary low platelet count. Severe problems are very rare, and can include a serious allergic reaction, and possibly (but unproven) deafness, long term seizures, coma or lowered consciousness or permanent brain damage.
 |
| Are your children's immunizations up to date? Use our Vaccine Schedule program to print a customized immunization schedule for your child. |
|
|
