What are the contraindications for the MMR vaccine?

What are the contraindications for the MMR vaccine?

• A. Allergy to MMR or neomycin; pregnancy; cancer or HIV; steroid therapy; low platelets; recent blood products or recent live vaccine
• B. Allergy to eggs
• C. Age under 12 months
• D. History of varicella

Answer: (A)

MMR is a live attenuated vaccine, so contraindications are conditions that could make giving it unsafe or reduce the chance of a safe, effective response. The strongest reasons not to vaccinate include a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine itself or to a component such as neomycin or gelatin; pregnancy, because live vaccines can affect the fetus; significant immune suppression from conditions like cancer or HIV, or from ongoing high-dose steroid therapy; and hematologic or immune issues like severe thrombocytopenia. Also, receiving blood products or another live vaccine soon before or after MMR can interfere with safety or the immune response, so those are considered contraindications or precautions. Egg allergy is not a contraindication for MMR, since the vaccine does not contain egg protein. Deferring MMR in children younger than 12 months is standard, and a history of varicella does not preclude MMR. The listed set of contraindications in the option captures the major, absolute reasons to avoid MMR, which is why it is the best choice.

MMR is a live attenuated vaccine, so contraindications are conditions that could make giving it unsafe or reduce the chance of a safe, effective response. The strongest reasons not to vaccinate include a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine itself or to a component such as neomycin or gelatin; pregnancy, because live vaccines can affect the fetus; significant immune suppression from conditions like cancer or HIV, or from ongoing high-dose steroid therapy; and hematologic or immune issues like severe thrombocytopenia. Also, receiving blood products or another live vaccine soon before or after MMR can interfere with safety or the immune response, so those are considered contraindications or precautions. Egg allergy is not a contraindication for MMR, since the vaccine does not contain egg protein. Deferring MMR in children younger than 12 months is standard, and a history of varicella does not preclude MMR. The listed set of contraindications in the option captures the major, absolute reasons to avoid MMR, which is why it is the best choice.