MPR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella

Vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella is included in the general childhood vaccination program in Sweden. Adults are also advised to review their protection against the diseases. In the case of measles, people born in the 70s may need to supplement with a dose of vaccine if they did not have the disease as children. People born in the 60s may be unvaccinated and need two doses of vaccine. If you were born earlier than that, you are expected to have had measles as a child.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease with high fever, dry cough, eye irritation and rash. Complications such as ear infections, pneumonia and meningitis can occur. The latter is an unusual but serious complication. The virus is transmitted through the air during, for example, coughing or sneezing. As many in Sweden are vaccinated, the risk of infection is relatively small, but it can be greater when traveling abroad.

Mumps is a viral disease that in some cases can have a complicated course with meningitis. Boys who fall ill after puberty can get testicular inflammation. There is a small risk of infertility in boys after illness with testicular inflammation. The symptoms are fever, headache, nausea and vomiting as well as swelling of the lower jaw. The infection is airborne.

Red Dog is a viral disease that can cause birth defects if you fall ill during pregnancy. The infection is airborne. Symptoms of the disease include runny nose, fever, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes and rash.

The MPR vaccine

The vaccine is a live, attenuated vaccine. It is given in two doses. Dose two is given no earlier than four weeks after the first dose. However, it can be an advantage to extend the interval between doses to get maximum protection. It is a triple vaccine where protection against all three diseases is included in the same injection.

In case of ongoing fever, the vaccination should be postponed. The vaccine should not be given to people with weakened immune systems.

Vaccination when traveling abroad

In many countries, outbreaks of measles in particular occur and vaccination coverage among the population can vary, which means that the risk of infection can be higher than in Sweden.

Source:
WHO