MMR Vaccination
And The Mumps By: Ran Trakhtengerts and Chaitanya Srinivasan
MMR Vaccination
Two doses of the mumps vaccination averages at 88% in reducing the disease rate. Specifically, the first dose reduces the disease rate by 78%, and the second dose reduces the disease rate by 99%.
The MMR Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine provides immunity throughout one's life.
Age/Circumstances Under Vaccination
In the state of Texas, the MMR mumps vaccination is required to enter school.
All babies are given the mumps vaccination between 12 and 15 months, then later at 4-6 years. All adults born during or after 1957 must have at least one dose of the mumps vaccination on their record.
Symptoms of Mumps
Some symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides (parotitis).
Since mumps are usually mild, they do not, even in the most extreme cases, lead to death. Those who are not vaccinated have a mild chance of further complicating their condition. With males during puberty, inflammation of the testicles can occur, however, it does not lead to fertilization problems. Other complications include inflammation of the brain and deafness.
Possible Side-Effects of the MMR Vaccination
The possible side effects of the MMR vaccination are: Fever (1 in 6 children), Joint pain/stiffness (1 in 4, usually young women), Low platelet count/bleeding (1 in 30,000), Rash (1 in 20), Seizure (1 in 3,000), Swollen glands (rare), Allergic reaction (less than 1 per million), and Long-term seizure, brain damage, or deafness (so rare that the association with the vaccine is questionable)
Bibliography
"CDC - Mumps: Homepage." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2012. <http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/>.
"MMR vaccine - Pediatric Center - Scott & White - Central Texas." Patients & Visitors - Scott & White - Central Texas. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2012. <http://www.sw.org/health-education?productId=112&pid=1&gid=002026>.