Importance of German Measles, Mumps and Measles Vaccine

German measles (rubella) is usually a mild disease consisting of fever and a rash; but it can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected with the virus in her first three months (or possibly later) of pregnancy.

Thus the general guidelines for German measles vaccine are that it should be given to all girls between their tenth and sixteenth birthday in most of the countries. In addition, women of childbearing age should be checked (by a blood test) for immunity, or even arrange to be vaccinated without testing. They are usually advised to avoid pregnancy for three months after vaccination, although studies have not in fact shown an increase in birth defects if pregnancy occurs earlier. A convenient time to get this done is immediately after a pregnancy, or else when the doctor prescribed a contraceptive. The vaccine is a modified live virus and is administered by injection beneath the skin. A single dose provides lifetime immunity for most people.

Mumps is caused by a virus that affects the parotid salivary glands in the mouth. In teenage and adult males, the virus may also endanger the testicles (possibly causing sterility). In women, the ovaries and breasts may become inflamed. The disease can also cause inflammation of the brain, and this may lead to deafness.

The mumps vaccine is a live, modified virus that is given in a single injection. It is recommended for all children between 12 and 15 months in most of the countries. It is also recommended for adolescence and for adults who have not had mumps or who lack antibodies to mumps. Because it is prepared in eggs, people with severe egg allergies shouldn't receive the vaccine.

Measles, the well-known childhood disease of fever and rash, it is also caused by a virus and may sometimes spread to the brain, causing deafness and mental retardation. The vaccine is modified live virus that is highly effective and is routinely recommended for all children aged 15 months. As with the mumps vaccine, it is not recommended for children with severe allergies.

Some Australian authorities now recommend and combined vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) to be given at the age of 15 months. Each vaccination, however, may be given separately as needed.