User:Mr. Ibrahem/MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine is a vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). The first dose is generally given to children around 9 to 15 months of age, with a second dose at 15 months to 6 years of age, with at least 4 weeks between the doses. After two doses, 97% of people are protected against measles, 88% against mumps, and at least 97% against rubella. The vaccine is also recommended in those who do not have evidence of immunity, those with well-controlled HIV/AIDS, and within 72 hours of exposure to measles among those who are incompletely immunized. It is given by injection into muscle or under the skin.

The MMR vaccine is widely used around the world, with over 500 million doses having been given in over 100 countries as of 2001. Measles resulted in 2.6 million deaths per year before immunization became common. This has decreased to 122,000 deaths per year as of 2012, mostly in low-income countries. Through vaccination, as of 2018, rates of measles in North and South America are very low. Rates of disease have been seen to increase in populations which go unvaccinated. Between 2000 and 2016, vaccination decreased measles deaths by a further 84%.

Side effects are generally mild and go away without any specific treatment. These may include fever, typically 7 and 10 days following vaccination, and a rash, 2 weeks after vaccination. Other side effects include pain or redness at the injection site. Severe allergic reactions occur in about one in a million people. Because it contains live viruses, the MMR vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, but may be given while breastfeeding. The vaccine is safe to give at the same time as other vaccines. Being recently immunized does not increase the risk of passing measles, mumps, or rubella on to others. Vaccination does not increase the risk of autism. The MMR vaccine is a mixture of live weakened viruses of the three diseases.

The MMR vaccine was developed by Maurice Hilleman. It was licensed for use by Merck in 1971. Stand-alone measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines had been previously licensed in 1963, 1967, and 1969 respectively. Recommendations for a second dose were introduced in 1989. The MMRV vaccine which also covers chickenpox may be used instead. An MR vaccine, without coverage for mumps, is also occasionally used. In the UK, one pre-filled MMR dose costs the NHS around £10 as of 2021.