Should you give your baby the MMR vaccine? Let's talk about this! (MMR Vaccine)

When you look at your little one's clinical record book (CHDR), there is a page where the vaccination dates are noted, right? As a mother or father, it is normal to feel a little scared and sad when giving an injection to a baby. But when you think about how many serious diseases these vaccines protect a child from, that fear disappears. Just like that, the MMR vaccine is a very important vaccine that protects children from three serious diseases. Let's talk about this clearly and simply today.

What exactly is the MMR vaccine?

Simply put, MMR is a combination of three vaccines. A single injection protects you and your child against three dangerous viral infections. These are:

• Measles: This is a highly contagious, serious disease. It starts with fever, cough, and a red rash, but can sometimes lead to pneumonia, encephalitis , blindness, and even death.
• Mumps: This mainly causes swelling of the salivary glands. However, sometimes complications such as hearing loss (loss of hearing), swelling of the testicles (in boys), and meningitis can occur.
• Rubella: Although this is usually a mild infection, it can be very dangerous if a pregnant mother contracts it. The baby in the womb can be born with heart defects, vision problems, hearing problems, and problems with brain development.

So what this vaccine does is train our body's immune system to fight against the three dangerous diseases you mentioned.

Is MMR a 'live' vaccine? Can it cause disease?

Yes, the MMR vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine. Don't worry! Even though it says "live," the virus has been weakened in a laboratory. So, a person with a healthy immune system will not get the real disease from this vaccine.

Think of it this way. Our immune system is like an army that protects a country. What this vaccine does is to give our army (immune system) a good workout by exposing it to a weakened version of the real enemy before the real enemy comes. So, if one day the real measles, mumps, or rubella virus enters the body, our immune system will recognize it as soon as it sees it, fight it, and protect us.

MMR vaccination schedule in Sri Lanka

According to the National Immunization Program in Sri Lanka, this is how these vaccines are administered. This is a little different from some countries.

Do adults also need the MMR vaccine?

You may be thinking, "This is for little kids, why should I?" But sometimes doctors recommend that adults get this vaccine too. Specifically:

• If you work in the healthcare field: You are at higher risk because you are frequently in contact with patients.
• If you are planning to travel abroad: Some countries may have measles outbreaks. It is wise to protect yourself before you go.
• If you are a woman expecting a baby: It is very important to check if you are immune to rubella before getting pregnant. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend that you get the MMR vaccine at least one month before you get pregnant .
• If you are not sure whether you have previously received the MMR vaccine: You may have missed the vaccine as a child. In such a case, talk to your doctor for advice.

Who should not get the MMR vaccine?

This vaccine is not suitable for everyone. The MMR vaccine is not given in the following cases:

• People with very weak immune systems: This is not suitable for people with HIV infection, cancer, or those taking immunosuppressants.
• Pregnant women or those who are about to become pregnant: This vaccine is not given during pregnancy. It is also advised to avoid becoming pregnant for at least one month after receiving the vaccine.
• People with a severe allergy to anything in the vaccine: For example, if you have a severe allergy to the antibiotic Neomycin or gelatin, you should inform your doctor.

If you have any doubts about this, please talk to your doctor. Never make decisions on your own.

What are the side effects of the vaccine?

As with any medicine, the MMR vaccine can cause some minor side effects. However, most of these are not serious and resolve on their own within a few days.

If your child shows signs of severe allergic reaction after being vaccinated, such as swelling of the face, lips, difficulty breathing, or a rash all over the body, immediately take them to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).** Although these are very rare, it is important to be aware.

How effective is the MMR vaccine? How long does it provide protection?

When both doses of the MMR vaccine are completed, protection against measles and rubella is more than 97% . Protection against mumps is about 88%. This is a very high success rate.

For most people, the protection provided by the MMR vaccine lasts a lifetime .

Vaccines are so effective that we forget the dangers of the diseases they prevent. We can't even imagine how many children suffered and died from measles and mumps 50-60 years ago. But today, thanks to the MMR vaccine, we hardly see those terrible conditions. That's the power of prevention. That's why doctors recommend the MMR vaccine to everyone who can safely get it.

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