Vaccine Safety, Efficacy, and Recommended Recipients: MMR Edition
The MMR vaccine, which provides protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, plays a crucial role in public health. The recommendations for MMR vaccine administration, efficacy, and contraindications vary by age group and risk factors.
Administration Schedule
For infants between 6–11 months, one dose of MMR vaccine is recommended if traveling internationally. However, this dose does not count towards the routine series. They should still receive the recommended two doses after 12 months of age, spaced at least 28 days apart.
Children are advised to receive two doses, with the first dose at 12–15 months and the second dose at 4–6 years of age. The second dose can be given earlier if at least 28 days after the first.
Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune to measles. Adults born in or after 1957 without evidence of immunity should receive two doses of MMR vaccine 4 weeks apart for measles protection or one dose for mumps and rubella if susceptible. High-risk adults should have documented two doses or lab evidence of immunity and be vaccinated if susceptible.
Efficacy
The MMR vaccine is highly effective. One dose is about 93% effective against measles, while two doses are about 97% effective. The two-dose series also confers high immunity to mumps and rubella, though mumps immunity wanes more rapidly. Infants vaccinated before 12 months require the two-dose series after 12 months to ensure full immunity.
Contraindications
Severe allergy to a vaccine component or following a previous dose of MMR vaccine, pregnancy, severe immunocompromise, and recent blood transfusion or immune globulin administration are major contraindications for the MMR vaccine.
Special Considerations
International travelers of all ages should receive protection from measles before any international travel. Adults in outbreak settings or high-risk groups should ensure immunity is documented or get vaccinated if susceptible. Vaccination intervals should be at least 28 days between doses.
The MMR vaccine is a live vaccine that uses weakened forms of the viruses to create a strong and long-lasting immune response. Doctors may help identify any personal risks or establish immunity before recommending the vaccine and can schedule an appointment or suggest a local clinic or pharmacy that may hold walk-ins.
According to the CDC, those who receive MMR vaccinations will typically have lifelong immunity against rubella and measles, but immunity for mumps may decrease over time. The cost of the MMR vaccine may vary by state and the individual pharmacy or clinic administering the vaccine, with the CDC listing their cost at about $22 per dose and pharmacies and clinics charging around $82 per dose.
Mumps is a viral infection that can cause fever, muscle aches, and more serious complications affecting the reproductive organs, brain, and pancreas. Measles is a viral infection that can have serious and life-threatening complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Children from 12 months up should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days. Teenagers and adults without evidence of immunity should get two doses of MMR separated by 28 days. The MMR vaccine is generally safe, but all medications can have side effects, which are generally mild and much safer than the risks of the diseases themselves.
Anyone who may require the MMR vaccine should discuss their options with their doctor. Rubella, also known as German measles, can cause a mild fever and rash in very young children, and in adults, it typically results in a mild illness. Infants who have had their first dose before age 1 and will be traveling should receive two more injections, separated by 28 days.
1) To ensure maximum protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, infants aged 12 months and older should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with a minimum interval of 28 days between each dose, as recommended by health-and-wellness guidelines.
2) Vaccination is crucial for preventing the potential serious and life-threatening complications associated with measles, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
3) Rubella, also known as German measles, can potentially trigger complications, particularly in very young children; however, it typically results in a mild illness for adults, serving as a preventative measure against future outbreaks within communities.
