MMR Vaccine Injuries and Adverse Reactions

What You Need to Know About MMR Vaccination Side Effects

Child receiving MMR vaccine

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Every year, millions of people are vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. The MMR vaccine protects against these three highly contagious and deadly diseases. 

Most people who are vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella will be protected for life. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), children need two doses of the MMR vaccine. They receive the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age. The second dose is administered between ages 4 and 6. 

While the MMR vaccine offers immunity to many, it is known to cause adverse reactions and serious injuries in some. These side effects range from skin rashes to brain inflammation. 

If you or someone you love has been injured by an MMR vaccine, you may be entitled to compensation from a federal fund known as the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 

To schedule a free consultation, please fill out the form below to get started. You can also call us any time at (312) 578-9501

Keep reading to learn more about the MMR vaccine and injuries linked to it. 

Injuries and Side Effects Linked to the MMR Vaccine: What You Need to Know 

After getting the MMR vaccine, you may experience the following mild to moderate symptoms. These side effects typically go away within a week after getting an MMR vaccination: 

  • Sore arm from the vaccination 
  • Fever 
  • Mild rash 
  • Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, specifically in teenagers and adults.

On the other hand, some adverse reactions from the MMR vaccine are long-lasting (and sometimes permanent). As such, the Mumps, Measles, and Rubella vaccines have been known to trigger these serious vaccine injuries:

Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) 

SIRVA injuries happen when the MMR vaccine is injected into the shoulder joint, instead of the deltoid muscle. This improperly placed injection caused the shoulder joint, tendons, and ligaments to become inflamed. 

People who experience SIRVA from an MMR vaccination will suffer from severe shoulder pain within 48 hours from the vaccine. As the days and weeks pass, they’ll lose range of motion in the affected shoulder. 

Patients with shoulder injuries from MMR vaccines may be diagnosed with the following conditions: 

  • Bursitis
  • Tendonitis 
  • Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder Syndrome)
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries

Learn more about SIRVA in this article. 

Chronic Arthritis

The MMR vaccine has also been known to trigger chronic arthritis in some. It has not been linked to rheumatoid arthritis, however. 

In order to be eligible for compensation from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, the patient must experience symptoms of chronic arthritis (e.g., the onset of joint pain and inflammation, etc.) between seven and forty-two (42) days following the vaccination. 

Learn more about chronic arthritis following an MMR vaccination here. 

Vasovagal Syncope (Sudden Fainting) 

Vasovagal syncope happens when there is a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure. It’s not very dangerous on its own, but it can put the patient at risk of hurting themselves during a fall. 

In order to be eligible for compensation in the VICP, vasovagal syncope from the MMR vaccine must occur within one hour of the vaccination. 

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

ITP is a disorder that causes excessive bleeding and bruising. This condition is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table as a known injury caused by the MMR vaccine. 

People with ITP may experience a range of symptoms and serious complications. 

If you got the MMR vaccine and were diagnosed with ITP between seven and thirty (30) days, you may be eligible to file for compensation in the VICP if your symptoms last more than six (6) months. 

Learn more about ITP from the MMR vaccine here.  

Anaphylaxis (Allergic Reactions) 

Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, and it should be addressed immediately. Someone experiencing anaphylaxis after getting an MMR vaccine needs to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible. 

Some ingredients in the MMR vaccine may trigger an allergic reaction in rare cases. To meet the requirements for compensation, people must experience anaphylaxis within 4 hours after getting the vaccine. 

Click here to read more about this adverse reaction. 

Vaccine-strain measles viral disease in an immune-deficient person. 

Yes, you heard that right: You can get measles from the MMR vaccine if you’re immunocompromised. It is very rare, though. 

If you suffer long-lasting complications from getting measles, you may be eligible for compensation from the VICP. 

Encephalitis or Encephalopathy 

These brain diseases have been linked to the MMR vaccine, as well as other vaccinations. After immunization, the patient may experience drowsiness, confusion, headaches, vomiting, fever, and seizures. 

Most people with encephalitis or encephalopathy make a full recovery after treatment with hospitalization and outpatient care, including physical therapy. However, some patients will never go back to their normal lives. 

Learn more about encephalitis and encephalopathy here. 

I was diagnosed with an MMR vaccine injury. What should I do next? 

Serious injuries from MMR vaccines are rare, but they do happen. When you’re injured, it can be confusing to figure out what to do next. 

First, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Your health is important, above all else. Some MMR vaccine reactions are life-threatening, and they will need medical treatment in order to heal properly. 

Next, you should contact a vaccine injury law firm like Shannon Law Group, P.C. Why? 

Attorneys who practice vaccine injury law can help you pursue compensation for some of your damages in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).  Together, you and your attorney will draft a petition for compensation and submit it with supporting documents to the U.S. Federal Court of Claims. 

The court will then determine whether the MMR vaccine did, in fact, cause your injury. If the injury is conceded, they will then negioate a settlement with you and your attorney. 

How much time do I have to file a vaccine injury claim after a serious adverse reaction to the MMR vaccine? 

As you may have guessed, there are strict time limitations for filing a claim in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). 

You have three (3) years from the initial onset of your symptoms to file a vaccine injury claim with the VICP. This statute applies even if you didn’t know that the vaccine initially caused your symptoms. 

How to Report an MMR Vaccine Side Effect

After experiencing an MMR vaccine injury, you should immediately notify your doctor. Provide the date of vaccination, where you got the vaccine initially, and which arm you received it in (right or left). 

You can also ask your doctor to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (“VAERS”) form. The VAERS program is managed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

It collects submitted reports of vaccine injuries and adverse reactions from vaccine-injured people and their doctors. Anyone can submit a report. 

VAERS does not offer compensation for those with vaccine injuries, nor does it diagnose vaccine reactions. Rather, it collects and compiles data about reported side effects for the CDC. 

It’s important to report your MMR vaccine injury to VAERS if your doctor does not. These reports are often used as supplemental evidence in vaccine injury claims. 

Compensation Available for MMR Vaccine Injuries

If you or a loved one has suffered from a reaction or injury after receiving an MMR vaccine, you may be eligible for compensation from a federal government fund called the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). 

Our vaccine injury attorneys have helped people who have suffered serious adverse reactions to the MMR vaccine in the past, and they’re ready to help you now. 

To schedule your free consultation to learn more, please call us at 312-578-9501. You can also describe your situation to us in the contact form below. Our consultations are always free, and our representation comes at no cost to our clients when handling MMR vaccine injury cases. We can represent anyone from all 50 states as well. 

Vaccine Injuries Book

Download your free copy of Vaccine Injuries: Understanding the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program by attorney Jonathan Svitak.

In this publication, Jonathan explains the history of this unique federal program and answers some of your most frequently asked questions about vaccine injury cases.