Why do some parents think that the MMR vaccine causes more seizures than measles?
Because that’s the latest propaganda that they are seeing in anti-vaccine groups on Facebook…
Does the MMR Vaccine Cause More Seizures Than Measles?
The MMR vaccine doesn’t cause seizures in 1 in 640 children…
The MMR vaccine doesn’t even cause seizures!
“The MMR vaccine has been associated with a very small risk of febrile seizure as a side effect. Two recent studies indicate that for every 10,000 children who get the MMR and varicella vaccines for their first vaccinations when they are 12–23 months old, about 4 will have a febrile seizure during the 5–12 days following vaccination.”
Understanding the Risk of Febrile Seizures After the First Vaccination at Ages 12–47 Months
It can cause febrile seizures, but even then, it is only at about a rate of 1 in 2500 children after the first dose (0.04%).
Is that “five times the rate from the actual measles infection?”
As I’m sure you are guessing, the answer is obviously no.
Overall, seizures occur in about 0.6% to 0.7% of measles cases!
In addition, actual measles infections can cause non-febrile seizures, which are much more serious than febrile seizures.
Also, measles can cause encephalitis, a life-threatening complication that is often accompanied by seizures.
This is in contrast to simple febrile seizures, which again, are typically considered to be harmless.
More On Seizures from MMR Vs Measles
- Myths About Warnings and Adverse Reactions in the MMR Package Inserts
- Are the Risks Greater Than the Benefits for Any Vaccines?
- Why Are You Still Worried About the MMR Vaccine?
- Fact Checking an Anti-Vaccine Measles Outbreak Quiz
- Who Dies with Measles?
- Ask 8 Questions Before You Skip a Vaccine
- Why Do We Only Fear Vaccine Preventable Diseases?
- Should Parents Be Concerned About Combination Vaccines and Febrile Seizures?
- CDC – Understanding the Risk of Febrile Seizures After the First Vaccination at Ages 12–47 Months
- CDC – Complications of Measles
- CDC – Febrile Seizures Following Childhood Vaccinations, Including Influenza Vaccination
- Study – Vaccines and Febrile Seizures: Quantifying the Risk
- Do Vaccines Cause Seizures?