Mumps vaccinations for kids resume in Calgary

Mumps vaccinations for children have resumed throughout the Calgary Health Region aftera provincewideprogram was suspended earlier this month when several young adultsreported serious allergic reactions.

A new measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is being offered to young children, who routinely receive the first injection at 12 months and the second at 4½ years.

Those who did not receive a vaccination during the suspension between Dec. 10 and 19 will be contacted bya public health clinic in early January to make an appointment.

Inoculationsfor post-secondary staff and students born in 1970 or later, and all Albertans age 17 to 26,remain on holdsince Dec. 10, after six cases of suspected anaphylaxis were reported in young adults who received the MMR vaccine. Anaphylaxis causes a rapid swelling of the throat and airway, which can lead to respiratory failure or brain damage.

The affected youths all had a history of other allergic reactions and have since recovered.

Health Canada is investigating the six incidents, and the vaccine associated with them has been quarantined.

Alberta's mumps outbreak began in October at post-secondary schools in Lethbridge. More than 150 cases of active mumps have been reported in Alberta this year, prompting the province to offer vaccinations in November. More than 62,000 young adults were inoculated before the suspension.