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MMR and aseptic meningitis

Authoring team

In September 1992, two of the more popular commercial preparations of this vaccine were withdrawn because of their apparent link with development of a mild aseptic meningitis in some children - about one in 11,000.

In terms of reassurance of parents, and encouraging them to continue the uptake of this vaccine the following points should be made:

  • the remaining vaccine now used is considerably safer than the ones withdrawn - which were themselves really very safe.
  • the meningitis caused by the other vaccines was very rare and benign, not to be confused with bacterial meningitis.
  • in children who actually get mumps, one in 400 develop aseptic meningitis, a figure considerably higher than with the vaccine.

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