Infectious disease

Measles, mumps, rubella-meningoencephalitis (MMR)

Active surveillance of mumps vaccine-associated meningoencephalitis was initiated in 1990 through the BPSU. BPSU reporters in the British Isles were asked to report cases of meningoencephalitis in children under 16 years of age occurring within six weeks of receiving the MMR vaccine.

By bpsu · January 1, 1990

Lead investigator

Dr N Begg

About the study

Active surveillance of mumps vaccine-associated meningoencephalitis was initiated in 1990 through the BPSU. BPSU reporters in the British Isles were asked to report cases of meningoencephalitis in children under 16 years of age occurring within six weeks of receiving the MMR vaccine.

Twelve months after an initial case report, a follow-up examination was conducted in the patient’s home. This included a developmental assessment, hearing test and general neurological examination.

The BPSU surveillance indicated that vaccine-associated mumps meningitis was a rare and usually mild complication of the MMR vaccine. The team concluded that the benefits of the MMR vaccine greatly outweigh the risks.

Duration

January 1990 – December 1991

Published papers

Maguire, H. C., Begg, N. T., & Handford, S. G. (1991). Meningoencephalitis associated with MMR vaccineCDR (London, England : Review)1(6), R60-61.

BPSU Sixth Annual Report 1991

Support group

Meningitis Now
Web: https://www.meningitisnow.org Email: info@meningitisnow.org