Thinktwice link to British Medical Journal

Thinktwice links to British Medical Journal

This is a link to a full text article that documents side effects to MMR. Registration required.

Abstract: Children who receive a combined vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella may be more at risk for developing joint and limb symptoms than those who do not. A survey compared the number of episodes of joint and limb symptoms during the first six weeks after vaccination among 1,846 vaccinated children to the number of such episodes among 1,075 children who were not vaccinated. Of the children who reported pain or discomfort in joints or limbs or swollen joints, 145 (9.1%) were vaccinated, and 73 (5.9%) were not. Twenty-four children in the vaccinated group (1.5%) reported their first episode of joint and limb symptoms, compared with 11 (0.9%) in the unvaccinated group. Girls had the same risk for experiencing episodes of joint and limb symptoms as boys, but more risk for experiencing their first episode. Children younger than five years had a significantly higher risk of experiencing these episodes, compared with older children. Most children experienced mild symptoms, but three children required hospitalization.