Questions & Answers about Measles, Mumps & Rubella Vaccination
Q. What are Measles, Mumps and Rubella Diseases?Q. Should my child be vaccinated?
Q. What are the components of the MMR vaccine?
Q. What is “anaphylaxis”?
Q. How long does the vaccination last?
Q. What should I do if I have no records or I cannot remember if my child has already received the MMR vaccine?
Q. My child has already received a twodose course of MMR vaccine. Does he/she need another dose?
Q. What can I do if I do not wish my child to be vaccinated at school or if my child missed out on the vaccine at school because of illness or absence on the day the nurses’ visit?
Q. Is vaccination compulsory for this campaign?
Q. Should I give my child a dose of paracetamol before going to school on the day of the clinic?
Q. What if my child has asthma and takes cortisone or prednisone by a “puffer”?
Q. Do homoeopathic preparations protect against measles, mumps and rubella diseases?
Q. Should the vaccine be given to a young woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant?
Q. Will I receive a record of the vaccinations that my child received?
Q. Where can I find more information about immunisation?
Q. What are Measles, Mumps and Rubella Diseases?
A. Measles is a highly infectious virus spread by respiratory droplets, causing fever, cough and a rash beginning on the face and upper neck, becoming more generalised. One in 25 children with measles develops pneumonia and 1 in 2,000 develops encephalitis (brain inflammation). For every 10 children who develop measles encephalitis, one will die, and 4 will have permanent brain damage. About 1 in 25,000 will develop brain degeneration, which is always fatal.
Mumps is a contagious virus spread by saliva. It causes swollen neck glands and fever. One in 200 children develop encephalitis; one in 5 males past puberty develops inflammation of the testes. Occasionally mumps causes infertility or deafness.
Rubella (German Measles) is a contagious virus spread by droplets causing rash, fever and swollen glands. It causes severe malformations to babies of infected pregnant women. About 5 in 10 patients develop a rash and painful swollen glands; 5 in 10 adolescents and adults have painful joints. One in 3,000 develops thrombocytopenia (bruising/bleeding). One in 6,000 develops brain inflammation. Nine in 10 babies infected during the first 10 weeks after conception will have a major congenital abnormality, such as, deafness, blindness, brain damage or heart defects.
Q. Should my child be vaccinated?
A. The National Health and Medical Research Council states that two doses of MMR vaccine are required for complete immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. MMR vaccine should be given to all children at 12 months of age and again at 4 years of age. A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended for children over 4 years of age who have only received one dose of MMR vaccine.
Q. What are the components of the MMR vaccine?
A. The vaccine contains measles virus; mumps virus; rubella virus; neomycin (an antibiotic to prevent contamination of the vaccine); albumin, amino acids, sorbitol and mannitol (additives used to stabilize the vaccine).
Q. What is "anaphylaxis"?
A. "Anaphylaxis" is a severe allergic reaction that may result in unconsciousness and death if not treated quickly. It occurs rarely after vaccination. The nurses are fully trained in the treatment of anaphylaxis.
Q. How long does the vaccination last?
A. The MMR vaccine provides long lasting protection, however all children and adults should have received two doses of MMR vaccine for complete immunity.
Q. What should I do if I have no records or I cannot remember if my child has already received the MMR vaccine?
A. It is safe for your child to receive another dose of MMR vaccine.
Q. My child has already received a twodose course of MMR vaccine. Does he/she need another dose?
A. No. Two doses of MMR vaccine is all that is required.
Q. What can I do if I do not wish my child to be vaccinated at school or if my child missed out on the vaccine at school because of illness or absence on the day the nurses' visit?
A. You can take your child to your GP to receive free MMR vaccine. It is advisable to inform the practice that your child requires MMR vaccination when making the appointment.
Q. Is vaccination compulsory for this campaign?
A. No. Parents can choose whether or not to sign the Consent Form and have their child vaccinated. Only those children with a Consent Form completed and signed by a Parent/Guardian will be vaccinated. All Parents/Guardians are asked to read the information provided and return the signed Consent Form. DO NOT return the consent form if you DO NOT wish your child to be vaccinated.
Q. Should I give my child a dose of paracetamol before going to school on the day of the clinic?
A. No. This is not necessary.
Q. What if my child has asthma and takes cortisone or prednisone by a "puffer"?
A. It is safe to vaccinate children with MMR vaccine if they use a "puffer" for asthma.
Q. Do homoeopathic preparations protect against measles, mumps and rubella diseases?
A. No. There is no evidence that homoeopathic preparations prevent measles, mumps and rubella diseases.
Q. Should the vaccine be given to a young woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant?
A. No. Any young woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant should not be vaccinated.Women who have received Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine (MMR) should not become pregnant for 28 days after vaccination.
Q. Will I receive a record of the vaccinations that my child received?
A. Your child will be given a record of vaccination. It is important that you advise your GP that this vaccination has been given, as universities, colleges, workplaces and other countries often require this information.
Please store this record in a safe place for future reference.
Q. Where can I find more information about immunisation?
A. The Australian Immunisation Handbook (current Edition) provides detailed information about immunisation. It can be found at www.immunise.health.gov.au
This web page is managed and authorised by AIDS & Infectious Diseases of Centre for Health Protection of the NSW Department of Health. Last updated: 31 March, 2009
