Mumps

About the vaccine

Evidence showing MMR does not cause austism

25 studies refute a connection between MMR vaccine and the development of autism (Immunization Action Coalition)

The mumps vaccine is combined with the measles and rubella vaccine (MMR vaccine), so a person can receive protection from several diseases with one shot.

The vaccine is free and recommended for children as part of their childhood immunizations, and routinely given at 12 and 18 months.

The MMR vaccine is also free and recommended for adults who have never had measles, mumps or rubella (german measles) disease or have not received two doses of the vaccine if born after 1956. If you haven't had the MMR vaccine, book an appointment with your doctor or local health provider.

The MMR vaccine is effective in preventing disease caused by these viruses in up to 95 percent of recipients after one dose. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get measles, mumps or rubella. For more information about the vaccine, who should get it, the benefits and possible reactions, read our BC HealthFile: Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine (14a)

About the disease

Mumps is an acute viral illness caused by the mumps virus and is most often a childhood disease but you can also catch it as an adult

  • Mumps usually causes fever, aches and pains, headaches, and swelling of the salivary glands and cheeks
  • Mumps is spread by coughing, sneezing, kissing, or getting an infected person's saliva into your mouth
  • Complications are rare but can include inflamation of the brain (encephalitis), testicles or ovaries and deafness
  • Death related to mumps infection happens in about 1 out of every 10,000 cases
  • There is less mumps disease in BC because of routine childhood vaccination programs
  • For more information on this disease, see the mumps (14c) HealthLink BC File.

Photo courtesy of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. More vaccine preventable disease images