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Is MMR Vaccine Safe For A Toddler?

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Posted on Mon, 24 Aug 2015
Question: Hello Doctor,

My 15 months old baby's MMR Vaccine is due on next week.
Now I am getting very mixed reviews about this Vaccine!! I am also reading some articles when it is saying that Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine is a Potential Cause of Encephalitis (Brain Inflammation) in Children. Some other saying MMR can cause autism or might effect hearing ability for a baby.

My local doctor said MMR is safe and when they are also being given in countries like USA and Europe why we need to bother !!! But when something is being discussed about , I personally feel there should be some reason behind it.

Wanted to know your opinion on the same...
Is this Vaccine that important?

Also please let me know if we can give this Vaccine when my baby is 5 years old instead of now (instead of now)? I am bit finicky about injecting live viruses to my baby.

Thanks and Regards
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
MMR vaccine is safe and is indicated

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX.... In my personal opinion MMR vaccine is very safe. The expected side effect is a fever if 24-48 hours within or upto 5-6 days post vaccination.

I do not disagree with what you have read about autism and MMR vaccine. But it was an old thought which did not stand for scientific reasoning. Recent studies have shown not causal association between MMR vaccine and autism. So do not worry about it.

Though it is a live viral vaccine, it is perfectly safe. Do not worry about encephalitis.

Coming to the question of importance - yes - I agree that it is an important vaccine.

Regarding your question about giving it at 5 years - I suggest you give the first dose nowyat 15 months and the booster at 5 years of age. Do not delay the first dose till 5 years.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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Is MMR Vaccine Safe For A Toddler?

Brief Answer: MMR vaccine is safe and is indicated Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX.... In my personal opinion MMR vaccine is very safe. The expected side effect is a fever if 24-48 hours within or upto 5-6 days post vaccination. I do not disagree with what you have read about autism and MMR vaccine. But it was an old thought which did not stand for scientific reasoning. Recent studies have shown not causal association between MMR vaccine and autism. So do not worry about it. Though it is a live viral vaccine, it is perfectly safe. Do not worry about encephalitis. Coming to the question of importance - yes - I agree that it is an important vaccine. Regarding your question about giving it at 5 years - I suggest you give the first dose nowyat 15 months and the booster at 5 years of age. Do not delay the first dose till 5 years. Regards - Dr. Sumanth