What Is the Right Time to Have the Mumps Vaccine?

The mumps vaccine is usually administered as part of a suite of inoculations given to children following the current NHS protocol. The mumps vaccine is given as part of the triple jab or MMR which stands for Measles, Mumps and Rubella. However, not all children are given the MMR vaccine or may have only had one dose rather than the recommended two. To find out if your child needs the mumps vaccination and when they should have it, contact Miles Pharmacy’s travel vaccination clinic in Epsom.

Understanding Mumps

Mumps is one of those childhood illnesses that has been largely eradicated due to the successful inoculation programmes that first came into being in the UK during the 1970s.

The mumps vaccine forms part of the triple jab or MMR which is a two-dose vaccine given to babies and then repeated just before the child goes to school. In the early 2000s, the vaccine was discredited for a period of time when there were allegations that it was linked to autism. These connections were subsequently found to be spurious but many adults now in their early twenties, did not receive the vaccine at all because of this or only had one dose.

When is the right time to have the mumps vaccine?

The mumps vaccination is still given as part of the MMR vaccine with the first dose at 12 or 13 months. The second dose is administered at 4 through 6 years of age.

To be effective, both doses must be given and offer around 88% protection against the disease. It is really important to have both doses.

Treatment for mumps

There is currently no treatment for mumps just the usual age-appropriate anti-inflammatory medication such as Calpol or child Ibuprofen to manage the symptoms which include swellings on the side of the face under the ears, joint pain and a high temperature.

Mumps is very contagious and spreads easily. It is a more serious illness in teenagers and adults like many of the other diseases associated with childhood.

To learn all about the mumps vaccination, contact Miles Pharmacy’s travel vaccination clinic in Epsom, trusted and helpful advice from healthcare professionals.