Measles (Rubeola) (cont.)
In this Article
If a child has an egg allergy, can they still receive the vaccine?
Although the measles vaccine is made using chick embryos, there is no evidence of increased reactions in people with an egg allergy. Therefore the CDC recommends giving MMR vaccine to egg-allergic children without any prior skin testing or the use of special protocols.
What adverse reactions can occur with the vaccination?
Adverse reactions to measles vaccination (as part of the MMR) include fever (5%-15%), rash (5%), joint aches (5%), and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia;
one instance per 30,000 doses). In adult women, up to 25% will suffer joint pain that is due to the rubella component of the vaccine. The fever usually occurs
seven to 12 days after the vaccination, and the rash occurs seven to 10 days after vaccination.
Who should be revaccinated?
The following group of people should be considered unvaccinated and should receive at least
one dose of vaccine:
- People vaccinated before their first birthday should be revaccinated.
- Anyone known to have been vaccinated with the killed measles vaccine (KMV) should be revaccinated.
- Anyone vaccinated with KMV who received their dose of live measles vaccine with
four months of their last dose of vaccine should be revaccinated.
- Anyone vaccinated before 1968 in whom it is not known if the vaccine was KMV or not should be revaccinated.
Where can I find more information about measles?
1. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-Measles.aspx
2. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/
pinkbook/downloads/meas.pdf
3. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/surv-manual/downloads/chpt06_measles.pdf
4. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/
5. http://www.who.int/vaccines-documents/GlobalSummary/GlobalSummary.pdf
6. http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2065.pdf (autism)
- Measles is a potentially serious disease.
- Measles is due to a virus that is easily spread.
- Measles can be complicated by ear infections,
pneumonia, or encephalitis.
- Measles infection of the brain (encephalitis) can
cause convulsions, mental retardation, and even death.
- Measles in pregnant women can cause miscarriages or
premature delivery.
- Measles can be prevented through vaccination.
- Each person not immunized against measles is at risk for
measles and
puts others at risk.
Last Editorial Review: 2/20/2008
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