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Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine (MMR)
Priorix® and M-M-R II®
What is measles?
• Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease which
is caused by a virus.
• It is spread by cough and nasal droplets.
• About 1 out of 1,000 infected people develop an
inflammation of the brain. This may result in permanent
brain damage.
• Months or years later, 6-22/1,000,000 infected people
develop a progressive fatal brain disorder.
• About 1 out of 3,000 people with measles will die.
What is rubella?
• Rubella (German Measles) is usually a mild disease. It is
caused by a virus.
• Rubella is spread by nasal droplets.
• Rubella can cause serious problems in an unborn child. A
woman who gets rubella during the first three months of
pregnancy has a 30% chance of her child being born with
heart problems, limb deformities, blindness, deafness,
mental retardation or other problems.
What is mumps?
• Mumps is usually a mild disease which is caused by a
virus. It causes painful enlargement of the salivary glands.
• Mumps is spread by saliva.
• In 20%-30% of men, mumps causes testicular
inflammation.
• In 5% of women, mumps causes ovarian inflammation.
• About 1 out of 1000 people with mumps develop
inflammation of the brain.
• 1/10,000 people with mumps will die.
• You or your child could catch these diseases by being
around someone who has them. They are often spread
from person-to-person through the air. MMR vaccine
can prevent these diseases.
What does MMR vaccine contain?
Priorix® vaccine contains:
- amino acids, lactose, mannitol, neomycin sulfate and
sorbitol. It is grown on chick embryo or MRC-5 human diploid cells.
M-M-R® II vaccine contains:
- sorbitol, sodium phosphate, sucrose, sodium chloride, gelatin, human albumin, bovine serum and neomycin.
- no latex in either the vaccine or diluent.
How effective is the vaccine?
• Within one month after receiving the vaccine, protection is
developed against measles (98%), mumps (96%) and
rubella (99%).
How long does the protection last?
• Unknown; likely long term.
• Anyone born after 1970 should also receive MMR vaccine,
if they are:
- travelling to a measles endemic area
- health care workers
- students at post-secondary institutions
- military recruits.
Who should receive MMR vaccine?
• Everyone born after 1970.
• Children should receive 2 doses of MMR vaccine.
Who should not receive MMR?
• Anyone born in 1970 or earlier.
• Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to
any component of the vaccine. A history of contact
dermatitis to neomycin is not a contraindication.
• Pregnant women (avoid pregnancy for one month after
immunization).
• Anyone who has received any kind of immune globulin
within the last 3 to 11 months (discuss with the Public
Health Nurse).
• Anyone with a lowered immune response, due to disease
or therapy.
• People with moderate to severe illness may have to delay
immunization.
• NOTE: Anyone with a history of a life threatening allergy
to eggs should be observed by the public health nurse for
at least 30 minutes after immunization.
How is the vaccine given?
• By injection into the fatty layer beneath the skin.
When should the vaccine be
given?
• At 1 year and again at 18 months of age.
• Catch up dose in Grades 8 & 12.
• At the same time or at least 4 weeks prior to tuberculin
skin test (if required).
What might be felt after receiving the vaccine?
Very Common (10% or greater):
• redness, pain, swelling at injection site.
Common (Between 1% and 10%):
• rash and fever 7-10 days following immunization.
Uncommon (Between 0.1% and 1%):
• respiratory symptoms, ear infection, fever convulsions.
Rare (Between 0.01% and 0.1%):
• severe allergic reaction or thrombocytopenic purpura.
Call one of the numbers below if you have severe or unusual reactions.
For more information contact Public Health Services at:
- International Travel Centre: (306) 655-4780
- North Health Centre: (306) 655-4700
- Our Neighbourhood Health Centre: (306) 655-4950
- South East Health Centre: (306) 655-4730
- West Winds Primary Health Centre: (306) 655-4275
© 2008, Saskatoon Health Region. Reproduced only by permission.
(Updated January 4, 2010)
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