Notable facts:

• Mumps is a viral illness characterized by swelling of the parotid gland (cheek and jaw).
• Vaccination is the best way to prevent mumps.
• Though not entirely preventable, its severity and likelihood of serious complications can be drastically reduced by vaccination.
• Mumps vaccination is included in the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccines.
• Two doses of vaccine confer about 88% immunity while a single dose confers 78% immunity.
• The National Program For Immunization (NPI) recommends a single dose to be given children 15 and 18 months of age.

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