Early Measles Vaccination Not Recommended

Which means, this study’s findings support existing US measles vaccine schedules.

Except for high-risk groups, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a first dose of the trivalent measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) at 12 months through 15 months. A second dose should be given at 4 through 6 years of age, but it can be given earlier if at least 28 days have passed since the first dose.

Among children given a first measles vaccine dose at 11, 12, 13-14 and 15-22 months of age the Canadian investigators found that the percentage of vaccine recipients testing seronegative for measles 6 weeks post-vaccination was 8.5%, 3.2%, 2.4%, and 1.5%, respectively.

Additionally, the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine produced a stronger immune response across all groups.

The authors noted that these effects persisted even after children received the second vaccine dose.

According to the CDC, the measles virus is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. It is highly contagious and can remain so for up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces.

The CDC says vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects.

Most people who get MMRV vaccine do not have any serious problems with it. Getting MMRV vaccine is much safer than getting measles, mumps, rubella, or varicella.

Merck is the manufacturer of the mumps vaccinations. MMR and ProQuad both contain the protection for mumps, as well as protection for measles, rubella. ProQuad additionally protects against varicella.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides current vaccine contract prices and list the private sector vaccine prices for general information.

These researchers did not disclose any conflicts of interest: Sara Carazo Perez, MD, PhD; Gaston De Serres, MD, PhD; Alexandre Bureau, PhD; Danuta M Skowronski, MD, FRCP.