Deaths Following MMR and MMRV Vaccination in the United States

Abstract

Background: The measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) and measles–mumps–rubella–varicella (MMRV) vaccines are routinely administered in the United States beginning at 12–15 months of age. Given their near-universal use in early childhood, ongoing post-licensure safety surveillance is critical.

Methods: The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) was queried via the MedAlerts.org interface for death reports involving MMR and MMRV vaccines through August 29, 2025. U.S.-attributed death reports were analyzed descriptively. Variables examined included age at death, time-to-death following vaccination, sex, concomitant vaccine administration, reported clinical features, and healthcare utilization.

Results: A total of 536 deaths associated with MMR or MMRV vaccination were identified globally in VAERS, including 299 U.S. reports that comprised the analytic cohort. Among U.S. reports, a modest male predominance was observed (52.8% male, 41.1% female; 6% missing sex data). Deaths were heavily concentrated in early childhood. A total of 182 of 299 reports (60.9%) occurred in children under 2 years of age, with 156 deaths (52.2%) specifically in the 1.0–1.5 year age group corresponding to the routine first-dose window. Temporal clustering following vaccination was pronounced. A total of 120 deaths (40.1%) occurred within 7 days and 158 deaths (52.8%) within 14 days of vaccination. Among deaths occurring within the first week, 68.6% involved children aged 1.0–1.5 years. The majority of deaths (74.6%) occurred in the context of combination vaccination visits involving one or more additional concomitant vaccines, while 25.4% followed MMR/MMRV administration alone. Clinical presentations were heterogeneous but demonstrated recurring patterns. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or sudden unexplained death was the most frequently reported category (24%), followed by fever (15%), seizures (12%), cardiac arrest (8%), respiratory distress (7%), and encephalitis (3%). Emergency department visits were documented in 23.7% of reports and hospital admission in 25.4%, indicating substantial clinical severity preceding death. Since 1995, 193 U.S. MMR/MMRV-associated deaths with identifiable dates have been reported to VAERS, whereas only 7 measles infection–associated deaths have been documented during the same period—amounting to a 2,657% higher count of reported vaccine-associated deaths.

Conclusions: We identified a serious mortality safety signal following MMR/MMRV vaccination in the United States. A substantial number of reported deaths were documented, with patterns demonstrating pronounced alignment across age, temporality, routine-dose timing, concomitant vaccine exposure, and recurring clinical presentations—including fever, seizures, SIDS, and cardiac arrest. Reported deaths were predominantly concentrated in children under 2 years of age, and the majority occurred within the first 14 days following vaccination. The synchronization of age-specific clustering with immediate post-vaccination timing reflects a non-random pattern of mortality. This concern is further amplified by the stark contrast between reported vaccine-associated deaths and the exceedingly rare number of measles infection–associated deaths in the modern era. The magnitude, concentration, and temporal proximity of these reports demand rigorous, transparent, and fully independent evaluation. Future research should prioritize active surveillance cohort studies, detailed autopsies with virologic testing, and record-linked datasets capable of assessing background mortality and determining causal relationships.