Vaccinating Children Against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella– Prevent Dangerous Complications

Measles, mumps, and rubella are viral diseases that spread easily, especially at seasonal transitions, and can cause outbreaks.

Why Choose Hanoi French Hospital for Vaccination?

• Pediatricians trained to Western standards conduct thorough exams before vaccination
• Vaccines originating from the USA and Europe
• Cold storage facilities meet the highest safety standards
• Post-vaccination care guidance follows Ministry of Health and WHO recommendations
• Modern facilities and emergency readiness ensure safety and peace of mind

According to Dr. Phan Thi Thu Minh, Pediatrician at Hanoi French Hospital, Measles has a high transmission rate, and unvaccinated individuals, especially young children, are highly susceptible when exposed to the virus.

• Incubation period: 6 to 21 days
• Early symptoms: High fever, fatigue, poor appetite, conjunctivitis, runny nose, and cough. During this phase, Koplik’s spots may appear—these white spots on the inner cheeks are a distinctive sign of measles and appear 2-3 days before the rash. They are easily missed as they disappear quickly.
• Rash progression: The rash typically starts behind the ears (neck area), spreads to the face, then down the chest and abdomen, and finally across the body. When the fever decreases, the rash often peaks, leaving a characteristic “tiger stripe” pigmentation.

Mumps is an acute viral infection, which can occur year-round but peaks during the autumn and winter months. Transmission is high among unvaccinated children.

• Incubation period: 12-16 days on average.
• Symptoms: Vary by individual, with some showing no symptoms. Typical symptoms include fever, body aches, muscle pain, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and swelling of the salivary glands around the cheeks, neck, or jaw on one or both sides.

Rubella, also called German measles, is a viral infectious disease that can spread widely. Its symptoms may be confused with other conditions and typically include:

• Fever: Mild fever around 38°C, accompanied by headache, fatigue, sore throat, and runny nose for 1-4 days, usually subsiding after the rash appears.
• Lymph node swelling: Painful swelling of nodes around the back of the head, neck, and groin, which can persist for several days after the rash fades.
• Rash: Rash initially appears on the head and face, then spreads to the body, without the orderly spread seen in measles. It is usually pink or slightly red, round or oval, 1-2 mm in size, itchy, and lasts about three days before disappearing, leaving slight pigmentation.
• Other symptoms can include joint pain and conjunctivitis.

Without prompt medical guidance from experienced physicians, the early, often non-specific symptoms can be missed, leading to severe complications such as:

• Measles: Common complications include middle ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis, diarrhea, corneal ulceration or scarring affecting vision, laryngitis, and severe malnutrition.
• Mumps: Complications may include orchitis or epididymitis (which can lead to infertility in males), ovarian inflammation in females, and more severe issues such as pancreatitis, central nervous system damage, pulmonary infarction, myocarditis, bronchitis, and miscarriage or congenital abnormalities in pregnant women.
• Rubella: While generally mild and non-life-threatening for children and adults, rubella can lead to complications such as thrombocytopenia, neurologic issues, and kidney bleeding. For pregnant women, rubella can cause serious complications affecting the baby’s ears, eyes, nervous system, and long bones.

Proactive Vaccination is the best way to protect health. U.S.-based studies show regular immunization programs significantly reduce measles, mumps, and rubella cases.

Why Vaccinate?

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent these diseases. Studies show:

• Measles vaccines are over 95% effective.
• Mumps vaccines are over 85% effective after two doses.
• Rubella vaccines are about 90% effective after one dose.

The MMR vaccination schedule includes three doses:

• Dose 1: At 9 months’ old
• Dose 2: Between 15–18 months’ old
• Dose 3: 3–5 years after the second dose

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