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What is the full form of MMR?
MMR stands for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. This is a vaccination for measles, mumps & rubella. This vaccination is a combination of three live attenuated viruses. Maurice Hilleman in the 1960s created MMR to avoid the following three diseases:
- Measles: Also known as rubeola, it is a contagious respiratory tract viral disease. Its early symptoms include fever, dry cough, rash, runny nose, and red watery eyes. If not given timely treatment, it can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, and even death.
- Mumps: A contagious (through saliva, nasal secretions, and near physical contact ) viral infection caused by a virus.
- Rubella: Also known as three-day measles or German measles, it is a contagious illness caused by the rubella virus. Its early symptoms include rashes, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
Who should not receive the MMR vaccine?
Following are the people who should refrain from taking the MMR vaccine:
- Pregnant women should not receive this vaccine and females should not become pregnant one month after taking the vaccine.
- People who are seriously ill should avoid taking the vaccine until they are better.
- People allergic to neomycin or gelatin should not take MMR.
Common Side Effects
The first dose of MMR is given at the age of one followed by the second dose at the age of four or five years to those who cannot develop immunity after the first dose. Following are some side effects of MMR:
- Headache
- Mild rashes
- Fever
- Sore arm from the vaccination
- Painful and stiff joints
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting.