The MMR shot provides an injection of weakened viruses for measles, mumps and rubella. Receiving this injection helps immunize infants and children from the three illnesses. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend all children between the ages of 12 months and 12 years receive this vaccine. As with any immunization, the MMR has the potential to produce side effects in infants.
Mild Side Effects
The CDC suggests that one out of every six individuals receiving the MMR vaccine will experience a mild fever. Other mild side effects may include a minor rash and/or swelling of the glands in the cheeks or neck. The CDC indicates that these problems occur within seven to 12 days after receiving the injection. Infants may be fussy, have difficulty sleeping and appear to have pain or tenderness at the site of the injection. This may last up to 48 hours after the vaccine is administered.
Moderate Side Effects
A high fever can occur in infants after receiving the vaccine. This can lead to seizures, as indicated by the CDC. Some toddlers may exhibit temporary pain or stiffness in the joints. Walking toddlers may appear to limp or have temporary paralysis of the leg that received the injection, but this is extremely rare. The CDC also indicates that in about one out of 30,000 doses of the MMR vaccine, individuals develop a temporary low platelet count resulting in a bleeding disorder.
Severe Side Effects
Some children may have an allergic reaction to the injection. This can manifest itself as hives, difficulty breathing and/or swelling of the face, lips, or the tongue or throat. The CDC suggests fewer than one out of one million doses will trigger an allergic response. The center also stresses that the incidence of several other problems is so rare that it is difficult to attribute them to the vaccine. Examples include deafness, long-term seizures, coma and/or permanent brain damage.
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