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Vaccine
Safety >
Issues of Interest > Autism
Measles
Vaccine and
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
FACT
SHEET
Contents
of this page:
What You Should Know
- Measles vaccine is given in combination with
mumps and rubella (German measles) vaccines. Measles, mumps, and rubella
(MMR) vaccine protects children against three diseases with just one shot.
- Scientific studies have found no
relationship between measles vaccine and inflammatory bowel disease.
- The CDC recommends two doses of MMR vaccine
for all children.
Additional
Facts
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, refers
to diseases (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) that inflame
the intestines and cause symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, pain, and weight
loss. The cause(s) of IBD is not known.
- Studies conducted since 1998 by one group of
researchers suggest that MMR vaccine may cause IBD. However, other
scientists have concerns about the way these studies were done. For example,
in one study researchers found parts of measles virus in the intestines of
children with IBD. However, they did not compare the virus found in the
children with the virus used in the MMR vaccine, nor did they provide
information to indicate whether or not the children had ever received the
MMR vaccine or had ever gotten measles disease.
- Other scientists have done studies that
provide strong scientific evidence that there is no association between
measles vaccine and IBD. For instance, the CDC compared the vaccination
histories of patients with IBD to those without IBD. The scientists found
that vaccination with MMR does not increase the likelihood that a person
will develop IBD.
- Measles is a dangerous, even deadly,
disease. One out of 30 children with measles gets pneumonia. For every 1,000
children who get measles, one or two will die from the disease. MMR vaccine
protects children against measles.
- The CDC recommends that children get two
doses of MMR vaccine, the first at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6
years of age. This recommendation is supported by the American Academy of
Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
For more information
For more in-depth information on Measles
Vaccine and IBD, go to http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/concerns/autism/ibd.htm
National Immunization Hotline:
English (800) 232-2522
Spanish (800)
232-0233
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