mumps...to vaccinate or not to vaccinate?

rkrausko · May 1, 2006

I was born in 1979, had my first MMR vaccination was in 1980 and a second in 1990. I kind of assume that your 1989 vaccination was probably another MMR and not just Measles, but I may be wrong. If you have had the second shot, you're probably ok (maybe 10% chance of it not working?). To make sure, you might just want to have a titer done.

Even if you do get another vaccination, you may want to get a Mumps titer done anyways. Before entering nursing school in Michigan, I was required to have proof of a positive titer for Mumps, Varicella, and Hepatitis B. When my Varicella came back negative, I had to have the entire series (2 shots) done again and then repeat the titer a month later.

If you don't have the antibodies yet for Mumps, there is still about a month period of time after vaccination that you could still contract the disease (if actually exposed). Also, if you decide to get another shot and haven't had your TB test yet for nursing school, make sure you let whatever clinic you go to know. I think there's a possibility of the Mumps vaccination effecting your TB results up to 8 weeks after vaccination.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · May 1, 2006

I would get your titers checked and go from there.

My mom got mumps when she was in her late 20's and said it wasn't that big of a deal overall, she was sick for a couple days and that was it really. Look at this from the CDC which I found interesting:

"Sometimes mumps is not very symptomatic, and not everyone gets the swollen glands, so it can be confused with other viral illness." ~Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC Press Conference (April 2006)

Good luck deciding what is best for you.

Jolie, BSN · May 1, 2006

I would recommend having a titer drawn, as well.

Vaccines are medications, and I never advocate taking any medication unnecessarily. A titer will make it clear whether or not the vaccine is necessary.

Good luck!

SmilingBluEyes · May 1, 2006

Check titres first, like suggested. And if you are non-immune, you then have the choice to vaccinate, which I personally, would do.

LanaBanana · May 1, 2006

Does the health dept do titers? I don't have the money to pay for them if they're very expensive.

SmilingBluEyes · May 1, 2006

You would need to call them up and ask. Some will, others not.

RunnerRN, BSN, RN · May 1, 2006

Check with your school's student health center....they did my varicella titers during nursing school, and it was very affordable.

On the same note, on of my patients yesterday was a probable mumps (was seen at another area ER on Sat and dx with "salivary gland stone" HA I'd never seen mumps before, but even I could connect those dots!) There are 2 titers - IgG and IgM mumps - so we're waiting for those to come back. If I end up getting it, no big deal. So I get a week off work :)

rkrausko · May 1, 2006

I agree, call your university health services and/or your nursing school admin office (I'm sure they've had lots of these questions, especially recently). The titer may not be free, but shouldn't cost much.

rjflyn, ASN, RN · May 1, 2006

I know about 10 year back I had to have documentation of 2 MMR shot or to have a titer done for a new postion. Well my issue ended up that my shot records were not the best and due to an allergy to poultry I didnt recieve my first MMR until I was 15. The employee health at that job decided though that since they were going to have to pay for the titer and then if it show non immune a MMR as well that the nurse just went ahead and gave my the shot then.

As far as options go as some others have posted, I didnt have much of one and many others dont. Its either take the shots or not work for a particular place. As an example I have a friend's who's partner has never had chicken pox and cant get the vaccine as its not approved for older person or so she has been told. She has been not allowed to work at a couple places because of this.

The same goes for other immunizations ie you can choose not to take them for religious purposes but employers can choose not to allow you to work and schools can choose not to allow you to go to clinicals unless you are immunized.

RJ

SWRN84 · May 1, 2006

We just received notice at work for those of us who were born after 1957, we have to give proof of 2 mumps vaccinations, or have a titer drawn. I did find my immunization record and it looks like I only had one dose in 1971. I will have to have a titer drawn.....hospital will pay for it....if I am not immune, I will have to receive the vaccine. I live in one of the states where the outbreak has spread....I think I read there have been 4 cases here.

labcat01, BSN, RN · May 2, 2006

I would have titers done as others have recommended. Mumps may not seem like a big deal but I read that 6% of the outbreak patients have had Mumps-associated encephelitis....that is a risk I won't take.