MR vaccine and MMR vaccine, this is the difference

MR vaccine is a combination of measles or Measles (M) and Rubella (R) vaccines. The MMR vaccine is a vaccine that consists of 3 vaccine components namely Mumps (mumps), Measles (measles), and Rubella. So what's the comparison and why is the government now prioritizing the MR vaccine immunization program? Check out the following review! MR vaccine (measles and rubella vaccine) is given to prevent the occurrence of diseases caused by the measles virus and rubella (German measles). As is known, measles and rubella are infectious diseases caused by viruses. Transmission of these two diseases is usually through the airways, mainly from direct contact with infected patients through coughing or sneezing.

Differences in MR and MMR Vaccines

Measles can weaken the immune system and cause fever, rashes, coughs, colds, and red and watery eyes. Measles also often causes serious complications such as ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain damage, and death. While rubella or German measles is a viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, rash, headache, red eyes and itchy eyes. Rubella often occurs in children and adolescents. Although mild, this virus can have a devastating effect on infected pregnant women, which causes miscarriages, babies born dead, or even serious birth defects in babies such as blindness and deafness. Well, the MR vaccine immunization program aims to prevent rubella infection during pregnancy which can cause babies born with congenital abnormalities. MR vaccine is a substitute for MMR vaccine which is now no longer available in health care facilities in Indonesia. MMR vaccine is a vaccine to prevent measles, rubella and mumps. The difference between MR and MMR vaccines is the content of mumps to fight mumps that are not included in the MR vaccine. Mumps is a disease caused by a virus that can cause fever, joint pain, headaches, swelling of the glands located under the ear, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Mumps can also cause complications that include swelling of the testicles or ovaries that cause infertility, deafness, meningitis, and in rare cases can end in death. However, mumps disease cases are rarely found in Indonesia.

Indonesian Government Vaccination Program

The MR vaccine program is a priority of the Government of Indonesia as a form of efforts to control measles and rubella, due to the dangers of severe and deadly complications. Therefore, children who have been immunized with the MMR vaccine still need to get the MR vaccine to ensure full immunity. MR vaccine immunization is given to all children aged 9 months to less than 15 years during the MR immunization campaign. Furthermore, MR immunization is included in the routine immunization schedule and is given to children aged 9 months, 18 months, and grade 1 elementary school / equivalent. Effective and safe MR vaccine is given to children even to children who have received the MMR vaccine. The vaccine used has received a recommendation from WHO (World Health Organization) and distribution permit from the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency, and this vaccine has been used in more than 141 countries in the world. The Indonesian Ministry of Health also stressed that the MR vaccine does not cause autism or paralysis as is the issue circulating in the community. As with other injectable vaccines, mild fever, red rashes, mild swelling and pain at the injection site after immunization are normal reactions that will disappear within 2-3 days. Serious post-immunization events are very rare. What needs to be understood is, measles is a killer disease of children, and rubella can cause lifelong birth defects. There is no specific treatment for measles and rubella, but both can be prevented by MR vaccine. Therefore, it is important for your child to get the MR vaccine in a government campaign program and routine immunizations to increase your child's immunity from this disease. Not only children and adolescents, adults can also be given this vaccine, especially before becoming pregnant. For more information, consult with doctors at the nearest hospital, health center, or health center.