We recently talked about the measles vaccine. But in Malaysia it is commonly incorporated as a 3-in-1 vaccine meant to protect newborns not only from measles but mumps and rubella as well.
These are all highly infectious and lethal diseases that can seriously endanger your baby’s life.
Here’s what you need to know about the MMR vaccine.
MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) Vaccine
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the MMR vaccines contain a mixture of three vaccines meant to immunise babies against measles, mumps and rubella. All three vaccines are made of attenuated (weakened) viral cells.
The first MMR vaccine was conceived by Maurice Hilleman, an American microbiologist who used chicken eggs to create attenuated vaccines.
In Malaysia, the MMR virus is given to kids when they reach 1 year of age.
A second booster dose is given at Primary One when they start school between 6 to 7 years of age.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles, mumps and rubella are all illnesses caused by a viral infection. They are easily transmissible through droplets and close contact. They can often be fatal in newborns and babies.
While mumps is typically distinguished by the swelling of the parotid glands (parotitis), both measles and rubella (also known as German measles) are almost identical in nature.
Both are characterised by a red flat rash that starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body. Although the rash is much redder with measles.
According to the CDC, all three conditions start off with a fever before progressing into other symptoms:
- Measles: persistent cough, a runny nose, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and a sore throat
- Mumps: headache, dry mouth, loss of appetite, pain upon opening mouth or eating, tiredness
- Rubella: general discomfort, swollen and enlarged lymph nodes, cough, runny nose
There is currently no cure or specific treatment for any of these diseases other than supportive care. Babies who survive are often left with lifelong defects and disabilities.
Children whose mothers contracted rubella during pregnancy, for instance, can develop congenital rubella syndrome. A condition marked by hearing disability, heart abnormalities, congenital heart disease and a slew of other mental defects.
Three Times the Protection
MMR is probably one of the more important vaccines your children have to get. Malaysia has had much success with controlling mumps. According to a report from Knoema, mumps cases has dropped by 99 percent from 2021 to 2022 with only 3 cases recorded so far.
The same positive trend is also seen with rubella. Knoema recorded a total of 97 cases in 2021 and none more since.
But measles has actually increased by 79% since 2020 when COVID-19 halted immunisation efforts according to a report from Malaysia Now.
So, as you can see, it’s important to keep all vaccinations up to date. Let’s end the spread of these diseases once and for all, mummies!
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, December 31). Rubella signs and symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rubella/about/symptoms.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, November 5). History of measles. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, November 5). Measles signs and symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/symptoms/signs-symptoms.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, January 26). Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, March 8). MUMPS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/about/signs-symptoms.html
- Malaysia mumps cases, 1921-2021. Knoema. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://knoema.com/atlas/Malaysia/topics/Health/Communicable-Diseases/Mumps-cases#:~:text=Malaysia%20mumps%20cases%20was%20at,is%20a%20change%20of%2099.12%25.
- Malaysia rubella cases, 1921-2021. Knoema. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://knoema.com/atlas/Malaysia/topics/Health/Communicable-Diseases/Rubella-cases#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20rubella%20cases%20for,ending%20at%2097%20in%202021.
- Reuters. (2022, April 27). Measles cases jump 79% in 2022 after Covid hit vaccination campaigns. MalaysiaNow. Retrieved November 25, 2022, from https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2022/04/28/measles-cases-jump-79-in-2022-after-covid-hit-vaccination-campaigns
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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