The MMR vaccine is good because it effectively protects against serious diseases and their complications. It offers long-lasting protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Benefits of the MMR Vaccine
The primary benefit of the MMR vaccine is disease prevention.
- Prevents Measles, Mumps, and Rubella: The MMR vaccine protects against these three highly contagious viral diseases.
- Prevents Complications: It prevents the potentially severe complications associated with each disease.
- Measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and even death.
- Mumps can cause deafness, meningitis, and painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries.
- Rubella (especially dangerous for pregnant women) can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious birth defects.
Long-Term Protection
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who receive the MMR vaccine according to the U.S. vaccination schedule are usually considered protected for life against measles and rubella. This significantly reduces the risk of contracting these diseases and experiencing their potentially severe consequences. The MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting people against measles, mumps, and rubella, and preventing the complications caused by these diseases.
Effectiveness
| Disease | Protection Level (with two doses) |
|---|---|
| Measles | About 97% |
| Mumps | About 88% |
| Rubella | About 97% |
