Single Vaccines

What are they? These are all vaccines that contain the live strains of viruses. For measles (Rouvax) it is the Schwarz strain, for mumps (Mumpsvax) it is the Jeryl Lyn and for rubella (Rudivax) the Wistar RA 27/3M strain. These are identical to those used in the MMR vaccine.

Why are they necessary? To prevent measles, mumps and rubella in children over the age of 12 months.

Contraindications where these product must not be used include:

Allergy to eggs, neomycin, or any one of the constituents of the vaccine.
Allergic reactions following a previous injection of vaccine.
Illness or treatment resulting in immune deficiency.
A temperature, or if unwell.

Possible side effects. Although side effects are rare, they may be induced to a varying degree in some people as for any active product.

Following measles: moderate and transient effects may occur in the first two weeks after vaccination including a high temperature, short term nose and throat symptoms, skin rash and oedema, diarrhoea, vomiting and very rarely thrombopenic purpura.

Following mumps: fever, irritability, diarrhoea, lymphadenopathy, cough, rhinitis, urticaria, localised stinging at injection site, conjunctivitis and very rarely, vasculitis, pancreatitis, parotitis, thrombocytopenia, purpura, anaphylaxis, deafness, otitis media, optic neuritis, orchitis.

Following rubella: swollen neck glands and behind ears from the 5th day, joint pains, rash, inflammation at injection site, moderate fever, rare allergic reactions. Exceptional cases of platelet disorder causing rashes of red spots or purplish-blue marks varying in size have been recorded.