Logan Reed
Mumps is a contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, such as hearing loss, meningitis, and testicular inflammation in males who have reached puberty. Before the development of a vaccine, almost every child in the United States contracted mumps, making it one of the leading causes of childhood deafness. The first experimental mumps vaccine was licensed in 1948, but it only provided short-term effectiveness. In the 1960s, improved vaccines became commercially available, and in 1967, the live attenuated mumps vaccine used today was licensed. This vaccine was combined with measles and rubella vaccines to create the MMR vaccine, licensed in 1971. The CDC recommends that all children over 12 months old receive the MMR vaccine, with a second dose administered between the ages of two and six years. As of 2005, 110 countries included the mumps vaccine in their immunization programs, and the World Health Organization recommends routine mumps vaccination in countries with established childhood vaccination programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When did mumps vaccine become routine? | 1971 |
| When did the US CDC recommend mumps immunization for all children? | 1977 |
| When did the US CDC begin recommending a two-dose immunization of MMR? | 1998 |
| When did the first experimental mumps vaccine get licensed? | 1948 |
| When did improved mumps vaccines become commercially available? | 1960s |
| When did the mumps vaccine program begin in the US? | 1967 |
| When did the number of mumps cases start increasing again in the US? | 2006 |
| When did the most recent outbreaks occur? | During the pandemic |
| How many doses of the mumps vaccine are required for long-term prevention? | 2 |
| When is the initial dose recommended? | Between 12 and 18 months of age |
| When is the second dose typically given? | Between two years and six years of age |
| Who should not be given the vaccine? | Pregnant people and people with a very poor immune system function |
| What are some mild side effects of the vaccine? | Soreness and swelling at the site of injection, parotisis, mild fever |
| What are some rare side effects of the vaccine? | Seizures, temporary low platelet count |
| What is the best protection against mumps? | MMR vaccine |
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What You'll Learn
Mumps vaccine history
Mumps is a contagious disease that used to be very common in the United States, with almost every child contracting the infection. The development of a mumps vaccine was targeted during World War II, as adult men in close quarters during wartime were at a higher risk of developing debilitating testicular inflammation. The first experimental mumps vaccine was licensed in 1948, but it was only effective in the short term.
In the 1960s, Maurice Hilleman of Merck & Co. developed the first effective mumps vaccine, called Mumpsvax, using samples of the mumps virus from his daughter, Jeryl Lynn. This vaccine was based on live attenuated virus strains developed in embryonic hens' eggs and chick embryo cell cultures. The Leningrad-3 strain, developed in guinea pig kidney cell culture, has been used since 1950 in former Soviet countries.
In 1967, the live attenuated mumps vaccine used today was licensed in the United States. This vaccine was then included in Merck's combined MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, which was licensed in 1971. By 1974, 40% of American children had received the combined MMR vaccine. In 1977, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended MMR immunization for all children over 12 months, and in 1998, they began recommending a two-dose immunization.
Since the introduction of the mumps vaccine, cases of mumps in the United States have dropped by over 99%. As of 2005, 110 countries included the mumps vaccine in their immunization programs, often in combination with measles and rubella as the MMR vaccine. A formulation with these three and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, known as MMRV, is also available. The World Health Organization recommends mumps immunization via the MMR vaccine in countries with well-established childhood vaccination programs.
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MMR vaccine
Mumps is a contagious disease that used to be very common in the United States. Before the mumps vaccine was introduced, almost every child in the US contracted mumps. The first experimental mumps vaccine was licensed in 1948, but it was only effective in the short term. In the 1960s, improved vaccines became commercially available. In 1967, the US mumps vaccination programme began, and the number of cases in the US has since dropped by over 99%.
The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. It was licensed in 1971, and by 1974, 40% of American children had received it. In 1977, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended mumps immunisation for all children over 12 months, in the form of the MMR vaccine. In 1998, the CDC began recommending a two-dose immunisation of MMR. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mumps immunisation be accomplished via the MMR vaccine, rather than a single-component mumps vaccine.
The MMRV vaccine is a variation of the MMR vaccine that also protects against chickenpox. This vaccine is available for children aged 1 to 12 years.
The mumps vaccine is given by a subcutaneous injection of live virus. Two doses are required for long-term prevention. The initial dose is recommended between 12 and 18 months of age, and the second dose is typically given between two years and six years of age. Side effects are usually mild and may include slight soreness and swelling at the site of injection, parotitis, and mild fever. More severe side effects are rare.
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Mumps vaccine side effects
Mumps is a highly contagious disease that was once very common in the United States, with nearly every child contracting it. However, the introduction of the mumps vaccine has drastically reduced infection rates, resulting in a more than 90% decline in disease prevalence. The mumps vaccine is typically administered as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) or MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella/chickenpox) vaccine.
While the MMR and MMRV vaccines are generally safe, as with any medication, there is a small risk of side effects. These side effects are usually mild and temporary, lasting only a few days, and do not require specific treatment. Common side effects include:
- A raised, blotchy rash (similar to a measles rash)
- Feeling unwell
- High fever (above 39.4 °C) lasting 2 to 3 days
- Swollen glands in the cheeks, neck, and jaw
- Aching or stiff joints, more common in teenage or adult women without prior immunity to rubella
- Mild soreness and swelling at the injection site
- Parotitis
More rare but significant side effects may include:
- Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count, which can lead to bleeding disorders
- Seizures, occurring in about 1 out of every 3,000 doses
- Orchitis and sensorineural deafness
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), which can be life-threatening
It is important to note that the likelihood of experiencing side effects is significantly lower than the risks associated with contracting mumps, which can lead to serious complications such as meningitis, blindness, and hearing loss. The MMR and MMRV vaccines have been continuously monitored by the CDC and FDA to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
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Mumps vaccine effectiveness
Mumps is a highly contagious disease that used to be very common in the United States, with almost every child contracting the disease before the vaccine was introduced. The first experimental mumps vaccine was licensed in 1948, but it was based on inactivated viruses and only provided short-term protection. In the 1960s, improved vaccines were developed using live, weakened viruses, which became the basis for the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.
The MMR vaccine has been proven safe and effective in preventing mumps, measles, and rubella. It is recommended for all children and is typically given in two doses, with the initial dose administered between 12 and 18 months of age, and the second dose given between two and six years of age. The MMR vaccine is also recommended for adults who did not receive it during childhood or who may be at risk due to their profession, such as healthcare workers.
While the MMR vaccine is generally safe, it can cause mild side effects such as soreness and swelling at the injection site, mild fever, and parotitis. More severe side effects are rare but may include seizures and temporary low platelet count. There is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, and it is considered safe for breastfeeding women.
The effectiveness of the mumps vaccine in preventing the disease is well-established. In areas where widespread vaccination is carried out, there has been a more than 90% decline in mumps cases. The vaccine has been so successful that the number of mumps cases in the United States has dropped by over 99%. However, there have been recent outbreaks of mumps in vaccinated communities, raising questions about the waning of vaccine-derived immunity and the possible need for modified vaccine dosing schedules or new vaccine development.
Overall, the mumps vaccine has been a highly effective tool in preventing mumps infections and reducing the disease's prevalence. While there may be ongoing research and adjustments to optimize its effectiveness, the vaccine continues to play a crucial role in protecting individuals and communities from this once-common disease.
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Mumps vaccine recommendations
Mumps is a contagious and serious disease that, before the introduction of a vaccine, almost every child in the United States contracted during childhood. Since the introduction of the vaccine in 1967, there has been a more than 99% decrease in mumps cases in the United States. However, mumps outbreaks still occur, particularly in settings where people have close, prolonged contact, such as universities, schools, and correctional facilities. Therefore, it is important to maintain high vaccination coverage to limit mumps outbreaks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends routine mumps vaccination in countries with well-established and effective childhood vaccination programs and the capacity to maintain high-level vaccination coverage with measles and rubella vaccination (over 80% coverage). WHO prioritises measles control and the prevention of congenital rubella syndrome over mumps control.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for children over 12 months of age. The initial dose is recommended between 12 and 18 months of age, and the second dose is typically given between two and six years of age. Children ages one through 12 years can receive the MMRV vaccine, which also protects against chickenpox.
During a mumps outbreak, public health authorities may recommend an additional dose of the MMR vaccine for people in high-risk groups, such as those in close contact with an infected person. Adults who did not receive the vaccine as a child or have not had mumps may also need at least one dose of the vaccine. Healthcare professionals who have not had mumps are recommended to receive two doses of the vaccine.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all children need to get the mumps vaccine as part of their routine vaccine schedule.
The initial dose is recommended between 12 and 18 months of age. The second dose is then typically given between two years and six years of age.
Mumps is a contagious disease that can lead to serious complications like hearing loss. The mumps vaccine is necessary to prevent the disease and has resulted in a more than 90% decline in disease rates.
