The MMR vaccine is targeted at three childhood diseases: Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
The two MMR vaccines available are both produced by Merck: M-M-R II, and ProQuad (MMRV) which includes the varicella virus for chicken pox as well. MMR is a live virus vaccine.
M-M-R II – Merck – Product Insert
http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/m/mmr_ii/mmr_ii_pi.pdf
M-M-R II is a live virus vaccine using ATTENUVAX (live measles virus vaccine), MUMPSVAX (live mumps virus vaccine) and MERUVAX II (live rubella virus vaccine). The rubella portion of the vaccine is propagated in WI-38 human diploid lung fibroblasts (from aborted fetal tissue).
Pregnancy should be avoided within 3 months of vaccination. (See page 6)
Adverse Reactions: Panniculitis, atypical measles, fever, syncope, headache, dizziness, malaise, irritability, vasculitis, pancreatitis, diarrhea, vomiting parotitis, nauseas, diabetes mellitus, thrombocytopenia, purpura, regional lymphadenopathy, leukocytosis, anaphylactic reactions, chronic arthritis, encephalitis, encephalitis, encephalopathy, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), febrile convulsions or seizures, ataxia, polyneuritis, Polyneuropathy, ocular palsies, paresthesia, pneumonia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, urticaria, rash, measles-like rash, pruritus, local reactions at injection site, nerve deafness, otitis media, retinitis, optic neuritis, papillitis, retrobulbar neuritis, conjunctivitis, epididymitis, orchitis. (See pages 6-8 for details)
“In women, incidence rates for arthritis and anthralgia are generally higher than those seen in children (children: 0-3%; women: 12-26%) and the reactions tend to be more marked and of longer duration.” (See page 7)
M-M-R II Ingredients: chick embryo cell culture, WI-38 human diploid lung fibroblasts, vitamins, amino acids, fetal bovine serum, sucrose, glutamate, recombinant human albumin, neomycin, sorbitol, hydrolyzed gelatin, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf
ProQuad (MMRV) – Merck – Product Insert
http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/p/proquad/proquad_pi.pdf
ProQuad is a live virus vaccine composed of the MMR II vaccine (live measles, mumps, and rubella virus) along with a live varicella virus vaccine (for chicken pox).
The rubella portion of the vaccine is propagated in WI-38 human diploid lung fibroblasts (from aborted fetal tissue). The varicella virus is propagated in MRC-5 cells (from aborted fetal tissue).
“The duration of protection from measles, mumps, rubella and varicella after vaccination with ProQuad is unknown.” (Page 16)
“Formal studies to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ProQuad have not been performed.” (Page 16 under Clinical Studies)
Fever and measles like rashes were the only adverse experiences that occurred more frequently in recipients of a single dose of ProQuad compared with recipients of single doses of MMR II and VARIVAX. (Pages 1 & 5)
Adverse Reactions: See pages 5-13. The safety of ProQuad was compared to the safety of MMR II and VARIVAX given concomitantly at separate injection sites.
ProQuad Ingredients: sucrose, hydrolyzed gelatin, sorbitol, monosodium L-glutamate, sodium phosphate dibasic, human albumin, sodium bicarbonate, potassium phosphate monobasic, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate dibasic, neomycin, bovine calf serum, chick embryo cell culture, WI-38 human diploid lung fibroblasts, MRC-5 cells
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf
A six minute presentation on the MMR Vaccine can be found at:
http://thinktwice.com/mmr_show.htm
More information on MMR can be found at:
http://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/Measles.aspx