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Prevent mumps: ensure your vaccines are up to date

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Prevent mumps: ensure your vaccines are up to date

Due to increased mumps activity in Hamilton and Ontario, City of Hamilton Public Health reminds parents of children attending school to ensure their child’s vaccine records are up to date. Currently, there are less than 5 cases of mumps in Hamilton, but more cases could be expected with the outbreak in Toronto and neighbouring communities.

Mumps is an infection caused by a virus. Most often it causes fever and tenderness and swelling the saliva (spit) glands located near the jaw line below the ears. Mumps is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Mumps can also be spread through contact with the saliva of an infected person through kissing, sharing drinking and eating utensils such as cups, straws, forks or spoons. Call your doctor or a walk-in clinic if you think you or your child has mumps.

Prevent mumps by getting two vaccines:

  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella, or MMR vaccine, given on or after the first birthday
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella, or MMVR vaccine, given between four and six years of age

Parents of children attending school are reminded that two doses of mumps vaccine are required by law (Immunization for School Pupils Act). More information:www.hamilton.ca/vaccinereporting

More information:

For questions about mumps call: 905-540-6636

Updated on Friday, March 31, 2017.
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