MMR Vaccine
Context:
3 infants die after MMR vaccination in Karnataka
Concept:
- The MMR vaccine is a vaccine against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
- The First Dose is generally given to children around 9 months to 15 months of age
- The Second Dose at 15 months to 6 years of age, with at least 4 weeks between the doses.
- After two doses, 97% of people are protected against measles, 88% against mumps, and at least 97% against rubella.
- The vaccine is also recommended for—
a. those who do not have evidence of immunity,
b. those with well-controlled HIV/AIDS, and
c. within 72 hours of exposure to measles among those who are incompletely immunized.
- It is given by injection.
Measles:
- It is a highly contagious viral disease.
- It is particularly dangerous for children from the economically weaker background, as it attacks malnourished children and those with reduced immunity.
- It can cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia.
Rubella:
- It is also called German Measles.
- Rubella is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults.
- Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause death or congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) which causes irreversible birth defects.
Mumps:
- Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a Paramyxovirus.
- This infectious disease primarily affects the salivary glands, located below the ears.
- It is also called as the parotid glands, which are mainly responsible for the production of saliva.
- Mumps disease is usually transmitted through the infected saliva, nasal secretions or respiratory droplets, and close contact with the infected person.
- This viral infection is commonly seen in children and is minor but in adults it can be complicated.
- Vaccination is the only way to prevent mumps.