Mumps

Key Information

• Outbreaks: Mumps outbreaks continue in Canada, mostly in young adults aged 15-39 years.
• Complications: Common complications include orchitis and oophoritis; permanent sequelae like deafness are rare.
• Vaccine Availability: Available as MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) or MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella) vaccine.
• Effectiveness: 62-91% effective for 1 dose; 76-95% effective for 2 doses. Two doses are recommended for better protection.

Recommendations for Use

• Children: Routine immunization with 2 doses of MMR or MMRV vaccine (12-15 months and 18 months of age or later).
• Unimmunized Children and Adolescents: 2 doses of mumps-containing vaccine.
• Adults Born in or After 1970: 1 dose of MMR vaccine; 2 doses for those at higher risk.
• High-Risk Adults Born Before 1970: Health care workers, travelers, and military personnel should receive MMR vaccine regardless of birth year.

Preparations Authorized for Use in Canada

• MMR Vaccines:
  • M-M-R®II (Merck Canada Inc.)
  • PRIORIX® (GlaxoSmithKline Inc.)
• MMRV Vaccines:
  • PRIORIX-TETRA® (GlaxoSmithKline Inc.)
  • ProQuad™ (Merck Canada Inc.)

Safety and Adverse Events

• Common Reactions: Mild, including pain and redness at the injection site, fever <39°C, rash.
• MMRV Reactions: Higher risk of fever and febrile seizures when given to children 12-23 months compared to separate MMR and varicella vaccines.