What kind of vaccine is given to prevent measles?
The MMR vaccine prevents measles and two other viral diseases mumps and rubella. These three vaccines are safe given together. MMR is a attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine. This means that after injection, the viruses grows, and causes a harmless infection in the vaccinated person with very few, if any symptoms. The person’s immune system fights the infection caused by these weakened viruses and immunity develops which lasts throughout that persons life.
