Study Finds Many Mumps Cases in Children Who Were Vaccinated

A new study has found that since 2007, one-third of U.S.- reported mumps cases occurred in children and adolescents, the majority of whom were vaccinated. The study, “Mumps in Vaccinated Children and Adolescents,” which will be published in the December 2021 issue of Pediatrics (published online Dec. 1), notes that, after the introduction of a mumps vaccine in 1967, U.S. mumps cases declined by more than 99%; however, since 2006, there has been an increase in mumps cases, with outbreaks reported in schools and other settings involving vaccinated children and adolescents. In 2020, geographically widespread mumps transmission continued across the country despite COVID-19 lockdowns and other prevention measures, with 32 states reporting 142 cases from April 1 to Dec. 31, 2020. Clinicians should suspect mumps in patients with parotitis or mumps complications, regardless of age, travel history, and vaccination status, the authors recommend.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.