MEASLES VACCINE

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    Indications

    • Prevention of measles

    Composition, forms, route of administration

    • Live-attenuated virus vaccine, derived from different viral strains (Schwarz, Edmonston, CAM70, Moraten, etc.)
    • Powder for injection in single multidose vial, to be dissolved with the diluent supplied by the manufacturer, for SC or IM injection into the anterolateral part of the thigh in children < 2 years and into the deltoid muscle in children ≥ 2 years

    Dosage and vaccination schedule

    Routine vaccination

    • Child between 9 and 12 months: one dose of 0.5 ml. The WHO recommends a 2nd dose between 15 and 18 months. Respect an interval of at least 4 weeks between doses.
    • Where there is high risk of infection (overcrowding, epidemics, malnutrition, infants born to a mother with HIV infection, etc.), administer a supplementary dose from 6 months of age then continue vaccination schedule.

     

    Catch-up vaccination

    Children under 15 years who have missed either one or both doses of routine vaccination should be vaccinated when they come in contact with health services. Check national recommendations.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer to patients with severe immune depression or history of an allergic reaction to a previous injection of measles vaccine.
    • Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness; minor infections are not contra-indications.
    • May cause: mild local reaction (pain, redness at the injection site), fever, skin rash; rarely: seizures, encephalitis, anaphylactic reaction.
    • If administered simultaneously with other vaccines, use different syringes and injection sites.
    • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: avoid

    Remarks

    • Combination vaccines that include measles and rubella (MR) or measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are also available in countries where these vaccines are included in the national immunization programme.

    Storage

     
     
    •  Powder: between 2 °C and 8 °C.
    • Diluent: a cold chain is not required for storage. However, at least 12 hours before reconstitution of the vaccine, the diluent must be refrigerated between 2 °C and 8 °C so that the diluent and lyophilised powder are at the same temperature: a temperature difference during reconstitution may reduce vaccine efficacy. Do not freeze.
    • Reconstituted vaccine: between 2 °C and 8 °C for 6 hours maximum.