{"id":5187,"date":"2019-03-19T05:59:36","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T05:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5187"},"modified":"2021-03-29T19:14:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T19:14:22","slug":"10-things-you-should-know-about-mmr-vaccine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-things-you-should-know-about-mmr-vaccine\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Things You Should Know About MMR Vaccine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ever since the anti-vaccine movement started, the MMR vaccine is one that has been subject to by far the most scrutiny. This vaccine that helps our children stay protected from measles, mumps, and rubella has become one of the main targets of the anti-vaccine campaigners due to a discredited \u2014 and later retracted \u2014 paper. It has been almost two decades since the paper was first published, but many anti-vaccination activists still cite it to confuse parents who are on the fence about whether or not they should vaccinate their children against these diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact is that this vaccine is very important, and has played a large role in the minimization of disease-related deaths ever since its inception. One of the key benefits of this vaccine is the fact that it is very effective at protecting your children from measles \u2014 a disease that is very contagious as well as dangerous. There\u2019s a lot that you should know about the MMR vaccine, but here are eight key facts that are crucial to your understanding of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The measles vaccine is among the most effective vaccines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule, most vaccines <\/a>have been instrumental in the near-eradication of formerly deadly diseases. Practically all vaccines have managed to drastically reduce the number of annual cases for its targeted disease and leave on a fraction of the population vulnerable to them \u2014 usually those who can\u2019t be vaccinated or simply don\u2019t want to. That said, the MMR vaccine is one that is particularly impressive. While most vaccines have impressive effectivity rates, few can claim a higher one than that of the MMR vaccine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vaccine is effective in 93% of people who get a single dose, and a whopping 97% effective in those who get the doctor-recommended two doses. With such high effectivity rates, it wouldn\u2019t make any sense to skip out on this vaccine. Furthermore, it has high effectivity rates with some truly dangerous diseases. 97% effectivity with measles is more significant than 99% effectivity with the common cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Mercury-free<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some vaccines contain thimerosal. It is a preservative with ethyl mercury<\/a>. Let us start by saying that this has never harmed any recipients of a vaccine, and there is no credible research to support such. Anyone who claims otherwise is either misinformed or attempting to misinform. That being said, if thimerosal really makes you nervous, you\u2019ll be happy to hear that the MMR vaccine contains no traces of it. Even though mercury in volumes so low as in thimerosal is harmless, you can have that little extra bit of peace of mind knowing that your MMR vaccine is mercury-free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are countless studies and resources confirming the validity of the statement that MMR is free of mercury. If you see someone citing a study that says otherwise, be sure to check its credibility, as it is likely a phony study used to sway opinion. Be sure to get your information from credible studies only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. No chance of autism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the age-old attacks on vaccines is their supposed correlation to causing autism <\/a>in children. You\u2019ll find many anti-vaccines sharing alleged stories of how their child developed autism after getting a vaccine. The fact is, any child who is autistic was likely already in that state prior to receiving the vaccine. It\u2019s hard knowing that your child is different, so one might find a scapegoat such as vaccines to pass the blame on in the hopes of comforting themselves. While many kids who are autistic receive vaccines, the relationship isn\u2019t causal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a Denmark study on the MMR vaccine, they researched the records of hundreds of thousands of children. There was no risk found with regards to autism in children who were vaccinated. Other studies in various countries have also been conducted and have come to the same conclusion, but the Denmark one is among the largest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Rare side effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any vaccine, you can\u2019t say that the MMR vaccine contains no side effects whatsoever. Bear in mind that even Aspirin <\/a>or Xanax can come with their own set of side effects. You\u2019ll struggle to find anything that you consume that doesn\u2019t cause side effects. While the MMR vaccine can cause side effects, it is a very rare occurrence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The odds of developing encephalitis following a dose of the MMR vaccine are one in three million. This is according to tests conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration \u2014 or FDA. In contrast, the odds of developing encephalitis due to measles are one in a thousand. It is also unclear if the vaccines actually caused those \u201cone in three million\u201d cases or if they just developed coincidentally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, as the saying goes, correlation isn\u2019t causation. You can find the Denmark study for yourself and review the data if you\u2019re still skeptical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Emergency vaccination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The great thing about the MMR vaccine is that you can have it on short notice. Picture the scenario, you grew up with a suppressed immune system for one reason or another, thus, you were unfit for vaccination according to your doctor and thus unable to get the MMR vaccine at a young age. Then, once you were in adulthood, you were inadvertently exposed to measles. Perhaps due to an outbreak in your office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, you\u2019d just have to hope you don\u2019t develop the disease. However, with measles, you can get a vaccination up to 72 hours after your first contact with the disease. That\u2019s not to say that you won\u2019t develop the disease, you likely still will as you were unvaccinated at the time of contact, but it will manifest in a less severe form with dulled symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you get a measles <\/a>vaccination after contact but the disease still develops, it will also subside faster than if you hadn\u2019t been vaccinated following your exposure. This makes the MMR vaccine a good emergency measure in case you\u2019ve been exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Not for the immunosuppressed, but they can catch up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that the MMR vaccine can\u2019t be administered to those who are immunosuppressed. Of course, your doctor will let you know if your child is unfit for vaccination based on the information you provide as well as the medical records of your child in conjunction with any tests that might be run prior to administering the dose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many things that can cause an immune system<\/a> to become suppressed. This might be due to an underlying illness such as diabetes or some form of drug treatment. Whatever the cause may be, the risk of developing an infection following vaccination is significantly increased in patients with low immune systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were unable to get the MMR vaccine as a child due to these reasons, you can still be vaccinated later in life. Just let your physician know that you are yet to be vaccinated and they will run the appropriate tests to see if you are fit to receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Odds of anaphylaxis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anaphylaxis <\/a>is a ubiquitous risk. Whenever you eat, pop a pill, or get vaccinated, you run the risk of developing an allergic reaction. Severe allergic reactions are referred to as anaphylaxis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anaphylaxis differs from milder allergic reactions due to the fact that it can significantly impact the circulation and breathing in the patient. Most doctors will treat this with adrenaline and monitor the patient to see if their status improves. That said, the odds of developing anaphylaxis after vaccination is very low. Of the 117 million vaccinations that were carried out in the UK between 1997 and 2003, only 130 reports of anaphylaxis were reported. Bear in mind that these statistics are for all vaccinations, not just MMR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re more likely to get anaphylaxis by eating a certain food or taking an over-the-counter drug than you are while getting vaccinated with a dose of MMR. Doctors will also have patients stay in their case for a couple of hours following the vaccination to monitor for any signs of an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Not for tuberculosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Those who have tuberculosis <\/a>are unfit to receive MMR vaccines. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have this disease prior to getting vaccinated. If you have the disease but you are unsure if your child has it as well, be sure to get them tested before you tell your doctor to vaccinate them. Provided your doctor knows that you or your child has the disease, he will halt the vaccination procedure and postpone it for a later date when you have successfully cured your tuberculosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t believe that you have tuberculosis but begin coughing blood, let your doctor know so that you can receive the appropriate tests. Bear in mind that coughing blood could also be caused by other things such as pneumonia, but testing is always the safest route. After a round of medication and confirmation that you are free of tuberculosis, you will be able to receive your MMR vaccination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. A Brief History of Measles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The measles was a severe public health concern before 1963. Before this date, there were nearly 4-million cases of the disease reported annually. The measles hospitalized tens of thousands of patients during this period for complications that arose from the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in 1963, the United States launched the first MMR vaccine designed to curb the spread of the disease. The vaccine was an outstanding success, wiping measles off the face of the planet. Unfortunately, recent years have seen the emergence of measles, due to the anti-vaccination movement sweeping the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, there are now isolated outbreaks of measles affecting schoolchildren and kindergartners across the country. Fortunately, measles is not a fatal disease, causing only two fatalities in every 1,000-cases reported to the CDC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most patients make a full recovery from the disease with no lasting complications. However, common complications related to measles include the development of pneumonia <\/a>and brain swelling, otherwise known as “encephalitis.”
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10. Mumps is Highly Contagious<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to data from the CDC, the mumps <\/a>is more contagious than the Ebola virus. For every carrier of the disease, research shows that the individual infects between four and seven other people in an unvaccinated community. This statistic gives the mumps a reproductive rate of 4 to 7, while the Ebola virus has an infection rate of between 1.5 and 2.5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mumps is appearing in outbreaks across the country, and many people vaccinated against the disease when they were younger, are now no longer resistant to infection. As a result, the outbreaks of the disease affect adult communities. Mumps is a dreadful disease, and it can have life-threatening consequences in infants and seniors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MMR vaccine all but eliminated the mumps form causing infections. However, the rise of the modern anti-vaccination movement means that hundreds of thousands of children are now at a high risk of contracting this preventable disease.
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11. Why Get Vaccinated?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Getting vaccinated against preventable diseases makes good sense when you consider the number of pathogens<\/a> floating around in the environment. Babies are yet to develop the robust system of a teenager or adult, and as a result of this weakness, they are more inclined to develop the infection. It’s for this reason that preschools are hot spots for viral outbreaks, like mumps, measles, and chickenpox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the advent of vaccines, infection with any of these three diseases was considered a danger to the infant’s health. Fortunately, the medical community developed the first vaccine for measles in1963, and since this date, the rates of infection with these preventable diseases began to decline rapidly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoiding vaccination because you watched a YouTube video about how vaccines can harm your child, is no excuse for avoiding the treatment. Without a vaccine, your child runs the risk of developing a preventable disease that could stunt their growth or damage their brain. Don’t be fooled by YouTube videos \u2013 get vaccinated.
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12. When to Get Vaccinated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that children respond best to vaccines. Doctors recommend that parents have their child vaccinated in the first 12 to 15-months of life. This first dose helps to protect them from a dangerous disease, such as whooping cough<\/a>. The child receives their second dose of the vaccine when they are between four and six years of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CDC also recommends that individuals born after 1956, should receive a single dose to increase their immune resistance to these diseases. Seniors who catch pneumonia or the mumps may run the risk of dying from the effects of the disease on their frail body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before any international travel, the CDC recommends that children who are between the ages of six and eleven years old should receive at least one dose before they leave the United States. Children older than 12-months should receive both treatments before they travel. In all vaccinations, the administration of the medication should occur 28-days apart.
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13. The Misinformation of the Anti-Vax Movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a rising trend of parents refusing to vaccinate their children. Unfortunately, some people are very gullible, and they fall victim to misinformation campaigns spread by people who do not know what they are talking about. As previously mentioned, there were cases in the early days of vaccines where ingredients in the medication caused autism <\/a>in children. However, this ingredient no longer exists in modern vaccines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current vaccines undergo extensive clinical trials before they ever end up in your child’s arm. The CDC would not release an inefficient vaccine, as it would cause a level of public distrust and compromise their integrity and trust of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you decide to remain unvaccinated \u2013 or worse, leave your kinds unvaccinated, talk to your doctor. Your physician will explain the mechanics of a vaccine and the importance of vaccinating your children. Listen to the advice of a real medical professional, instead of some idiot on YouTube that does not have a medical degree.
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14. The Risks of Remaining Unvaccinated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No caring parent wants to see harm fall on their child, and that’s the primary reason why so many parents choose to leave their kids unvaccinated. These parents have fallen prey to the anti-vax movement, and the chances are that they have spent far too much time watching YouTube videos about how vaccines can give your kids autism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, much like the flat earth conspiracy, the misinformation on the subject is incredibly misleading. The truth of the matter is that vaccines do not harm your kids, and they are the only means of preventing dangerous diseases that can damage the health of your children. While you may feel okay about leaving your kids unvaccinated, you may change your tome when they come down with the mumps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, but by this time, it’s too late, and your child could succumb to the symptoms of their condition, causing them to develop brain damage<\/a> or physical impairments that affect them for the rest of their life. Don’t hesitate – vaccinate.
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