All About Mumps Vaccination Schedule in India

Mumps is often confused with tonsilitis because, in both cases, the outer region of the neck or throat swells up. However, in mumps, a parotid salivary gland becomes infected and causes the swelling. It starts paining after a couple of days, often leading to difficulty swallowing and speaking. Since mumps is contagious and can easily spread from one infected person to the other, it is crucial to get the mumps vaccine right on time. 

Why should you take the mumps vaccine?

Many believe mumps can be treated with medicines, antibiotics, and warm compression. But that is not the truth because it is a viral infection, and immunization is the only way to prevent this disease. Although the MMR vaccines don’t reduce the chances of getting infected to 0%, they certainly reduce the severity. For example, the parotid gland won’t swell up and block the esophagus. 

If you are still apprehensive about taking the vaccine, the below-mentioned points will help you with the clarification. 

• Mumps vaccine reduces the severe symptoms 

One of the main benefits of the MMR vaccine is that you won’t have to face the severity of this disease. The two major concerns are viral meningitis and swelling in the testes and ovaries. These inverse effects are hard to treat, so you should get the vaccine right on the spot without much thought. 

• It keeps children safe 

Mumps usually occurs more in children because their immune system fails to fight against the virus. This is why you should get your little ones vaccinated. That way, they won’t get infected and suffer from the pain and other symptoms.

• The chances of spread also get reduced. 

As mumps is contagious, you need to take proper measurements to ensure the virus doesn’t get transmitted from you to someone else. In earlier days, mumps used to cause epidemics. So, it would help if you got vaccinated on time so that others around you can feel safe.

• You won’t fall sick too often

It is quite expected that the mumps virus enters your body quite often. But you don’t fall sick every time because your immune system fights off the antigens and keeps you safe. But this is just a hit-and-trial method because if your immunity is weak, there is no way through which you can prevent the disease without getting the vaccination shots.

What is the mumps vaccine schedule?

The first mumps vaccination dosage in children is done between 12 months to 10 years of age. The second dose is administered between 4 years to 6 years of age. However, if someone receives the first dose after 6 years, the second dose will be given as measles and rubella vaccine. It should be administered before 12 years of age. 

If you are unclear about the doses, do contact your doctor to get more clarification. You shouldn’t decide the vaccine time or dose by yourself. 

Conclusion 

Vaccination for mumps is common at an early age. So, ensure to vaccinate the little one for a safer, stress-free life. Even if they get infected, the severity of the disease won’t be high.