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MMEASLES MMUMPS RRUBELLA

VACCINATION

This leaflet explains about , mumps and and the MMR which helps protect against all three diseases.

mmunisation Helping to protect everyone, at every age What is measles? Measles is a very infectious viral MMEASLES MMUMPS RRUBELLA illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes. If you are not protected and have even passing contact with someone who has measles, the chances are that you will be infected too. If you catch measles you will probably feel very poorly and be off school or work for around 10 days. There is no treatment or cure for measles. Symptoms of measles include fever, sore red eyes, and rash. It can be a very serious for some people. Complications are more likely to occur in certain groups including people with weakened immune systems, babies under one year old and pregnant women. Complications can include chest and ear , fits, diarrhoea, (infection of the ) and brain damage. Those who develop complications may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment. Is it serious? Yes, around one in 5000 individuals with measles is likely to die and since 2006, there have been 3 deaths from measles in England and Wales.

2 What is mumps? What is rubella? Mumps is a viral illness that is Rubella is a viral illness, often spread by coughs and sneezes or called German measles, that is close contact with someone who now rare in the UK thanks to the already has the infection. success of the MMR . It is spread in a similar way to mumps Symptoms of mumps usually and measles. For most people, last around two weeks and can it is usually a mild condition that include headache and fever but gets better in 7 to 10 days without the most common symptom is treatment. However, if pregnant swelling of the glands at the side women develop rubella it can be of the face. This can give you the very serious for their unborn baby. appearance of having a ‘hamster face’ and can cause pain and Symptoms of rubella include a difficulty swallowing. rash, cold-like symptoms, and Complications of mumps can aching joints. be very painful and can include Complications of rubella are rare inflammation of the or but if a pregnant woman catches , and in rarer cases, the rubella during pregnancy, there . Mumps can also cause can be devastating consequences viral and encephalitis for her unborn baby which could (infection of the brain). Although lead to the baby being born with permanent after cataracts (eye problems), deafness, mumps is rare, around one in heart problems or brain damage. 20 people infected may have temporary hearing loss. There is currently no to cure mumps so treatment is focused on relieving symptoms. If you develop mumps you will probably need some bed rest and painkillers during this time. You may also need to eat soft foods that do not require a lot of chewing. Most cases of mumps now occur in young adults who haven’t had two doses of MMR vaccine.

3 One vaccine The MMR vaccine is a single that is administered into 1 the thigh of young children or the upper arm of older children or adults. It is a live vaccine which means that it contains weakened versions of measles, mumps and rubella . These have been weakened enough to produce without causing disease.

Two doses The MMR vaccine gives long lasting protection with just two 2 doses of the vaccine. The first dose is given at the age of 12 months and the second dose is given at around three years and four months, before starting school. Having both doses gives long lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella. In adults and older children the two doses can be given with a one month gap between them.

Three infections The MMR vaccine protects against three infections; measles, 3 mumps and rubella. These are viral infections that can quickly spread to unprotected children and adults – they spread more easily than flu or the .

Long-lasting protection The MMR vaccine is the safest and most effective way to » protect yourself against measles, mumps and rubella. Since the vaccine was introduced in 1988, these conditions have become rare in the UK. However, outbreaks of disease, especially measles, have occurred when the number of people having the vaccine has dropped. If you are unsure whether you have previously had the vaccine or not, you can check with your GP, having further doses will not cause any harm.

4 Who should have the vaccine?

Young children of child bearing age, even if you are not planning to have a baby, Young children should be offered you should have two doses of the the vaccine as part of the UK MMR vaccine before you become national vaccination programme. pregnant. If you have not had They will be offered two doses two doses, or you are unsure, you of the vaccine, the first one just should contact your GP surgery after the first birthday and the to arrange to catch up with any second dose before they start doses still outstanding. As it is school – usually at around three a live vaccine, you should avoid years and four months of age. getting pregnant for one month after the vaccine so you should Older children, teenagers also use a reliable method of and young adults contraception during this time. If you have never previously had If you are pregnant or have MMR vaccine or have only had just had a baby and are not sure one dose of it, you should contact if you’ve had two doses of MMR, your GP surgery to arrange to speak to your GP or practice nurse catch up with your outstanding at your 6 week postnatal check. doses. If you have already had one dose of MMR vaccine as a Older adults young child then you will only need one further dose, no matter Adults born in the UK before how long ago your first dose was 1970 are likely to have had given. If you need two doses then measles, mumps and rubella as a they can be given with a one child or to have had single measles month gap between them. or rubella which were used before MMR was introduced in 1988. Women of child bearing age If you are unsure whether or not you have had these infections or Rubella can be a very serious the vaccines to protect against infection for unborn babies, it can them, you can ask your GP to cause blindness, deafness and vaccinate you. You will need two even death. If you are a woman doses, one month apart. Even if

5 you have had the vaccines before, How does the you will not come to any harm from having extra doses as your MMR vaccine immune system will recognize and work? quickly destroy the vaccine viruses. The MMR vaccine is a live vaccine that protects Born or brought up against measles, mumps abroad? and rubella. Two doses If you were born or brought up are given by injection abroad you may need two doses into the leg or upper arm. of MMR. Different countries Your immune system offer different immunisations and responds to the vaccine not all use the combined MMR by producing cells which vaccine. If you don’t have a record recognize and remember of the vaccines you have received each of the three viruses. or are unsure, discuss this with If you are in contact with your GP. You may also need other any of the diseases in the immunisations to fully protect you future, these cells will from other infections. wake up and activate your body to rapidly produce antibodies. This protection is usually long lasting. .

6 How safe is the MMR was introduced in the UK in 1988, and it is now rare vaccine? for children to develop these The combined MMR vaccine has infections. There have been been safely protecting children outbreaks of measles and mumps for many years in many countries in recent years. These tend to worldwide. In the UK, millions of occur where levels of vaccination doses have been given since it are low, but they can happen at was introduced in 1988. Before any time so it’s important to make vaccines can be used, they have sure that you are protected by to be thoroughly tested for safety. having two doses of MMR vaccine. Although there may be some side effects from vaccination, they are usually mild and much What are the side less severe than the disease effects from the itself. Serious reactions following vaccination are rare. vaccine? Not everyone gets side effects Many studies have taken place to from the vaccine. To provide look at the safety and effectiveness protection, the vaccine mimics the of MMR vaccine. The evidence is three infections that it protects clear that there is no link between against. Some people may get a MMR vaccine and autism. rash that looks like a mild form of measles, the face may swell to look like mumps or they may Does it work? have pains in the joints like rubella. Yes, the vaccine is very good These side effects occur in a small at providing protection against percentage of people after the measles, mumps and rubella. first dose. Over 99% of those who have The side effects from the measles two doses of the vaccine will part of the vaccine are usually be protected against measles seen when the vaccine starts to and rubella. Although mumps work – around 6 –10 days after protection is slightly lower, cases vaccination. Swelling of the face in vaccinated people are much or joint pains tend to come on less severe. around two to three weeks after vaccination when the mumps and rubella vaccines start to work.

7 Side effects such as a rash or Passing on measles to children neck swelling only last for around who are too young to have MMR 2–3 days and are not infectious. vaccine or to someone who is This means that if you do develop already ill, can have very serious these side effects, you cannot pass consequences for their health. on the infection to others. As a precaution, women should avoid getting pregnant for one On rare occasions, a reddish- month after MMR vaccination. purple rash that looks like tiny bruises can occur up to six weeks following vaccination. Does the MMR vaccine contain Why should I or my gelatine? children have the In the UK, we have two vaccine? MMR vaccines which work very well. One of You should have the them contains gelatine vaccine to protect yourself derived from pigs and against three serious the other one doesn’t. If infections. By doing so you would prefer to have you will also help to the vaccine that does protect others who not contain gelatine, can’t have the vaccine. talk to your practice These include unborn nurse or GP. babies, infants who are too young to have the vaccine and children/ adults who can’t have the vaccine because they have weakened immune systems. This will help to prevent large outbreaks of disease. You should also have the vaccine if you work with young children or care for people as part of your work.

8 If you think you might Is there anyone who already have measles, should not have the mumps or rubella, it’s important to reduce MMR vaccine? the risk of spreading As the MMR vaccine is a the infection to other live vaccine it should not be people. You should: given to pregnant women or people who are severely • Phone your GP for advice, immunosuppressed, for example they may need to make those who have had a bone arrangements for you to visit marrow transplant or are taking the surgery at the end of the immunosuppressant medicines. day so that you avoid contact with people who are more If you are unsure discuss this with vulnerable to the infection, your doctor. If you have had a such as young children and confirmed anaphylactic reaction pregnant women. to you should not have the vaccine. If you have had a • Avoid work or school for at confirmed anaphylactic reaction least four days from when to gelatine you should speak to you first developed the your GP and arrange to have the measles rash. gelatine-free vaccine. • Make arrangements to have any outstanding doses of the vaccine once you have recovered. This will protect All those who are allergic to eggs, you against the other two including children with asthma, infections. can have the MMR vaccine at their GP Surgery. Anyone who has had a documented anaphylactic reaction to MMR vaccine itself should be assessed by an allergist.

9 What are the ?

Measles Mumps Rubella

Fever, cold-like Fever, headache and Swollen glands, symptoms, rash, swollen glands in sore throat, sore eyes or the face temperature and conjunctivitis a rash

Is it serious?

Yes Yes Yes About 1 in 5 go to Although most Although cases hospital and 1 in 15 cases are mild, are mild, catching will develop severe mumps can cause rubella during complications. pregnancy can and painful cause serious illness Measles can cause inflammation of the in unborn babies, deafness, fits, ovaries or testicles including deafness, brain damage and and in rare cases, of blindness and even swelling of the the pancreas. death. brain. Since 2006 there have been three deaths from measles in the UK.

10 Who needs to have Where can I get the vaccine? the vaccine? • All children over the age of one From your GP surgery year should have two doses of the vaccine, the first dose • All children aged one year to is usually given at one year of three years four months should age and the second dose is be offered the vaccine as part usually given at age three years of their routine at and four months old. their GP surgery. • Older children and adults • Older children and adults should should have two doses of the contact their GP practice if they vaccine with a one month gap have had one or no doses of between them. the vaccine. • Pregnant women should • Pregnant women can have the make sure that they are vaccine at their GP surgery after protected before they become their baby is born if they don’t pregnant or make sure they have two documented doses. are vaccinated soon after the baby is born. At your school Some adolescents and young It is never too late adults are offered their missing to have the vaccine doses of MMR vaccine with their other teenage booster vaccines. » if you haven’t had two doses. From your employer’s occupational health service Health-care workers with direct patient contact should make sure they are protected against the three diseases.

11 Measles, it’s not just a kids problem

MMEASLES MMUMPS RRUBELLA If you would like more information about MMR please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/mmr-vaccine.aspx

©Crown copyright 2016 3219250 1p 75k June 2016 (PUR) Produced by Williams Lea for Public Health England First published June 2016 The text of this document may be reproduced without formal permission or charge for personal or in-house use. To order more copies of this booklet, visit: www.orderline.dh.gov.uk or phone: 0300 123 1002, Minicom: 0300 123 1003 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) www.nhs.uk/vaccinations