There are two options for protecting your child against , , , and varicella. Know the facts before you choose.

Why Vaccinate Against These Options for Protecting Your Child Diseases? For the best protection against measles, hanks to that protect against mumps, rubella, and varicella, children need to Tmeasles, mumps, rubella (German be vaccinated twice: once when they are 12–15 measles) and varicella (), most months old, and again when they are 4–6 children never have to suffer the misery of years old. There are two options for protecting these diseases or their potentially serious children who are 12 months–12 years old complications. against these diseases: • Measles causes rash, cough, runny nose, • Getting two shots: the measles, mumps, and eye irritation, and fever. Complications can rubella (MMR) and the varicella include ear , pneumonia, seizures vaccine (jerking or staring), brain damage, and death. • Getting one shot: the measles, mumps, • Mumps causes fever, headache, and swollen rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine glands. Complications can include deafness, Your child’s doctor can help you choose meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal between getting the MMR and varicella cord covering), painful swelling of the vaccines or the single MMRV vaccine. There testicles or ovaries, and, rarely, death. are different things to consider when choosing • Rubella (German measles) causes rash, mild which option to use for your child’s first and fever, and arthritis (mostly in women). If a second . woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects. • Varicella (chickenpox) causes rash, itching, fever, and tiredness. Complications can include severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death. Know the facts

CS213254-A Choosing an Option for Your Child’s First For the first dose of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines given at ages 12–47 months, either MMR and varicella vaccines or MMRV vaccine can be used. There are both benefits and risks that you should know about when choosing which of these options to use for your child. Comparing MMR and Varicella Vaccines and MMRV Vaccine

MMR and Varicella Vaccines MMRV Vaccine (Administered at the same doctor visit)

Protection against Provides the same protection against the Provides the same protection against the measles, mumps, four diseases as the MMRV vaccine four diseases as the MMR and varicella rubella and varicella vaccines

Number of shots Two shots needed at the same doctor One shot needed to provide protection visit to provide protection against against measles, mumps, rubella, and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella varicella

Fever Fewer children have fevers of 102°F or More children have fevers of 102°F or higher within 42 days of being vaccinated higher within 42 days of being vaccinated (about 15 out of every 100 children (about 22 out of every 100 children vaccinated; the highest risk for fever is vaccinated; the highest risk for fever is during 5–12 days after vaccination) during 5–12 days after vaccination)

Febrile seizures Fewer children have febrile seizures More children have febrile seizures during (Seizures caused during the 5–12 days after vaccination the 5–12 days after vaccination (about 8 by fever) (about 4 out of every 10,000 children out of every 10,000 children vaccinated) vaccinated) For the first dose of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines given at ages 48 months and older, using the MMRV vaccine is usually preferred over using the MMR and varicella vaccines because it requires one less shot to provide similar protection with no known additional risks of side effects.

Understanding the Risk of Febrile to remember that the overall risk of febrile seizures is Seizures After the First Vaccination very low with both options. at Ages 12–47 Months Studies of febrile seizures after vaccination with a first dose of MMRV vaccine have not been done in older The MMR vaccine has been associated with a very children, but experts agree that this increased risk of small risk of as a side effect. Two recent febrile seizures during the 5–12 days after the first studies indicate that for every 10,000 children who get vaccination with MMRV vaccine likely also occurs in the MMR and varicella vaccines for their first vaccina- children aged 24–47 months. tions when they are 12–23 months old, about 4 will have a febrile seizure during the 5–12 days following vaccination. Understanding Febrile Seizures These studies have also shown that children who get “Febrile” means “relating to a fever.” In some children, the MMRV vaccine for their first vaccinations when having a fever—even fever that comes with typical they are 12–23 months old are about twice as likely to childhood illnesses like ear or the common have a febrile seizure during the 5–12 days following cold—can bring on a seizure. Measles was a common vaccination compared with those who get the MMR cause of febrile seizures in the United States before and varicella vaccines at the same doctor visit. This the disease became rare due to the success of the means that for every 10,000 children in this age range vaccination program. who get the MMRV vaccine for their first vaccination, about 8 will have a febrile seizure during the 5–12 During a febrile seizure, a child often has spasms or days following vaccination. However, it’s important jerking movements and may lose consciousness. Febrile seizures usually last only a minute or two. They are most common with fevers that get up to Choosing an Option for Your Child’s 102°F (38.9°C) or higher, but can also occur at lower Second Vaccination temperatures or when a high fever is going down. Febrile seizures often result in a visit to an emergency For the best protection against measles, mumps, room for the child and can be very frightening for parents rubella, and varicella, a second dose of vaccine is and caregivers. However, most children who have febrile recommended for your child at age 4–6 years. seizures recover quickly and have no lasting effects. Studies do not suggest that children who are 4–6 years old and receive the MMRV vaccine have an increased risk of febrile seizures after vaccination Children at Higher Risk for Febrile when compared with those who receive the MMR and Seizures varicella vaccines at the same doctor visit. In addition, the second dose of MMRV vaccine is less likely to Children who are at a higher risk for having febrile cause fever than the first dose. seizures include those who: For the second dose given at any age (15–12 years), use • Have had a febrile seizure in the past of the MMRV vaccine is usually preferred over using • Have an immediate family member (a brother, sister, the MMR and varicella vaccines because it requires one or parent) who has epilepsy or who has had a febrile less shot to provide similar protection with no known seizure additional risks of side effects. 4 Children with a personal or family history of seizures should usually be given MMR and varicella vaccines instead of the MMRV vaccine for both their first and second vaccinations. Be sure to tell your child’s doctor if your child has a personal or family history of seizures.

For more information on vaccines, ask your child’s healthcare provider or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) www.cdc.gov/vaccines

This document can be found on the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/combo-vaccines/mmrv/vacopt-factsheet-parent.pdf