Measles, mumps and rubella: is the vaccination a good idea?

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious diseases. In Switzerland, a triple vaccine is available to protect children, but is the MMR vaccination helpful? We provide the information so you can make up your mind.

Measles

A distinctive skin rash becomes visible in the later stage of measles. There is also the risk of complications such as meningitis and infections of the middle ear.

Mumps

In the case of mumps, in addition to malaise and headaches, the parotid glands may swell painfully on one or both sides.

Rubella

Rubella produces a rash on small patches of skin, starting on the face and then spreading across the whole body. There may also be painful swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and behind the ears. But that’s not all. An infection with rubella in the early weeks of pregnancy can lead to severe birth defects, for example of the inner ear, the heart, the eyes or the brain, in approximately 70 to 90 of out of every 100 unborn children – and even to premature birth or stillbirth.

Infection rate

If 1,000 unvaccinated children and adolescents came into contact with the measles virus, approximately 931 of them would contract measles. For every 1,000 children and adolescents vaccinated, 14 would become ill.

If 1,000 unvaccinated children and adolescents came into contact with the mumps virus, approximately 360 of them would contract mumps. For every 1,000 children and adolescents vaccinated, 50 would become ill.

And if 1,000 unvaccinated children and adolescents came into contact with the rubella virus, approximately 500 of them would contract rubella. For every 1,000 children and adolescents vaccinated, 35 would become ill. Embryos and unborn children of mothers who are not vaccinated against rubella and contract the disease have a much higher risk of harm.

Possible side effects

As with any vaccination, redness, soreness and swelling may be experienced at the site of injection. A maximum of 2 out of 1,000 children who receive the vaccination suffer convulsions due to fever as a result. In fewer than 1 in 1,000 cases, vaccination can lead to a temporary drop in platelet levels, increasing the chance of bleeding.

The likelihood of coming into contact with measles, mumps and rubella pathogens is dependent on many factors, such as the number of people who have been vaccinated in the general population. The more people vaccinated, the less the viruses can spread. Get vaccinated, and you’re protecting not only yourself, but also others, against infection. Ultimately, parents need to decide for themselves and for their child whether or not the MMR vaccination is a good idea. We hope you now have a clearer overview of this complex issue.