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MMR Vaccine

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The MMR vaccine protects against three dangerous childhood diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. However, in rare cases, the vaccine may cause serious injuries, including seizures, brain damage, blood disorders, and life-threatening allergic reactions.

Contact a Vaccine Injury Lawyer Today

The nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP is investigating potential legal claIms on behalf of patients who suffered serious side effects and complications following administration of the MMR vaccine. To learn more about filing an MMR vaccine lawsuit, please contact our office at (888) 994-5118.

What is the MMR Vaccine?

The MMR vaccine inoculates against three diseases:

• Measles: Measles is a highly-contagious, childhood disease that is caused by a virus. The death rate from measles has dropped worldwide due to the availability of the vaccine. However, the disease still kills more than 100,000 people a year. Most measles-related deaths occur in children under the age of 5.
• Mumps: Mumps is also caused by a contagious virus that was common among children in the United States until vaccination became routine. Mumps can cause hearing loss and other serious complications.
• Rubella: Also known as German measles, rubella is a childhood disease caused by a contagious virus. Rubella is usually milder than measles. However, rubella can cause death or serious birth defects in a developing fetus if a pregnant woman contracts the disease during her first trimester. Exposure to rubella later in pregnancy can also be dangerous.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine:

• First dose at 12 to 15 months of age
• Second dose at 4 through 6 years of age

The CDC also recommends MMR vaccines for:

• Students at post-high school educational institutions who do not have evidence of immunity. These individuals should receive two doses of MMR vaccine, at least 28 days apart.
• Adults who do not have evidence of immunity. They should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.
• People 6 months of age and older who will be traveling internationally.

MMR Vaccine Side Effects

The risk of complications from the MMR vaccine is far lower than the risk of getting measles, mumps, or rubella. However, in rare cases, injuries do occur.

The most serious MMR vaccine side effects include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Swelling of the glands in the cheek or neck
• Febrile seizure (caused by fever)
• Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints
• Low blood platelet count
• Anaphylaxis (severe, life-threatening allergic reaction)
• Deafness
• Long-term seizure disorders
• Coma
• Lowered consciousness
• Permanent brain damage
• Encephalopathy or encephalitis
• Chronic arthritis
• Transverse Myelitis
• Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (blood disorder)
• Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
• Brachial Neuritis
• Dermatomyositis or JDM
• Vaccine-Strain Measles viral infection
• Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
• Vasovagal syncope (fainting following vaccine administration)

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) provides compensation to those who have been hurt by the MMR vaccine and other covered vaccines. To date, the program has paid more than $3.9 billion to people who have filed petitions for vaccine-related injuries.

Under the NVICP’s guidelines, a vaccine injury is presumed to be covered if:

• The injury meets the definition included in the program’s Vaccine Injury Table.
• The first symptom of the condition occurred within the time period specified by the table.

The table lists the following covered injuries for the MMR vaccine:

• Anaphylaxis
• Encephalopathy or encephalitis
• SIRVA
• Vasovagal syncope
• Chronic arthritis
• Thrombocytopenic purpura
• Vaccine-Strain Measles viral infection

If an injury does not appear in the Vaccine Injury Table or does not meet the Table requirements, claimants must present expert witness testimony, medical records, medical opinions, or other evidence proving that the vaccine caused the injury and/or condition.

Free MMR Vaccine Lawsuit Reviews

Families of children who suffered MMR vaccine injuries may be entitled to compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages (related to the care of your child)
• Loss of earning capacity
• Past and future medical bills

For a free, no-obligation evaluation of your potential MMR vaccine lawsuit, please call our office today at (888) 994-5118.