Is your child turning one soon? It’s time to get another vaccine shot! Here’s what you need to know about the MMR vaccine in the Philippines.
Since birth, your child has been given vaccines to boost their protection against serious diseases. During baby’s first checkup, their pediatrician must have given you an immunization chart listing all the important vaccines that your child needs. One of these is the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine, or more commonly known as MMR.
MMR Vaccine in the Philippines
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the MMR vaccine protects against four kinds of infectious diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, and sometimes, varicella (chickenpox).
Measles is a viral infection that is common in children. According to the website Healthy Children.org, it can cause fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that covers the whole body. It can even lead to seizures (often associated with fever), ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia. In rare cases, measles can cause brain damage or death.
Meanwhile, mumps can cause fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears. Its complications can include deafness, swelling of the brain and/or spinal cord covering, painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and, very rarely, death.
On the other hand, rubella or German measles can cause fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and eye irritation. In some cases, it can cause arthritis in up to half of the teenage and adult women.
While it is not usually dangerous in children, it’s very harmful to expectant moms. If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.
MMR Vaccines Philippines
Possible complication
Because of the severity of the possible complications from the said common diseases, the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) has included MMR as one of the vaccines that are included in the National Immunization Program (NIP) by the Department of Health, which encourages parents to get their children vaccinated with these important shots.
According to CDC, one dose of MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective against rubella. While 2 doses make it also 97 percent effective against measles and 88 percent against mumps.
However, some parents are apprehensive about getting their child vaccinated because of their own reasons. One of which is the misconceptions they read on social media. One common myth is that vaccines, particularly the MMR vaccine can cause autism in children. But is there any truth to these statements?
Misconceptions about the MMR Vaccine
Below are some common misconceptions and their evidence-based explanations:
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The MMR vaccine causes autism.
This is a myth.
The controversy surrounding the MMR vaccine started when a former doctor, Andrew Wakefield, wrote a paper in 1998 hypothesizing the association between the MMR vaccine and autism.
The observation is to be expected because MMR is administered within months before children are diagnosed with autism. The first dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended at 12 months, while autism is usually identified when the child is around 18 to 30 months.
“However, determination of whether MMR causes autism is best made by studying the incidence of autism in both vaccinated and unvaccinated children. This wasn’t done,” clarifies the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Science-backed studies have since disproven Wakefield’s claim, with evidence showing that autism has no link to the MMR vaccine and may even start in utero. The study by Wakefield was retracted in 2010 from The Lancet, where it was originally published.
Image from Pexels
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MMR diseases are quite mild, so my child doesn’t really need to be vaccinated against them.
As shown earlier, MMR diseases are not just mild; they potentially pose serious health risks, even death.
What’s important to note also is that the said diseases are very contagious. All three are spread through the air from person to person, and are common in school-aged children.
The measles outbreak declared in January 2014 is particularly alarming. Between January 1 and March 20, 2014, there were 17,630 suspected cases, 3,706 confirmed cases and 69 measles deaths in the Philippines.
For every case of measles, as many as 18 individuals can get infected. An early report by the DOH identified that 33% of the confirmed measles cases belonged to the 1- to 4-year old age group.
The MMR vaccine protects your child. According to the National Network for Immunization Information (US), 95% of those given the MMR or monovalent measles vaccine at 12 months of age or older are immune after the first dose; 99.7% are immune after the second dose. This immunity is for your child’s lifetime.
It should also be noted that although vaccination does not guarantee 100% protection, vaccinated children, if they do develop the disease, are expected to have a milder form.
“The beauty of having your vaccine is that even if it is not foolproof. It still lessens the severity of your disease. (It) makes the signs and symptoms milder,” said Dr. Cecilia Alinea, a pediatrician and ambulatory diseases specialist.
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It’s safer to administer the vaccines separately because it lessens the risk of harmful side effects and overloading the child’s immune system.
According to the CDC,
“The available scientific data show that simultaneous vaccination with multiple vaccines has no adverse effect on the normal childhood immune system.”
In fact, the list of vaccinations a newborn is subjected to so quickly and throughout the first year may look overwhelming, but it is perfectly alright. Babies are already exposed to thousands of germs and antigens as soon as they are born; their immune system is more than ready to respond to both these environmental antigens and the ones that are used in vaccines.
Like any medicine, there are minimal risks that come with vaccination. Still, the MMR vaccine is a much safer alternative for your child than the risks that come with measles, mumps, or rubella. Most children who get the MMR vaccine do not experience any side effects.
READ MORE:
Mumps, measles, and rubella: A parent’s guide to these diseases
Parents’ Guide: 14 vaccines your child should get from birth to 18 years old
MMR Vaccine Philippines: When should my baby get his MMR vaccine?
According to PPS, a child should have 2 doses of the MMR vaccine before age 12. The first dose will be given at a minimum age of 12 months, and the second dose is usually given at 4-6 years of age. But may be given at an earlier age with a minimum of 4 weeks interval between doses.
As mentioned earlier, most children to get the vaccine don’t experience any serious side effects. Like with any vaccine, the most common side effects are swelling or redness of the inoculated area, as well as a slight fever. Ask your child’s pediatrician if you can give the baby some pain reliever or warm compress to the vaccine site.
However, if your child experiences a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine. Like hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness. Don’t hesitate to contact your child’s doctor immediately.
What if my baby is sick on the scheduled date of vaccination?
If your child is unwell on his scheduled date of vaccination. Talk to his pediatrician because she can assess if the child can come in for the vaccination or it should be rescheduled. If your child misses the date, your child’s doctor would probably adjust it according to his immunization schedule. Your pediatrician can provide a schedule that best meets your child’s needs.
How much does MMR Vaccine cost in the Philippines?
As mentioned earlier, the MMR vaccine is included in the National Immunization Program in the Philippines. Not only does it mean that parents are encouraged to have their child vaccinated, but the government also made a way for it to be available free of charge in health centers all around the country.
However, for those who are opting to have their child vaccinated in private hospitals, the price for MMR vaccine starts at P1,500. You may ask your child’s pediatrician about the cost prior to his vaccination schedule.
Image from Unsplash
As your child hits his first-year mark, he will be more exposed to different kinds of virus. These virus may cause diseases like mumps, measles and rubella. And in most of these diseases, the virus can reach your child way before the symptoms appear.
For this reason, the best protection you can give him and yourself are to get the MMR vaccine. Remember, measles is dangerous for pregnant women. . Don’t hesitate to talk to your child’s pediatrician about it if you have any questions about the vaccine or his immunization schedule.
MMR Vaccine Philippines: Conclusion
Ensuring the well-being of your child involves making informed choices about their health, and one crucial decision is opting for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This vaccine is not just about shielding your child; it’s a key step in fostering a healthier community.
The MMR vaccine guards against serious threats—measles, with its potential for pneumonia; mumps, causing discomfort and complications like meningitis; and rubella, which, during pregnancy, can lead to birth defects. Think of it as a shield against these contagious adversaries.
Beyond personal protection, the MMR vaccine contributes to something bigger—herd immunity. By vaccinating your child, you’re indirectly safeguarding those who can’t receive the vaccine, like infants or those with certain health conditions.
Picture a world where outbreaks are rare, healthcare costs are minimized, and vulnerable members of our community are shielded. This is the world you help create by choosing the MMR vaccine. It’s not just a health choice; it’s a collective effort toward global well-being.
In essence, the MMR vaccine is your child’s armor against potential health threats and a powerful contribution to the health of our shared community. If you have any questions or concerns, consult with healthcare professionals—they’re here to guide you on this journey of safeguarding your child’s health and the health of those around them.
Additional information by Camille Eusebio and Jobelle Macayan
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