MMR Side Effects (Cont.)

Severe Side Effects of MMR

Severe MMR side effects occur very rarely. In less than 1 out of a million doses, a serious allergic reaction will occur.
 
Symptoms that may indicate an allergic reaction or other serious side effect include:
 
  • Trouble breathing
  • Hoarseness
  • Wheezing
  • Hives
  • Pale skin
  • Weakness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • High fever
  • Behavioral changes.
     
These serious MMR side effects can happen anywhere from within a few minutes of the shot up to a few hours after the shot. They can also occur 1 or 2 weeks later. If any of these serious problems do occur, call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away. Tell the doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the MMR vaccine was given.
 
Several other severe MMR side effects have been known to occur after a child gets the MMR vaccine, but this happens so rarely, experts cannot be sure if the symptoms are caused by the vaccine or not. These can include:
 
  • Deafness
  • Long-term seizures
  • Coma
  • Lowered consciousness
  • Permanent brain damage.
     

MMR Side Effects: Know the Precautions

There are certain groups of people who are at higher risk for MMR side effects. It is important to heed these precautions about the MMR vaccine:
 
  • People should not get the MMR vaccine if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or to a previous dose of MMR vaccine.
     
  • Pregnant women should wait to get the MMR vaccine until after they have given birth. Women should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after getting the MMR vaccine.
     
  • People who are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting the MMR vaccine.
     
  • People who recently had a transfusion or were given other blood products should ask their doctor when they may get the MMR vaccine.
     
  • Some people should check with their doctor about whether they should get MMR vaccine, including anyone who:
o Has HIV/AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, or another disease that affects the immune system
o Is being treated with drugs, such as steroids, that affect the immune system for 2 weeks or longer
o Has any kind of cancer
o Is getting cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
o Has ever had a low platelet count (a blood disorder).
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;