Third MMR Vaccination Approved … For Some

With the U.S. facing a growing number of mumps cases, an expert panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that people who are at-risk during measles outbreaks, should receive a third vaccine dose.

This is important because during 2017, an increased number of mumps cases have been reported.

As of early October, 2017, 47 states and the District of Columbia have reported 4,667 mumps infections to CDC. 

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) unanimously voted on October 25, 2017, to approve a third dose of mumps-containing vaccine as a tool for outbreak control.

The ACIP is recommending people who have had two doses of mumps vaccine, but who are identified by public health officials as being at-risk in a mumps outbreak, should receive a third dose.

These ACIP officials acknowledge there is limited scientific evidence regarding the protection from a third dose.

Data presented at this ACIP meeting showed no serious adverse effects and relatively mild reactions to a third shot.

If the CDC follows Wednesday’s ACIP vote, it will recommend giving a third dose of MMR to the affected groups in outbreaks.

It’s long been known by the ACIP that the mumps vaccine is less effective than those that protect against measles and rubella.

Various studies have shown two doses of mumps vaccine is thought to protect about 88 percent of people vaccinated.

Between 2 and 5 percent of people do not develop mumps immunity after the first dose of vaccine. This occurs for a variety of reasons.

An increasing number of outbreaks in recent years prompted the CDC to debate whether a third dose of the vaccine should be recommended.

From 2000 through 2012 an average of 1,135 mumps cases (range:229 to 6,584) were reported annually in the United States. Large outbreaks occurred in 2006 (6,584 cases) and in 2009 and 2010 (approximately 3,500 cases).

Between January 2016 and June 2017, there have been 150 mumps outbreaks with 9,200 total infections.

Fifty percent of these mumps cases have been in university settings.

Health officials say a major factor contributing to outbreaks is a crowded environment. College campuses, where large numbers of students circulate in classes, in dormitories and on sports teams, are primed for spreading the virus.

For instance, Syracuse University Health Services has offered students a third MMR dose during its ongoing mumps outbreak. As of October 24, 2017, there have been 27 confirmed and 55 probable cases of mumps on the Syracuse campus.

All of the mumps cases have occurred among students previously vaccinated against the disease.

Additionally during September 2017, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study based on data from a 2015-2016 mumps outbreak at the University of Iowa.

Of 20,496 Iowa university students who were enrolled during the 2015–2016 academic year, mumps was diagnosed in 259 students.

The researchers found that the longer it had been since a person received a second dose of MMR vaccine, the more likely it was that he or she would contract the mumps.

The mumps virus spreads in saliva; so activities like kissing, sharing drinks and sharing cigarettes fuel its spread. Mumps outbreaks have been common on university campuses.

Mumps is best known for the puffy cheeks and swollen jaw that it causes. This is a result of swollen salivary glands. Symptoms typically appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection, according to the CDC.

Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks.

It can also cause a painful condition known as orchitis in males who contract the virus after puberty.

In the USA, Merck is the manufacturer of two mumps vaccinations. MMR and ProQuad both contain the protection for mumps, as well as protection for measles and rubella.

The ProQuad vaccine is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella in children 12 months through 12 years of age.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector vaccine prices for general information.

Most pharmacies offer the MMR vaccine, and vaccine discounts can be found at this webpage.