1. Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella -- 2. MMRV vaccine -- 3. Some children should not get MMRV vaccine or should wait -- 4. What are the risks from MMRV vaccine? -- 5. What if there is a serious reaction? -- 6. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program -- 7. How can I learn more?

Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (chickenpox) can be serious diseases:

Measles

• Causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, fever.

• Can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.

Mumps

• Causes fever, headache, swollen glands.

• Can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), infection of the pancreas, painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and, rarely, death.

Rubella (German Measles)

• Causes rash and mild fever; and can cause arthritis, (mostly in women).

• If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.

Varicella (Chickenpox)

• Causes rash, itching, fever, tiredness.

• Can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia,

These diseases can spread from person to person through the air. Varicella can also be spread through contact with fluid from chickenpox blisters.

Before vaccines, these diseases were very common in the United States.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection