Measles / Mumps / Rubella Vaccine

What it is and how it works

Contains live attenuated strains of measles, mumps and rubella viruses. After injection the vaccine viruses replicate to a limited extent and induce humoral and cellular immunity similar to natural infection, providing long-lasting protection against the three diseases.

Indications

Active immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella in children (from about 12 months, or earlier in outbreak settings), and in susceptible adolescents and adults; post-exposure measles prophylaxis within 72 hours.

Dosage and administration (summary)

0.5 mL of the reconstituted vaccine by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection; two doses are given according to the national immunisation schedule.

Contraindications

Pregnancy; severe primary or acquired immunodeficiency or high-dose immunosuppressive therapy; anaphylaxis to a previous dose or to components such as neomycin or gelatin; active untreated tuberculosis; acute severe febrile illness.

Warnings and precautions

Pregnancy should be avoided for 1 month after vaccination. Administration should be delayed after receipt of immunoglobulin or blood products, which may impair the response; tuberculin testing may be temporarily suppressed. Fever and rash may occur 5–12 days after vaccination, with a small risk of febrile seizures and, rarely, thrombocytopenia or parotitis.

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Storage and supply

Store at 2–8 °C, protected from light; use promptly after reconstitution according to the product information.

Source: reference summary prepared from the EU SmPC/EPAR, BNF and WHO Model Formulary. The approved product information in Iran governs.