MMRV
This vaccine protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox)
Ingredients:
Active ingredients:
Live attenuated measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella viruses, which are weakened versions of the whole viruses that are unable to cause disease.
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Note: This vaccine uses MRC-5 and WI-38 cells to grow the active ingredients in the vaccine. This vaccine may contain traces of proteins from MRC-5 cells.
Inactive ingredients:
Ingredients based on a 0.5mL dose
Salts: help maintain the stability and pH of the vaccine
Carbohydrates (sugars): normally used as stabilizers in vaccines
Antibiotics: used to prevent contamination during the manufacturing process
Other:
Some religions such as Islam and Judaism prohibit the consumption of porcine (pork) products. However, according to Jewish law, this does not extend to vaccines because it is not oral consumption. In addition, in Islam, the use of porcine gelatin in vaccines is permitted if lives are at risk and there are no alternatives.
Relevant Terms
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Antibiotics: substances that kill bacteria or prevent them from dividing. Antibiotics are used in some vaccines to prevent contamination during the manufacturing process
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Attenuated: The pathogen is weakened but not completely inactivated. Attenuated pathogens are too weak to cause disease in almost all people. If you are immunocompromised, talk to your doctor before receiving vaccines containing attenuated pathogens.
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Carbohydrates: Another word for sugars
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Fetus: A developing, unborn human
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MRC-5 and WI-38 cells: These are fibroblast cells from human fetuses that are used to grow active ingredients for vaccines. Fibroblast cells connect skin to connective tissue. These cells come from fetuses that were terminated in the 1960s, so no new fetuses are aborted to make vaccines. These cells are safe for use in vaccines.
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pH: a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. The scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic). A pH of 7 is neutral.
Sources
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Vaccine insert: https://www.fda.gov/media/75195/download
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General:
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MRC-5 and WI-38 cells:
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Fetus: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/fetus
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Antibiotics:
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Sodium chloride: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sodium-salt-and-you
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Sodium phosphate:
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Potassium phosphate:
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Potassium chloride:
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Baking soda: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/learn/ingredient-weight-chart
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MSG: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-and-answers-monosodium-glutamate-msg
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Sorbitol:
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Sugar:
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Neomycin:
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Phenol Red:​
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Urea:
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Recombinant human albumin:
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Bovine serum albumin: ​
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Gelatin:
Last updated: July 25, 2024