MMR | MMRV | Measles | Vaccine Type | Usage | Precautions | Side Effects

MMR | MMRV | Measles | Vaccine Type | Usage | Precautions | Side Effects

  • Measles is caused by Measles virus, an RNA virus of the Paramyxoviridae family.
  • It most commonly affects young children.
  • While Rare in the US, it is endemic in various parts of Asia and Africa.

Vaccine Type


  • Live – attenuated vaccine.

Available as


  • MMR: combination of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccines.
  • MMRV: combination of Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella vaccines.

Effectiveness


  • MMR Single dose 93% effective.
  • Two doses about 97% effective.

Usage


  • Children: All children
    should be vaccinated against measles. Two doses are usually
    required: First one at 12-15 months of age, and a booster dose at
    4-6 years of age.
  • Adults: Adults who are
    unvaccinated and who had never had measles should receive at
    least one dose of the vaccine (preferably two). High-risk people
    like college students, international travelers, and health-care
    workers should get two doses. The doses should be separated by a
    period of at least 28 days.
  • Pregnant women:
    All unvaccinated women planning to become pregnant should be
    vaccinated at least 1 month before getting pregnant. The vaccine
    should not be used during pregnancy. (Unprotected, pregnant women
    should wait till they have given birth before getting MMR/MMRV
    vaccine.)

Precautions


Should not be used in:

  • Patients who had severe
    allergic reaction to previous dose of MMR or MMRV vaccine, Neomycin,
    Gelatin, or any other component of the vaccine.
  • Pregnant women.
  • Patients with AIDS, Cancer or undergoing radiotherapy (MMRV Vaccine).

Consult before usage if:

  • Patient has AIDS/HIV or another
    immunodeficiency condition (MMR Vaccine).
  • History of seizures in the
    concerned child or his siblings (MMRV Vaccine).
  • History of thrombocytopenia,
    blood transfusion.
  • Acutely ill child (Vaccination
    may be differed until the child is well).