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MMR Vaccine: Debunking Myths

The MMR vaccine is an important vaccine for children to prevent infection from measles, mumps, and rubella. These three diseases are very common among children and the vaccine can protect them for life.

Measles, mumps, and rubella are contagious viral infections. Measles can cause high fever and severe flu-like symptoms such as cough and a runny nose, as well as pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhea, and a rash covering the body. In rare cases, it can also cause brain damage and lead to death. 

Mumps can also cause fever, in addition to muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Most people will experience swelling of the salivary glands under the ears and a swollen jaw. It can also cause deafness and swelling of the brain, and in rare cases, lead to death.

Rubella has symptoms similar to measles, such as a fever, a sore throat, and rash. Other symptoms include headaches and eye irritation. It can also cause arthritis in teenagers and adult women. For pregnant women, there’s a high risk of miscarriage or the baby being born with serious birth defects. 

Due to the severity of these diseases, it is highly recommended that children receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose administered at 12 months of age and the second one administered at ages 4. Sometimes during outbreaks, a third dose may be recommended. And for babies traveling outside the US between 6 months and 11 months, it is best that they receive the vaccine prior to travel.

There are many myths regarding the MMR vaccine. Below are some of them along with facts.

Myth: The vaccine can cause autism.

Fact: There is no scientific data indicating a connection between the two. There is, however, a lot of evidence that the vaccine does not cause autism.

Myth: The vaccine is fatal.

Fact: No deaths have been associated with the vaccine among healthy people. The vaccine may have side effects such as fever, dizziness, soreness, a rash, and swelling, which are usually temporary. There are other rarely documented side effects which are not commonly seen. It’s important to note that vaccines undergo a vetting process before being approved and for most children, the vaccine is safer than the risk of getting infected by Measles, Mumps or Rubella.

Myth: The MMR vaccine can cause measles.

Fact: The vaccine is made from a live virus, although it does not contain measles and the virus is weakened to the point that it cannot cause disease. Instead, it causes your body to recognize the virus and develop immunity. 

Myth: The MMR vaccine does not protect people from Measles, Mumps or Rubella.

The MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent the spread of Measles, Mumps and Rubella and saves thousands of lives every year. As Measles, Mumps and Rubella are highly contagious, outbreaks occur in the US. But the vaccine has been able to lower the number of deaths and the number of people infected. While proper sanitation can help, Measles, Mumps and Rubella can be spread from person to person and through the air. 

Why can’t I just get them as separate vaccines?  A Measles vaccine, a Mumps vaccine and a Rubella vaccine separately?

The Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines are not manufactured separately in the United States, it is only available as a combination vaccine of MMR.  They have not been available as stand alone vaccines since the 1970s in the US. Some reasoning for this is that the combination vaccine was proven to have superior effectiveness and less risk of side effects.

At Peninsula Pediatrics, we firmly believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives as well as the safety of our vaccines.  We follow the vaccine schedule outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  If you have any questions or concerns about the MMR vaccine or any other vaccines, please contact our office. 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Vaccines-What-You-Need-to-Know.aspx

https://www.idsociety.org/public-health/measles/myths-and-facts/

This season has been hit hard with cases of respiratory viruses in children, as RSV, the flu, Covid-19, and the common cold are spreading around. Fortunately, there are many home remedies to treat your children’s symptoms. 

If your child has a runny nose, try using a saline nasal spray by adding one to two drops in each nostril. Doing so will loosen any dry mucus (which contains the virus) and make it easier to remove. For babies, using a rubber suction bulb or nose frida is recommended to gently suck out extra drops or mucous.   Humidifiers with a cool mist vaporizer are also effective in relieving congestion. Humidifiers help make the mucus thinner so that your child can breathe more easily. Note that it’s essential to avoid any hot-water vaporizer as the steam can burn your child. It’s also important to keep the humidifiers clean to avoid bacteria growth and mold.

For a sore throat or if your child is coughing a lot, you can give your child honey mixed in warm water or herbal tea, only if your child is older than one year. For babies under one year of age, honey is not safe to give to them. Honey can soothe children’s throat and cough by thinning the mucus and by doing so, reducing your child’s cough. You can try 1-2 teaspoons, before bed can be especially helpful.

Make sure your child is also drinking enough fluids as it’s important to keep them hydrated to thin out the mucus production. For children over 5 years of age, you can try using cough drops for relief if their cough is not improving. Warm baths or showers can also help clear out the airways.  As well as what we call steamy bathroom treatments – steam up the bathroom and take your child with you into the steamed up bathroom for 10-15 minutes to help clear congestion.

When your child is sick, it’s important to also ensure that they’re getting enough sleep and rest to strengthen the immune system. 

If your child has a fever, you can give them acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (if your child is at least 6 months old). However, we advise calling our office or referencing our dosage sheets on our website before giving medication to children under 2. Always make sure to follow directions on the medication/dosage sheet for correct dosage based on your child’s weight and age. And if your infant is under 3 months and has a fever, please contact us right away. 

In most cases, your child will not need antibiotics as they do not fight viruses and can sometimes be harmful to children. There are certain infections, however, that may require antibiotics. Our pediatrician will evaluate your child before providing a prescription. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s illness or about using remedies to treat your child, please contact our office. 

The holiday season can be fun and joyous as many of us get into the spirit and festivities. However, it can also be stressful for a lot of families, especially as you seek time to finish your holiday shopping, prepare for gatherings, fulfill social demands, and deal with changes in routines. We have some tips on how you and your family can manage and reduce the overwhelm and be able to enjoy the holidays.

Maintain your family’s routine as much as possible.

Your kids might want to stay up late on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Dinner might start an hour later than usual when you have guests over for a gathering. While it’s normal for schedules to fall out of sync on holidays, try to maintain your family’s typical routine on the days surrounding the holidays as much as you can. Make sure your kids are getting adequate sleep and eating well. Staying up late for New Year’s is fine but it’s important that your kids don’t fall into a new sleep pattern where they’re going to bed later than usual and waking up late. This can make returning to school after winter vacation more challenging.

Enlist your children’s help.

As a parent or caregiver, you probably have a lot on your plate. And preparing holiday dinners and gatherings can quickly make everything more stressful and exhausting. Your kids can pick up on that energy too and it can interfere with their own well-being. Try enlisting your children’s help in holiday tasks and preparations. Not only will that alleviate some of the workload on your end, but it will also be a fun way to engage the family in the holiday spirit. Playing music while decorating cookies or hanging up decorations together as a family can become fun activities and ease the stress of getting things done.

Set realistic expectations and learn to say no.

You don’t have to say yes to everything! If a party invitation is just one too many, it’s okay to say no. There’s a lot that goes on during the holidays, including parties and get-togethers. Be realistic with your schedule about what you can attend and what you can’t.

Follow health precautions to prevent illness.

Respiratory viruses like RSV, the flu, Covid-19, and the common cold have been spreading this holiday season and cases have been rising. Your child becoming sick can make the holidays more stressful. Ensure that your family is taking precautions, including regular hand-washing, disinfecting surfaces and objects, distancing from people who are sick, and wearing masks in high-risk spaces.

Don’t forget to unwind.

You might have a long to-do list, but always make time to unwind during the busyness. Doing so will give your family a break, time to relax and de-stress, and some peace. Down time can be sipping cocoa while watching a holiday movie or reading your kids a book.

It’s also good to check in on how your kids are doing. Holiday stress can sometimes affect children’s anxiety and mental health. Show them your support so that they feel comfortable opening up, which will allow you to be able to help them. And remember, we are also here for your family. Call our office if you need to reach us.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season!