Measles Mumps Rubella Vaccination: When?
When should measles-mumps-rubella vaccination be carried out on children? Many parents ask themselves. Read here what the teething problems are really about and when a vaccination is necessary.
What are measles-mumps-rubella?
- Measles, mumps and rubella are common teething troubles. All three diseases are mostly harmless in children.
- The measles virus is common worldwide and extremely contagious. A disease often leads to an immense immune deficiency, which can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, febrile seizures, but also less harmless epileptic seizures or even meningitis.
- Infection with mumps mainly affects the parotid glands. In fact, only the symptoms, but not the disease itself, can be treated. However, this is usually harmless. Inflammation of the meninges, testes or auditory nerve is still possible. Inflammation of the meninges and the auditory nerve can cause permanent consequential damage.
- Rubella virus causes rubella. A disease in children is safe here. Rubella is characterized by a rash, fever and itchy lymph nodes.
- Vaccination is recommended by the vaccination committee from the age of 11 months. Revaccination is also necessary. This should take place in infancy. It is best to consult your pediatrician about the exact second vaccination date.
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination: useful?
- Vaccination protects against all of these diseases caused by the viruses. While pneumonia and ear infections are still quick and easy to treat, the situation is different with meningitis. Attention should be paid here above all to possible consequential damages such as intellectual disabilities or paralysis.
- Vaccination not only protects the sensitive organism of an infant and toddler, but also vaccinated pregnant women. The infection with rubella can cause this inflammation of the joints and nerves. The unborn child may experience birth defects or even miscarriage.
- Other people who, for example, cannot be vaccinated due to immunodeficiencies or chronic illnesses can also become infected with the virus. This can have risky consequences.
- In the meantime, the antibiotic resistance of numerous germs must also be taken into account. This will make it difficult to treat many diseases with antibiotics in the future.
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccination: what speaks against it?
- As with any vaccination, there are side effects. After vaccination, symptoms such as fever, headache, gastrointestinal problems and fatigue can occur.
- Since this is a live vaccine, ie the organism goes through the disease to a lesser extent, it can lead to non-infectious "vaccine measles". A fever and a measles-like rash appear. The testicles and parotid gland can also swell slightly. These phenomena fade away very quickly.
- In the case of existing immunodeficiency diseases or other chronic diseases, vaccination can pose a health risk. You should seek advice from your doctor here.
- All three diseases are often referred to as childhood diseases because they often occur in childhood. After the child has recovered from the infections, there is lifelong immunity.
Chickenpox is also a well-known childhood illness. There is now a vaccine against this disease too. You can read more about the reasons for and against vaccination here.