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Is Mumps Immunization Safe?

L. Hautzinger
L. Hautzinger

Mumps immunization is safe and extremely effective in preventing the onset of the mumps virus in young children. Since the first mumps immunization became available in 1967, hundreds of millions of doses have been administered, with an excellent safety record. The vaccine is strongly recommended by several leading medical groups, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also, there is no scientific evidence that the mumps immunization or any other popular immunization for childhood illnesses such as measles, rubella or chicken pox, cause autism.

The mumps immunization is often combined with other vaccines and given as the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose of MMR is usually administered to infants who are 12-16 months old. This first dosage of the MMR immunization has been found to provide a 97 percent immunity to mumps, a 95 to 98 percent immunity to measles and a 95 percent immunity to rubella. The second dosage is usually administered in school-age children between 4-6 years of age. This second dose is intended to provide immunity for those children who did not respond to the first dose.

Most experts believe that the mumps vaccine is safe.
Most experts believe that the mumps vaccine is safe.

Generally, the side effects to the MMR vaccine are mild. Many children might feel a soreness in the area where the shot is given, and the soreness might last for a few hours. Fever is another common side effect, and it occurs in roughly 5-15 percent of all recipients. A mild rash can also affect about 5 percent of patients. These side effects usually surface about seven to 12 days after the immunization is given. More severe reactions, including allergic reactions, are very rare.

The mumps vaccination also protects against measles and rubella.
The mumps vaccination also protects against measles and rubella.

Prior to the introduction of the mumps vaccine in 1967, the mumps virus was a common childhood illness that featured swelling of the salivary glands or glands behind the ears. Many cases were mild but some mumps infections could lead to meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Complications of meningitis can cause permanent deafness. These risks far outweigh the mild side effects of mumps immunization with the MMR vaccine.

Most children receive the MMR immunization before beginning school, and few cases of serious side effects are reported.
Most children receive the MMR immunization before beginning school, and few cases of serious side effects are reported.

Suspicions that the MMR vaccine caused autism first arose in 1998 with the publication of a paper by Andrew Wakefield citing a study of 12 British children who displayed symptoms of autism after being treated with the MMR immunization. The paper was quickly discredited as false. Since its publication, several studies have shown no link between rise of autism rates and the use of the MMR vaccine.

Discussion Comments

Sporkasia

As parents we have to do what we think is best for our children regardless of what other people think of us. There are plenty of times when I honestly don't know what is best, but I make the best decisions I know how to make, and we live with the consequences. Far be it from me to tell another parent that he or she has to make sure his or her little one has a measles vaccination or a chickenpox vaccination or any type of vaccination.

I have a difficult enough time making the decisions for my own children. How am I supposed to make the decisions for other parents' children? After all, they are the ones who have to live with the outcome.

Drentel

Even if the MMR vaccine is not totally safe, I think having the shot is a better option than not having it. We know some of the long term effects associated with mumps, such as the ones mentioned in the above article, so I think the risk is worth the potential reward. There is no way I would have prevented my daughters from having this vaccination.

Animandel

Even though the Andrew Wakefield paper mentioned in this article has since been contradicted and discredited, there are still way too many parents who are not having their children immunized against mumps and other childhood diseases because they believe there is a connection between the vaccines and autism.

I work in the medical profession and I am alarmed by the numbers of children who are not vaccinated in the U.S. Children in poor and impoverished nations are slowly getting all of the vaccinations they need thanks to efforts by governments and charitable organizations and medical organization, and here in the U.S. we are headed in the wrong direction.

Slowly, we are finding ourselves dealing with diseases that were all but wiped out here in this country.

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    • Most experts believe that the mumps vaccine is safe.
      By: Jonathan Vasata
      Most experts believe that the mumps vaccine is safe.
    • The mumps vaccination also protects against measles and rubella.
      By: oksun70
      The mumps vaccination also protects against measles and rubella.
    • Most children receive the MMR immunization before beginning school, and few cases of serious side effects are reported.
      By: Ilike
      Most children receive the MMR immunization before beginning school, and few cases of serious side effects are reported.
    • The side effects of the MMR vaccine are generally mild.
      By: Photographee.eu
      The side effects of the MMR vaccine are generally mild.
    • Thanks to the MMR vaccine, many developed countries are largely free of mumps, measles or rubella outbreaks.
      By: Filip Ristevski
      Thanks to the MMR vaccine, many developed countries are largely free of mumps, measles or rubella outbreaks.