We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Is Mumps Immunization Safe?

By L. Hautzinger
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,814
Share

Mumps immunization is safe and extremely effective in preventing the onset of the mumps virus in young children. Since the first mumps immunization became available in 1967, hundreds of millions of doses have been administered, with an excellent safety record. The vaccine is strongly recommended by several leading medical groups, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also, there is no scientific evidence that the mumps immunization or any other popular immunization for childhood illnesses such as measles, rubella or chicken pox, cause autism.

The mumps immunization is often combined with other vaccines and given as the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose of MMR is usually administered to infants who are 12-16 months old. This first dosage of the MMR immunization has been found to provide a 97 percent immunity to mumps, a 95 to 98 percent immunity to measles and a 95 percent immunity to rubella. The second dosage is usually administered in school-age children between 4-6 years of age. This second dose is intended to provide immunity for those children who did not respond to the first dose.

Generally, the side effects to the MMR vaccine are mild. Many children might feel a soreness in the area where the shot is given, and the soreness might last for a few hours. Fever is another common side effect, and it occurs in roughly 5-15 percent of all recipients. A mild rash can also affect about 5 percent of patients. These side effects usually surface about seven to 12 days after the immunization is given. More severe reactions, including allergic reactions, are very rare.

Prior to the introduction of the mumps vaccine in 1967, the mumps virus was a common childhood illness that featured swelling of the salivary glands or glands behind the ears. Many cases were mild but some mumps infections could lead to meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Complications of meningitis can cause permanent deafness. These risks far outweigh the mild side effects of mumps immunization with the MMR vaccine.

Suspicions that the MMR vaccine caused autism first arose in 1998 with the publication of a paper by Andrew Wakefield citing a study of 12 British children who displayed symptoms of autism after being treated with the MMR immunization. The paper was quickly discredited as false. Since its publication, several studies have shown no link between rise of autism rates and the use of the MMR vaccine.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Sporkasia — On Dec 20, 2014

As parents we have to do what we think is best for our children regardless of what other people think of us. There are plenty of times when I honestly don't know what is best, but I make the best decisions I know how to make, and we live with the consequences. Far be it from me to tell another parent that he or she has to make sure his or her little one has a measles vaccination or a chickenpox vaccination or any type of vaccination.

I have a difficult enough time making the decisions for my own children. How am I supposed to make the decisions for other parents' children? After all, they are the ones who have to live with the outcome.

By Drentel — On Dec 19, 2014

Even if the MMR vaccine is not totally safe, I think having the shot is a better option than not having it. We know some of the long term effects associated with mumps, such as the ones mentioned in the above article, so I think the risk is worth the potential reward. There is no way I would have prevented my daughters from having this vaccination.

By Animandel — On Dec 18, 2014

Even though the Andrew Wakefield paper mentioned in this article has since been contradicted and discredited, there are still way too many parents who are not having their children immunized against mumps and other childhood diseases because they believe there is a connection between the vaccines and autism.

I work in the medical profession and I am alarmed by the numbers of children who are not vaccinated in the U.S. Children in poor and impoverished nations are slowly getting all of the vaccinations they need thanks to efforts by governments and charitable organizations and medical organization, and here in the U.S. we are headed in the wrong direction.

Slowly, we are finding ourselves dealing with diseases that were all but wiped out here in this country.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/is-mumps-immunization-safe.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.