Everything You Should Know About MMR Vaccine and Measles

MMR Vaccine helps protect against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles), viral diseases that can have serious consequences.

There are two options available for protecting children between the ages of 12 months and 12 years old. Parents can decide between using MMR Vaccine — the varicella vaccine with the trivalent measles, mumps, and rubella or using MMRV Vaccine, a single quadrivalent measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.

The MMRV vaccine results in one fewer injection than MMR vaccine but unless the parent expresses a preference for MMRV vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine should be administered as separate injections for the first dose in children 12 — 47 months of age.

MMR Vaccine Facts

MMR vaccine may be given to children 12 months through 12 years of age. Usually, 2 doses are recommended:

• First dose: from 12 through 15 months of age
• Second dose: from 4 through 6 years of age

Children can receive the second dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose. The third dose of MMR vaccine may be recommended in certain mumps outbreak situations. Infants 6 to 11 months old should have 1 dose of MMR shot before traveling to another country. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.

There are no known risks to getting MMR vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.

Is the MMR Vaccine Safe?

Yes, the MMR shot is very safe and highly effective at preventing measles, mumps, and rubella. It can have side effects but most children who get the MMR shot have no side effects.

What are the Side Effects of the MMR Vaccine?

Most children do not have any side effects from the MMR Vaccine shot. The side effects that do sometimes occur are usually very mild — fever, rash, soreness or swelling on the spot where the shot was given. Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints can occur mostly in teens and adults. More serious side effects are very rare and may include high fever that could cause a seizure.

Why Should My Child Get the MMR Vaccine Shot?

The MMR Vaccine shot presents the best possible way to protect your child against measles, mumps, and rubella. All children should get the MMR shot.

• MMR Shot is safe protection for your child from potentially serious diseases.
• It prevents your child from getting a high fever and uncomfortable rash from measles.
• It keeps your child from missing childcare or school and keeps you from missing work to care for your sick child.

Who Should Not Get MMR Vaccine?

MMR Vaccine is a live, weakened virus. This is why it shouldn’t be given to children that have gotten any other vaccines in the past 4 weeks and to children with:

• Any severe, life-threatening allergies.
• A weakened immune system due to disease or medical treatment.
• A mild illness, such as a cold.

How Should I Care for My Child After Immunisation?

Up to 48 hours after having the vaccine shot it is normal for your child to feel upset. The best thing to do is to comfort your baby:

• If the injection area is flushed, apply a clean cold cloth to it for about 5 to 10 minutes which can soothe your child.
• Give them an extra cuddle.
• Offer your child extra cool drinks or breastfeed more often.
• Take your child for a walk.

What is Measles?

Measles is a severe, highly contagious respiratory disease in the lungs and breathing tubes.  This is a very dangerous disease, especially for babies and young children. Sometimes, measles is called “red measles” or rubeola and shouldn’t be confused with German measles (another name for rubella).

For some children, measles can lead to pneumonia, lifelong brain damage, deafness, and even death. The incubation period ranges from 7 to 21 days from exposure to onset of symptoms.

Almost anyone who hasn’t had the MMR vaccine shot will get measles if exposed to the measles virus.

What are the Symptoms of Measles?

Measles starts with a fever that can get very high. Some of the other symptoms that also may occur are:

• A cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes
• A rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spread to the rest of the body
• Diarrhea
• Ear infection
• Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)

How is Measles Spread?

Measles is very contagious. It can spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Another person can catch measles just by being in a room where an infected person has been, up to 2 hours after that person is gone. Almost anyone who hasn’t had the MMR vaccine shot will get measles if exposed to the measles virus.

How to Treat Measles

Measles infection is very preventable following safe routine vaccine recommendations. The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective at treating measles. Two doses of this vaccine are effective about 97% at preventing measles while one dose is effective about 93%.

Children may also get MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). This vaccine is only licensed for use in children who are 12 months through 12 years of age.

Schedule Immunisation for Your Child at Nuheights Pediatrics

Nuheights Pediatrics encourages parents to schedule an MMR vaccine visit if:

• a child is over 12 months old and has not yet received one MMR vaccine
• a child is over 4 years old and has not received a second MMR vaccine

If you are concerned about direct exposure to measles and the child exposed is under 12 months old or under-immunized, please contact us. No additional steps are needed if your child is maintaining the recommended vaccine schedule and has already had their 12-month check-up.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
                 Healthy Children
                 NJ Department of Health

Mary K. Thomas, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mary Thomas was born and raised near Detroit, Michigan. She attended Kalamazoo College, graduating cum laude with dual majors in Biology and Spanish Language. While earning her medical doctorate at The Chicago Medical School, she worked at the distinguished Cook County Hospital in both General Pediatrics and The Department of Child Abuse and Neglect. There, working with the underprivileged children of Chicago, she fell in love with Pediatric Medicine. Following graduation, she began a pediatric residency at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center in Manhattan.

Throughout her residency training and while serving as Chief Resident, Dr. Mary K. Thomas continued to work with indigent and immigrant children and their families. She was an integral member of the renowned St. Vincent’s Cystic Fibrosis Center and served on its Charity Board. Her work earned her the John Z. Jacoby Award for exemplary care of patients with CF. Dr. Thomas was an attending physician at The Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in Manhattan, caring for children with rare genetic disorders and complex chronic diseases before ultimately moving to New Jersey with her growing family.

Dr. Mary Thomas has been a busy pediatrician in New Jersey since 2008 and believes that well care and good preventative practices play the biggest role in preventing illness. She also believes in taking into account how psychosocial influences, as well as illness, play a role in the wellness of a child. Her clinical focuses include pediatric dermatology and rashes, caring for children and families with special needs including LGBTQ youth and children with disabilities. Dr. Thomas also serves as Medical Director of Armada Health, helping patients with challenging diagnoses get to the right specialists to treat their disease. Dr. Thomas currently resides in Montclair with her husband and three children. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and cheering on the sidelines of her children’s activities.