Vaccine court
The VICP covers all vaccines listed on the Vaccine Injury Table maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; in 2007 the list included vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), polio, hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), "Haemophilus influenzae" type b, rotavirus, and pneumonia. From 1988 until 8 January 2008, 5,263 claims relating to autism, and 2,865 non-autism claims, were made to the VICP. 925 of these claims, one autism-related (see previous rulings), were compensated, with 1,158 non-autism and 350 autism claims dismissed; awards (including attorney's fees) totaled $847 million. The VICP also applies to claims for injuries suffered before 1988; there were 4,264 of these claims of which 1,189 were compensated with awards totaling $903 million.
MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is a vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). The first dose is generally given to children around 9 to 15 months of age, with a second dose at 15 months to 6 years of age, with at least 4 weeks between the doses. After two doses 97% of people are protected against measles, 88% against mumps, and at least 97% against rubella. The vaccine is also recommended in those who do not have evidence of immunity, those with well controlled HIV/AIDS, and within 72 hours of exposure to measles among those who are incompletely immunized. It is given by injection.
The MMR vaccine is widely used around the world; with over 500 million doses having been given in over 100 countries as of 2001. Measles resulted in 2.6 million deaths per year before immunization became common. This has decreased to 122,000 deaths per year as of 2012, mostly in low income countries. Through vaccination, as of 2018, rates of measles in North and South America are very low. Rates of disease have been seen to increase in populations who go unvaccinated. Between 2000 and 2016, vaccination decreased measles deaths by a further 84%.
Side effects of immunization are generally mild and go away without any specific treatment. These may include fever, and pain or redness at the injection site. Severe allergic reactions occur in about one in a million people. The MMR vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, however, may be given while breastfeeding. The vaccine is safe to give at the same time as other vaccines. Being recently immunized does not increase the risk of passing measles, mumps, or rubella on to others. Vaccination does not increase the risk of autism. The MMR vaccine is a mixture of live weakened viruses of the three diseases.
The MMR vaccine was developed by Maurice Hilleman. It was licensed for use by Merck in 1971. Stand alone measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines had been previously licensed in 1963, 1967, and 1969 respectively. Recommendations for a second dose were introduced in 1989. The MMRV vaccine which also covers chickenpox may be used instead. An MR vaccine, without coverage for mumps, is also occasionally used.