Who should not receive the mumps vaccine?

Regarding the mumps vaccine, it's true that not everyone is suitable for vaccination. We can categorize the unsuitable groups into several main types for better understanding.

1. People with severe allergies to vaccines

This is easy to understand; just as some people are allergic to peanuts or seafood, others may be allergic to certain components in vaccines.

• If you or your child previously received a mumps vaccine (usually as part of the MMR vaccine) and experienced a very severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, or widespread hives, then vaccination should definitely be avoided.
• Furthermore, if you have a known history of life-threatening hypersensitivity to certain vaccine components (such as "neomycin" or "gelatin"), you must inform your doctor in advance, as vaccination is usually contraindicated in such cases.

2. People with severe immune system problems

The mumps vaccine is a "live attenuated vaccine." You can think of it as a "crippled" virus with very low virulence. A normal person's immune system can easily defeat it and learn how to fight the real virus, thereby developing immunity.

However, if a person's immune system is inherently very weak, like an army with poor combat effectiveness, even this "crippled soldier" might cause damage within the body and trigger an infection. Therefore, the following individuals are not suitable:

• Individuals with congenital immune system deficiencies.
• Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or those with diseases affecting the immune system such as leukemia or lymphoma.
• People taking high doses of "immunosuppressants" or corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) due to organ transplantation or other reasons.
• Patients with severe AIDS (HIV infection) and significantly compromised immune function.

3. Pregnant women

Pregnant women should not be vaccinated. Although there is currently no evidence that the vaccine will definitely harm the unborn baby, it is a live virus. For the absolute safety of the baby, it's better to be "safe than sorry" and consider vaccination after giving birth. Doctors usually recommend waiting 1-3 months after vaccination before trying to conceive.

4. Several temporarily unsuitable situations

Besides the above, there are some situations where vaccination is only temporarily unsuitable, and it can be administered once the situation changes:

• People who are currently ill: If you have a high fever or a severe acute illness, wait until you have recovered before getting vaccinated. Allow your immune system to focus on fighting the current illness. However, a mild cold or runny nose generally does not affect vaccination.
• People who have recently received blood transfusions or blood products: If you have recently received a blood transfusion or immunoglobulin, you need to inform your doctor. This is because these blood products may contain antibodies that can "neutralize" the vaccine's effect, rendering it ineffective. You will need to wait for a certain period before vaccination.

In summary:

The most reliable approach is to thoroughly explain your health status, or your child's condition, to the doctor at the vaccination clinic before getting vaccinated. This includes any medical history, allergy history, medications currently being taken, etc. The doctor will make the most professional and safest judgment based on your specific situation. Never assume "it should be fine" and proceed with vaccination; safety comes first!