MMR-II
This vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella
Ingredients:
Active ingredients:
Live, attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella viruses, which are weakened versions of the whole viruses that are unable to cause disease.
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Note: The measles virus is grown using chicken embryo cells, and the rubella virus is grown using WI-38 cells.
Inactive ingredients:
Ingredients based on a 0.5mL dose
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.
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Carbohydrates: Another word for sugars
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Fetus: A developing, unborn human
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WI-38 cells: These are fibroblast cells from a human fetus that is 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.
Sources
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Package insert: https://www.fda.gov/media/75191/download
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​General:
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WI-38 Cells:​
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Fetus: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/fetus
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Sorbitol:
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Sugar:
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Neomycin: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/neomycin-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20065027?p=1
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Fetal Bovine Serum: ​
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Recombinant human albumin:
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Gelatin:
Last updated: Mar. 30, 2024