Question

A young mother presents to the clinic with her 12-month-old daughter for a well-child exam and to update vaccinations. While you are collecting the child’s vital signs and measurements, the mother states that she does not want the child to receive the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine because it is a live virus and she recently read on Facebook that it causes autism. How do you, as the nurse, respond to the mother in addressing her concerns while educating her about the vaccine itself and whether or not it is safe?

Answer 1

Full vaccination is important for proper growth and devolopment.

MMR gives protection against measles, mumps, rubella. Every vaccine has some sideeffects ,mmr does have side effects.  

MMR is not only a live attenuated vaccine but also vaccine like JE and Polio are also live attenuated vaccine .

CDC and FDA are associated with monitoring of vaccine safety. They strongly said that mmr is safe for administration . The side effects are common but it is better to have some sideeffects than to have Measles, mumps and rubella .

Side effects of MMR Are - sore arm , fever,mild rash, pain and stiffness in the joints which goes without treatment .MMR vaccine had a very rare sideeffect i.e. febrile sizure .but it doesnot have any long effect and it is very rare. Excessive swelling of cheeks and neck , temporary low platelet count occure but it goes with time.

According to a study by Destefno it is cited that several epidemiological study do not found any association between MMR and autism even in high risk patient. Autism is a genetic disorder. .so vaccination at right time should be done