BMJ Best Practice Podcast Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination
May 5, 2025
Helen Bedford, a leading expert on children's health from UCL Institute of Child Health, discusses the crucial role of the MMR vaccine in preventing serious illnesses. She highlights the alarming resurgence of measles due to low vaccination rates and debunks the myth linking the MMR vaccine to autism. Bedford emphasizes the importance of achieving community immunity and encourages women planning pregnancy to ensure they are vaccinated. The conversation sheds light on addressing vaccine hesitancy and the need for effective communication in public health.
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Overview of Mumps
- Mumps begins with nonspecific symptoms like muscle aches and malaise.
- It can cause complications like orchitis and aseptic meningitis, worse in adults.
Measles Characteristics and Risks
- Measles starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a distinctive rash and coplic spots.
- It causes serious complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, and high mortality in low-income countries.
Rubella and Pregnancy Risks
- Rubella is usually mild with few symptoms, but dangerous in early pregnancy.
- Congenital rubella syndrome can cause severe birth defects and developmental delays.