Potential risks in a group of 100
children under 5 years of age
who get measles

Most children will have the common and usually mild (in green) symptoms of measles e.g. fever, cough, runny nose, red, painful eyes, rash. Some may have more than one of these symptoms at the same time.

Potential risks in a group of 100
children who have the MMR
vaccine

Most will have common and usually mild (in green) symptoms of the MMR vaccine e.g. pain or swelling at the injection site, joint pain and stiffness. Some may have more than one of these symptoms at the same time.

26 in 100 may have moderate
(in yellow) symptoms
12 may have diarrhoea
14 may get an ear infection

14 in 100 may have moderate
(in yellow) symptoms
4 may have high fever
4 may be irritable
1 may have swelling of salivary glands
5 may have a non-infectious faint red rash

15 in 100 may have serious (in red) symptoms
9 may get pneumonia
5 may have measles croup
1 may have fever-induced convulsion
Some may be hospitalised for any of the above symptoms

Rare Complications

2 in 1,000 children may have inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Encephalitis from any reason may result in children surviving with permanent brain damage or death

Rare Complications

25 to 34 in 100,000 children may have fever-induced fits or convulsions

3 in 1,000 children who get measles may die as a result of the disease itself

4 in 100,000 children may have a temporary tendency for bruising or bleeding (thrombocytopenia)

1 in 100, 000 children may get subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a late complication of measles, which causes progressive brain damage and nearly always results in death

Up to 4 in 1 million children may get a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis from any reason, may result in death

1 in 1 million children may have inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Encephalitis from any reason may result in children surviving with permanent brain damage or death