It's time for my baby's MMR - what do I need to know?
Firstly you need to know that you are doing the right thing by thinking about vaccinating your child against Measles, Mumps and Rubella. These are dangerous diseases, for your children as well as for unborn babies in your community.
The MMR is given at 13 months and then again between the ages of three years four months and five years. It is given as a single shot, although separate vaccines do exist.
Here is a list of 10 Top Myths and 10 Top Truths about MMR which you may find helpful (Health Promotion England, 40 Eastbourne Terrace, London W2 3QR, www.hpe.org.uk www.immunisation.org.uk)
* Myth: Getting protection by catching the disease is better than having the vaccine.
* Truth: MMR immunisation is the safest way for you to protect your child against these serious diseases, as infants, young children and their families are particularly vulnerable.
* Myth: The vaccine contains three viruses; given and the same time this is too much for a young p erson.
* Truth: Over 500 million doses of MMR have been used in over 90 countries around the world since the 1970s. The World Health Organisation recognises the MMR as highly effective with and outstanding safety record.
* Myth: Other countries around the world recommend that MMR be given as three separate vaccines.
* Truth: NO country in the world recommends this.
* Myth: Measles, Mumps and Rubella are rare in the UK so there is no need to immunise.
* Truth: Unimmunised children increase the chance that others will get the diseases. For example before MMR pregnant women could catch Rubella form their own children. Currently the incidence of measles and mumps particularly are on the increase with small epidemics occurring.
*Myth: MMR causes autism and bowel disease.
*Truth: The evidence is that MMR vaccine does not cause autism or inflammatory bowel disease. There are now numerous studies that do not support this link.
* Myth: There was a scientific paper that showed a real link between MMR and these diseases.
* Truth: The Wakefield et al. Lancet 1998 study actually said "we did not prove an association between MMR vaccine and the syndrome described" and none of the studies undertaken since have proven a link.
* Myth: Giving the MMR vaccines separately reduces the risks of side effects.
* Truth: Single vaccines actually put the child and their families at increased risk. The combined vaccine is safer as it reduces the risk of the children becoming infected while waiting for full immunisation cover. Furthermore three injections are more painful than one.
* Myth: The vaccine was not properly tested before it was licensed.
* Truth: The normal procedure for licensing was used for the MMR and the vaccine was thoroughly tested before being introduced into the UK routine immunisation programme in 1988.
* Myth: My child has already received one dose so does not need another one.
* Truth: The two doses of MMR vaccine are needed to give children the best protection before they go to school. 90% of those who did not respond to the first dose will be protected by the second, and those with low antibodies after the first dose will be boosted by the second.
* Myth: My son doesn't need protecting against Rubella; my daughter doesn't need protecting against Mumps.
* Truth: There are very few children who have a true contraindication to receiving the MMR vaccine (for example true anaphylaxis to a vaccine or part of its contents).
If on the day of the vaccine your child has a minor illness without a fever, you can go ahead and let your child be vaccinated. If your child does have a fever then you should post-pone until this has resolved.
The side effects you can anticipate are swelling, redness and tenderness around the site of the injection. Smaller children can get a fever for 24 hours and become very grumpy, and for this you can give them paracetamol or Nurofen. If you are concerned you should consult your doctor.
