Mumps Immunization Campaign To Resume

Mumps Immunization Clinic Schedule

April 25, 2008: Capital Health will resume its enhanced mumps immunization campaign [given as Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine] on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008. Clinics will be held throughout the region. Specific details are being finalized. Clinic dates, times and locations will be posted on this site and in published in local media once they become available.

In Phase 1 of the campaign, held late last year, students and staff in post secondary institutions were the priority target. However, in this second phase of the campaign the eligibility criteria include:

• Adults born in and between 1980 and 1990 who have not previously had mumps disease or have not received two doses of MMR vaccine.*
• Adults born in or after 1970 who are living in a communal environment, such as a work camp, and who have not previously had mumps disease or have not received two doses of MMR vaccine. *
• Health care workers born in or after 1970 who have not previously had mumps disease or have not received two doses of MMR vaccine.
• Post-secondary students born in or after 1970 who have not previously had mumps disease or have not received two doses of MMR vaccine.

* A second dose of Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine is not required if the individual has been immunized with one dose of this vaccine on or after his/her 18th birthday.

If possible, eligible individuals should bring their immunization records with them to ensure mumps immunization is needed.

If you are in one of the groups listed above and have already had two doses of MMR vaccine you do not require further MMR immunization.

April 1 Update: Alberta Health and Wellness announced plans to resume the enhanced mumps immunization campaign.

Feb. 5 Update: Alberta Health and Wellness has recently obtained an adequate supply of MMR vaccine which allows Capital Health to offer routine MMR vaccine to infants and children between 4-6 years of age. 
 
In Alberta, children routinely receive two doses of MMR vaccine, the first at one year and the second between 4-6 years of age. 

Jan. 9 Update:  An investigation by Health Canada into the unusual number of severe reactions to the MMR vaccine has begun.  The Enhanced Mumps Immunization Program for young adults between 17-26 years of age is temporarily suspended pending the results of this investigation. The implicated lots of vaccine only affected the MMR vaccine supply intended for immunization of young adults.

Dec. 14 Update: Alberta Health and Wellness in consultation with Health Canada has temporarily suspended the province-wide enhanced mumps campaign.

The suspension is due to six cases of serious allergic reactions (suspected anaphylaxis) reported following Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunization in the 63,000 immunizations given to young adults in Alberta over the last few weeks. All individuals recovered completely. 

These reactions are associated with only one lot of MMR vaccine sold by MerckFrosst Canada. Use of two other related lots of vaccine has also been suspended pending further investigation. Unfortunately, these three lots made up virtually all of the MMR vaccine in our region and Alberta.

Post-secondary students and staff who received this lot of MMR vaccine during Phase 1 of the enhanced mumps campaign are not at risk of severe reaction because these reactions typically occur within 15 minutes to 24 hours after immunization.

The single best way to prevent mumps is to get immunized.

Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads easily from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, and direct contact with the saliva of an infected person.  In most cases, individuals will recover from mumps within one to two weeks. Mumps, considered to be a childhood disease, can have serious complications if contracted as an adult including sterility, meningitis, and deafness.

Getting your Immunization

Mumps-containing vaccine has been routinely used in Alberta since 1982. 

More Inforamtion about the mumps disease. (Alberta Health & Wellness)

Do you think you have mumps disease?

Symptoms of mumps disease may include headache, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain when chewing or swallowing, and pain and swelling of glands under the ears or on either side of the face.  Swelling often begins on one side of the face, then spreads to the other side.

If you suspect mumps disease, call Capital Health Link at 408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Limit contact with others – do not go to school, work or any public places or participate in any social activities – until assessed by a health care provider.