What are the possible side effects of the MMR vaccine?
The normal procedure for licensing was used for MMR and the vaccine was thoroughly tested before being introduced into the UK in 1988. All medicines can cause side effects. International research has demonstrated that the MMR vaccine is the safest way to protect against the risks of measles, mumps and rubella. The evidence is that MMR vaccine does not cause autism or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The vaccine can cause a fever and /or a rash. A less common reaction is swelling of the salivary glands, which may occur in the third week after vaccination. Rarely, some individuals experience a severe allergic reaction to the vaccination or a component of the vaccine very shortly after the vaccine has been injected. This is called anaphylaxis and the staff administering the vaccine are trained to recognise and treat it. Other reactions are extremely rare.
