Did you hear about that recent outbreak of measles? No, not in some far-off land. Right here, in good old USA! Yep, turns out that not everyone is vaccinating their kids against this potentially deadly disease. And while they may think they're just making a personal choice for themselves and their family, they're actually putting other people's health at risk too.
That's why it's so important to get your children vaccinated as soon as possible - once they hit 12 months old, in fact. So what exactly does the MMR shot consist of? How effective is it really? And are there any side effects to watch out for?
The Magic Recipe: What Goes into an MMR Vaccine?
First things first: let's talk ingredients. After all, nobody wants to put something untested or unknown into their little one's body...
Thankfully, the MMR vaccine has been around since the 1970s and thoroughly tested and improved upon since then. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each dose contains:
- A weakened form of live measles virus
- A weakened form of live mumps virus
- A weakened form of live rubella virus
- Various additives like sorbitol (a type of sugar) and neomycin (an antibiotic)
It might sound scary to be injecting viruses into your baby on purpose - but remember these are "live attenuated" viruses which means they've been altered so much that they cannot cause disease.
Shots Fired: The Benefits & Risks Of The MMR Immunization
So what sort of protection do babies gain from getting pricked by three different needles with three different vaccines inside them? Let me tell you; lots!
Firstly - and most obviously - it prevents them from contracting measles,mumps ,and rubella all at once which can have serious health consequences.
Measles, for instance, can result in severe complications such as:
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain tissue)
- Blindness
Mumps, on the other hand,can sometimes cause :
- Hearing loss
- Inflamed testicles which in rare cases leads to infertility
Rubella can be terrible when contracted by pregnant women. It causes a mild fever and rash in most people but if caught by a woman who is expecting it can lead to major issues like birth defects or miscarriage.Yikes!
The MMR vaccine also protects infants from something called "herd immunity." This means that when enough people are immune to certain diseases - thanks to vaccinations - even those who aren't immunized will have a lower chance of contracting them too. So by getting your baby vaccinated with MMR (assuming everyone else does too), you're doing your part in protecting not just your child but all the vulnerable individuals around them as well.
As far as risks go? The truth is that there's always some degree of risk involved any time we get our babies medical attention. But compared to many other medications and therapies out there, getting an MMR shot poses very little threat. Possible side effects may include:
-Mild fever -Injection site soreness -Rash
When To Line Up A Shot?
So now that you know how important it is for infants up 12 months old,to receive their first dose;'when' should parents set things up?
As soon as you take home ,your bundle of joy makes sure during regular diaper change appointment with pediatrician,this routine need comes top priority .This will ensure peace of mind about scheduling future needle pokes.
How Many Shots Are Needed For Full Protection?
Like many vaccines,the MMR shot isn't purely one-and-done.Babies Need two doses ,the recommended period between first and second shot is at 4-6 years. The reason for this is that some infants may not develop full immunity after only one, or their body may begin to lose its resistance over time.
By giving another dose down the line, you're guaranteed a better chance of lasting protection until they become an adult.
A Final Word
Whether or not we choose to admit it,diseases never take moment off!They'll always be lurking around the corner - waiting for someone who isn't prepared.Of course,it's ultimately up to individual parents to determine if they believe vaccinating their children is worth doing.But remember:"Prevention is Better than Cure". And when it comes to diseases like measles,mumps and rubella:it's way true!
So roll up those sleeves,send your baby through loading docks,and get him/her vaccinated with that triple-stack MMR heroin.Apparently,that vaccine-to-opiate-switching shenanigan doesn't work either ;)! Stay safe from all sorts of virulent organisms out there by getting immunized before others still procrastinate thinking 'this will just blow over'!!