AskDrSears - The Vaccine Book: Separate Mumps Vaccine Returns

Separate Mumps Vaccine Returns

Friday, January 25, 2008

After almost a year of shortage, the separate Mumps vaccine is now available again. Mumps, a usually harmless childhood disease that causes swollen facial glands, fever, and rash, is one of the diseases covered by the MMR vaccine (Measles and Rubella are the other two illnesses). The MMR is normally given at 1 and 5 years of age to provide protection from these three diseases. However, recent worry over the connection between the Measles component of the MMR vaccine and autism (see my blog on this http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/archives/2007_10_01_archive.asp ) has caused some parents to shy away from this triple vaccine at age 1. But parents do typically want their kids to be protected from Mumps and Rubella.

One option parents are following is to give the plain Mumps vaccine at age 1, Rubella at age 2, and then Measles at age 3 (if all is well with a child’s development). Because of this increased demand for the individual Mumps shot, along with the adult Mumps outbreak two years ago that ate into the nation’s stores of Mumps vaccine, the vaccine became unavailable last year. But now it’s back. Parents who have been waiting to get their kids vaccinated for Mumps should contact their doctor. See my related blog under FAQ’s with information on where to get the shot if your doctor doesn’t carry it.

3 Comments:

At January 26, 2008 9:22 AM , vivarocks said...

THANK YOU!

DR BOB SEARS - you ROCK!! :)

I have been hunting for separate MMR's since my 2 year old was born - only to get that bleary eyed look back from friends, doctors, family, pharmicists. I never wanted to combine that shot, but also didnt want to rule them out entirelly. This, in my opinion, was not a difficult or pain in the arse request, but much to my shock, it was almost impossible to achieve.

One size not NOT always fit all and we parents should have CHOICES, ya know? Separate MMR shots - no biggie - yet try and try as i did, i could not find them available in separate vaccines.

THANK YOU for this news update and thank you for the book.

Finally there is a balanced book out there about this topic and i am very greatful you did it. that you took the stand. that you followed thru and that it came to life. i actually purchased the book from your office a year or so ago and now purchased the published copy, signed up for the newsletters and will start telling everyone i know that FINALLY there is an EASY TO READ, balanced, current book about this topic. that doesnt make you want to run for the hills. (or give up your original quest to create your own shot schedule...)

CONGRATS!
and THANK YOU!

I am printing the MUMPS 411 out and taking it to my sons pedi office El Camino Ped in Encinitas CA next week.

- keva dine
kmdine@gmail.com
At January 26, 2008 9:52 AM , tkline said...

My doctor will delay the MMR but will not separate the shot. Do you have any suggestions on how I can receive the shot separated without changing doctors? I like my doctor for the most part we just disagree on this issue.

Thank you,
Tiffani

P.S. I live in Southern California.
At January 28, 2008 5:59 PM , Crystal said...

I also spent a lot of time looking for somewhere that would order the separate Measles, Mumps, and Rubella for me. Our Pediatrician said they have to order a whole batch and there's not enough demand. I called vaccination clinics, everywhere I could think of! I'd be interested in your information of where to get the shots if your doctor doesn't carry it, under your FAQ's, but all I saw under the FAQ's was something about vitamin A and C. Thanks for the great information!

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