There has been a lot of controversy about the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR), but the CDC states that there is little to nothing to be afraid of with the vaccination as the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The measles is a serious infection causing rash, cough, watery eyes, and several complications like pneumonia and even death. Mumps is also a serious infection causing swollen salivary glands and muscle aches with complications of swollen testicles and pelvic pain in women. Finally, rubella causes a rash, itchy eyes, fever, and can cause miscarriage or serious birth defects if a woman gets the infection when she is pregnant. The CDC ensure the public that extreme side effects from the MMR vaccine are very rare, and it usually only causes a sore arm and possibly a fever. It is incredibly rare to get a seizure from the vaccination or have a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Additionally, the CDC describes how the MMR vaccine works. It contains a live, attenuated (weakened) form of the measles, mumps, and rubella virus. Additionally, there is a MMRV vaccine that also contains attenuated varicella-zoster virus. The vaccination for MMR is extremely effective with a 93%, 78%, and 97% effectiveness for measles, mumps, and rubella respectively after the first dose, and it also has an effectiveness of 97%, 88%, and 97% after the second dose. Additionally, these two doses protect people for life against measles and rubella; however, immunity for mumps decreases over time. The FDA reminds the US that the MMR vaccine is incredibly important, especially during the school year. The administration reiterates that the vaccine is completely safe and how serious it is that a preventable disease is making a comeback as false information is spread that the vaccine can cause autism. There have been recent outbreaks in the US because there is an increase in unvaccinated people. The FDA states that the vaccine is the best way to prevent infection so that no more outbreaks occur.
I believe it is crucial that people get the MMR vaccine. Although it may frighten some that it is an attenuated virus, the chances you or your child will become sick from it are little to none. I cannot understand how some parents are willing to risk their children getting serious infections because they read misinformation online and do not do their research on non-biased sources. Additionally, I think it is insane how people do not get the vaccine, especially with its extremely high effectiveness. It is absolutely necessary that parents vaccinate their children against MMR for the sake of their children’s lives and the sake of other people’s. Babies and immunocompromised people cannot receive certain vaccines and rely on herd immunity that doesn’t exist without everyone getting the vaccine who can. I believe the MMR is a safe vaccination and should be received by everyone who can get it.
Micro Madness 