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Take this quiz to test your knowledge of the measles virus and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine!

How Much Do You Know About The Measles?

Measles can easily spread through the air from sneezing or coughing of infected persons.

Droplet spread (sneezing, coughing)

How is the measles spread?

The measles virus can live up to 2 hours in an airspace where an infected person coughed or sneezed.

2 hours!

How long does the measles virus survive in the air?

The measles virus that is used in the MMR vaccine is grown in cell cultures of chick embryos.
In fact, according to Dr. Paul Offit, “The first measles vaccine required a virologist and a chicken breeder. If both hadn’t been born and raised in Montana, the road to a lifesaving vaccine may not have existed or might have been much longer." - Vaccinated

True!

True or False: Chicken cells were used to create the MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine--but do not fear! The measles virus was weakened when it was growing in chicken cells. The measles virus in the MMR vaccine is more likely to infect chickens.

Live Attenuated Vaccine

What type of vaccine is the MMR vaccine?

As per the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the MMR vaccine is given in two separate doses.

Two!

How many doses of the MMR vaccine does a patient receive?

As per the CDC Children Immunization Schedule, it is recommended that children receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine after their first birthday and the second dose around 4-6 years of age.

12-15 months and 4-6 years old

What are the recommended ages to receive the MMR vaccine?

A person who has contracted the measles virus may not know they are infected until 7-14 days after they came in contact with the virus--this incubation period is prime time for the measles virus to spread to more people!

7-14 days

How long does it take to show signs and symptoms of a measles virus infection?

According to the World Health Organization, the MMR vaccine has helped save over 17.1 million lives worldwide since 2000.

17 million lives!

Since 2000, approximately how many lives has the MMR vaccine saved globally?

Although all vaccines come with some risks, the benefits are far superior--providing you with long-term immunity to serious diseases

All of the above!

What is an adverse effect of the MMR vaccine?

Once you have had the measles, you will be immune for life (or you could just get the vaccine and be protected for life ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯)

False

True or False: You can get the measles more than once

Maurice Hilleman, the inventor of over 25 vaccines, played a pivotal role in the making of the MMR vaccine.

Maurice Hilleman

Who is primarily responsible for the MMR vaccine we use today?

Attenuvax is a live-attenuated line of measles virus, Mumpsvax is a strain of the mumps virus and Meruvax is a strain of live-attenuated rubella virus.

What are the components of the MMR vaccine?

The measles vaccine is INCREDIBLY contagious. In fact, if one person has the virus, 90% of people in close contact, who don't have immunity will also contract the disease.

True or False: The measles virus is highly contagious

Before the vaccine became available, almost all children contracted the measles virus by the age of 15 years old. It is estimated that 3-4 million people were infected with the virus each year.

True or False: Before the MMR vaccine was available, almost all children got measles by the time they were 15 years old

In 1912, the measles virus became a nationally notifiable disease in the US, meaning that all health care providers and labs were required to report all diagnosed cases.

1912

What year did the measles become a nationally recognized disease in the US?

Don't worry though! There are plenty of reliable sources available, such as the CDC or the WHO websites, where you can find more information!

You might wanna brush up on your Measles facts...

You did a good job, but there's always room for improvement! Try to learn a little bit more about Measles and you'll be an expert in no time.

You're alllllmost a Measles expert.

Great job! Now go spread your knowledge to the world! Vaccination is important!

You're a Measles Expert!

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How Much Do You Know About The Measles?

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