Why get vaccinated?
Measles, mumps and rubella are serious diseases.
Measles
- Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation and fever.
- It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring), brain damage, and death.
Mumps
- Mumps virus causes fever, headache, and swollen glands.
- It can lead to deafness, meningitis, (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and, rarely death.
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Rubella (German Measles)
- Rubella virus causes rash, mild fever, and arthritis (mostly in women).
- If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.
You or your child could catch these diseases by being around someone who has them. They spread from person to person through the air.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can prevent these diseases.
Most children who get their MMR shots will not get these diseases. Many more children would get them if we stopped vaccinating.
Who should get MMR vaccine and when in this campaign?
Children aged 9 months -18 years .
Adults aged 19-24 years .
MMR vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
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Some people should not get MMR vaccine or should wait:
- People who have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or to a previous dose of MMR vaccine.
- People who are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting MMR vaccine.
- Pregnant women should wait to get MMR vaccine until after they have given birth. Women should avoid getting pregnant for 3 months after getting MMR vaccine.
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Some people should check with their doctor about whether they should get MMR vaccine, including anyone who:
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Has HIV/AIDS, or another disease that affects the immune system.
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Is being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or longer.
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Has any kind of cancer.
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Is taking cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs.
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Has ever had a low platelet count (a blood disorder).
People who recently had a transfusion or were given other blood products should ask their doctor when they may get MMR vaccine.
Ask your provider for more information.
What are the risks from MMR vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing allergic reactions. The risk of MMR vaccine causing serious harm is extremely rare.
Getting MMR vaccine is much safer than getting any of these three diseases.
Most people who get MMR vaccine do not have any problems with it.
Mild Problems:
- Fever (up to 1 person out of 6)
- Mild rash (about I person out of 20)
- Swelling of glands in the cheeks or neck (rare)
If these problems occur, it is usually within 7-12 days after the shot.
Moderate Problems:
- Seizure (jerking or staring) caused by fever (about 1 out of 3,000 doses)
- Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, mostly in teenage or adult women (up to 1 out of 4)
- Temporary low platelet count, which can cause a bleeding disorder (about 1 out of 30,000 doses)
Severe Problems (Very Rare):
- Serious allergic reaction (less than 1 out of a million doses)
- Other extremely rare problems. experts cannot be sure whether they are caused by the vaccine or not. These include Deafness, Long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness, brain damage.
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What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?
What should I look for?
Any unusual condition, such as high fever, weakness, or behavior changes. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.
What should I do?
- Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor, right away.
- Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.
- Ask your provider to report the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event form.
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The National Vaccination Campaign
A National Campaign in KSA for all population aged 9 months to 24 years on 2 stages:
- First stage: start 25September 2011 for 5 weeks targeting school children 6-18 years.
- Second stage: start 3 December 2011 for 5 weeks targeting children aged 9 months to less than 6 years and adults aged 19 to 24 years.
How can I learn more?
Call Infection Prevention & Control department at +966 1 801 1111 extensions 41087 & 43783 for any inquiries. |