Mumps

Mumps vaccine is the best way to protect your child against mumps, a contagious disease that can cause serious complications. Talk to your healthcare professional or check your child’s immunization records to ensure mumps vaccine is up to date.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Anyone who has not had mumps or been vaccinated can get the disease. There is no treatment for mumps, and it can cause long-term health problems. Before there was a vaccine, mumps was the leading cause for viral encephalitis (infection of the brain) and sudden deafness in the U.S. You can protect yourself and your family against mumps with vaccination.

Protect Your Child with Mumps Vaccine

Mumps vaccine is the best way to protect your child against mumps. It is usually given as part of a combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Most children don’t have any side effects from the vaccine. The side effects that do occur are usually very mild, such as a fever or rash.

Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine:

• the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and
• the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

Your child’s doctor may also offer the MMRV vaccine, a combination vaccine that protects against four diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). Talk to your child’s healthcare professional for help deciding which vaccine to use.

Mumps outbreaks can still occur in highly vaccinated U.S. communities, particularly in close-contact settings such as schools, colleges, and camps. However, high vaccination coverage helps to limit the size, duration, and spread of mumps outbreaks, making it that much more important to get your child vaccinated on schedule.

Protect Yourself Against Mumps

Anyone born during or after 1957, who has never had mumps or has never been vaccinated, is at risk for mumps. They should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. Two doses are recommended for adults at higher risk, such as students in college, trade school, and training programs; international travelers; and healthcare professionals.

Mumps Can Be Serious

In most children, mumps is pretty mild. But it can cause serious, long-lasting problems including

• encephalitis (swelling of the brain),
• meningitis (swelling of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord),
• loss of hearing (temporary and permanent),
• orchitis (swelling of the testicles) in males who have reached puberty,
• oophoritis (swelling of the ovaries) and/or mastitis (swelling of the breasts) in females who have reached puberty.

In rare cases, mumps is deadly.

Paying for Mumps Vaccine

Most health insurance plans cover the cost of vaccines. However, you may want to check with your insurance provider before going to the doctor. Learn how to pay for vaccines.

If you don’t have health insurance, or if your insurance does not cover vaccines for your child, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program may be able to help. This program helps families of eligible children who might not otherwise have access to vaccines. To find out if your child is eligible, visit the VFC website or ask your child’s doctor. You can also contact your state VFC coordinator.