Measles

Key Information

• Disease: Measles is highly communicable, with outbreaks in Canada mainly due to imported cases.
• Vaccine: Available as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
• Effectiveness: A single dose is 85-95% effective; two doses approach 100% efficacy.
• Reactions: Generally mild, including injection site pain, redness, fever, and rash. MMRV vaccine may increase the risk of febrile seizures.

Recommendations for Use

• Routine Immunization:
  • Children: 2 doses of MMR or MMRV vaccine at 12-15 months and 18 months.
  • Unimmunized Children and Adolescents: 2 doses of MMR or MMRV vaccine.
  • Susceptible Adults (born in or after 1970): 1 dose of MMR vaccine; 2 doses for those at higher risk.
• Specific Populations:
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Vaccination contraindicated during pregnancy; advised postpartum.
  • Health Care Workers and Travellers: Ensure 2 doses of MMR vaccine.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

• MMR Vaccine: Administer within 72 hours of exposure.
• Human Immunoglobulin (Ig): Administer within 6 days for susceptible contacts (e.g., infants, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals).

Preparations Authorized for Use in Canada

• MMR Vaccines:
  • M-M-R®II (Merck Canada Inc.)
  • PRIORIX® (GlaxoSmithKline Inc.)
• MMRV Vaccines:
  • PRIORIX-TETRA® (GlaxoSmithKline Inc.)
  • ProQuad™ (Merck Canada Inc.)
• Human Immunoglobulin:
  • GamaSTAN® (Grifols Therapeutics LLC)

Administration Practices

• Dose: 0.5 mL subcutaneous injection.
• Concurrent Administration: Can be administered with other vaccines, but separate sites and needles are required.

Safety and Adverse Events

• Common Adverse Events: Fever, rash, injection site reactions.
• Serious Adverse Events: Rare, including anaphylaxis and febrile seizures.