Immunizations - Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chickenpox)

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Interaction with Tuberculosis Test. The live-measles vaccine may interfere with a tuberculosis test, so the two should be administered at least 4 - 6 weeks apart. No evidence exists that the vaccine has an adverse effect on tuberculosis itself.

Mild Infection. A mild form of measles that has no symptoms may develop in previously immunized people who are exposed to the virus, although this mild infection may not be significant.

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). In about 1 in 22,300 doses, MMR can cause a rare bleeding disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This can cause a purple, bruise-like discoloration that can spread across the body, nose bleeds, or tiny red spots. It is nearly always mild and temporary. (Of note, the risk for ITP is much higher with the actual infections, particularly rubella.)

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Note: Much controversy has arisen over unsubstantiated reports of neurologic side effects attributable to MMR. This is of great concern since such reports have resulted in a decline in immunizations in certain areas, notably affluent areas in England where the vaccination rate has dropped from 92% in 1996 to 84% currently. Here, measles outbreaks are now climbing, and doctors fear that unless immunization rates increase rapidly, case numbers will significantly increase. In these and other regions, some parents mistakenly believe that the dangers of immunization outweigh a dangerous childhood illness that only older people remember. It should be strongly noted that measles still cause about 745,000 deaths in unvaccinated children who live in underdeveloped countries, primarily in Africa.

Most publicity has centered on a possible link between the MMR vaccine, which was introduced in 1988, and a variant of autism that includes inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and impaired behavioral development. Such findings have been rigorously reviewed and refuted in a number of well-conducted studies.

Despite considerable publicity, there is no evidence linking MMR vaccination with the development of autism. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's web site provides extensive information on this matter. The popular media has incorrectly reported the possible link between autism and MMR as causing a split in the scientific community, but virtually all experts refute any association between the two. In fact, reports of symptoms related to autism increased only after widespread publicity of this supposed side effect.

The potential benefits from receiving the MMR vaccine far outweigh the potential adverse effects. Measles, mumps, and rubella are all very serious illnesses and each may have complications resulting in lifetime disabilities or even death. The incidence of such complications, related to having the actual diseases, is far greater than the potential of developing serious, or even moderate, adverse effects due to the MMR vaccine.

Click the icon to see an image of inflammatory bowel disease.

Review Date: 10/12/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).