The safety record of MMR is possibly best attested by its almost universal use, ... Its evaluation cannot be divorced from its effectiveness and the importance of the target diseases. As such, MMR remains an important preventive global intervention.

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Mumps, measles and rubella are serious diseases that can lead to potentially fatal illness, disability and death. ... Measles, mumps and rubella are particularly prevalent in developing countries where vaccination programs are inconsistent and the mortality rate from disease is high. In developed countries, however, mumps, measles and rubella are now rare, due to large-scale vaccination programs.

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