Unexpected Benefits from MMR Vaccine

Infants receiving MMR after three doses of DTaP-IPV-Hib had a significantly lower hospitalization rate for all infectious diseases than those receiving MMR before the third dose.

Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) is a live preparation designed to prevent these specific viral illnesses. Trials conducted in developing countries suggest that receipt of MMR also lowers risk for other infections. Investigators hypothesized that this effect might also be seen in higher-income countries — and that the effect would be greatest in children whose most-recent vaccine was MMR, rather than the inactivated diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae b vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib).

In Denmark, the recommended infant vaccination schedule is three doses of DTaP-IPV-Hib, administered at 3, 5, and 12 months, followed by MMR at 15 months. Some children receive MMR before the third dose of DTaP-IPV-Hib3. With this…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Unexpected Benefits from MMR Vaccine

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Reviewing Author