Recommendations on measles vaccination

1. The Importance of Measles Vaccination

Reduces the risk of measles infection.
Prevents serious complications associated with the disease.
Protects the community by reducing the overall risk of infection.

2. Important Considerations

Intramuscular injections should not be given to individuals with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia, as this may result in bleeding complications
Individuals taking immunosuppressive medications should wait at least six months before receiving the vaccine. Vaccination should also be postponed for at least three months after receiving immunoglobulin or blood/plasma transfusions. Additionally, pregnancy should be avoided for three months after vaccination.
The measles vaccine can be administered simultaneously with the DT, Td, TT, BCG, polio, and hepatitis B vaccines without affecting their effectiveness. However, live vaccines should not be given within four weeks before or after another live vaccine, with the exception of the polio vaccine. In outbreak situations, early vaccination can be performed for children aged 6 to 9 months, but doses given before 9 months of age are not considered part of the primary immunization schedule.

3. Common measles Vaccines in Vietnam

No.	Trade Name	Manufacturer	Composition	Schedule	Administration
1	MMR II	MSD (USA)	The live attenuated combination vaccine contains three antigens: measles, mumps, and rubella. It includes ATTENUVAX, which is a highly attenuated measles virus from the Edmonston-Enders strain grown in chick embryo cell culture; MUMPSVAX, derived from the Jeryl Lynn mumps virus strain also grown in chick embryo cells; and MERUVAX II, which is a live attenuated rubella virus strain (Wistar RA 27/3) cultivated in human lung fibroblast cells (WI-38).	Dose: 0.5ml Basic schedule: For children from 12 months old. Booster dose: At 4-6 years old or earlier if an outbreak occurs (at least 28 days apart). A booster dose may be necessary for adolescents, especially females after puberty.	Intramuscular or subcutaneous
2	Priorix	GSK (Belgium)	This vaccine is a freeze-dried combination of attenuated viruses, consisting of the Schwarz measles strain, the RIT 4385 mumps strain (from Jeryl Lynn), and the Wistar RA 27/3 rubella strain, cultured in chick embryos for the mumps and measles components, and in human diploid MRC-5 cells for the rubella component.	Dose: 0.5ml For children 9 to 12 months old: Dose 1: 9 to 12 months old. Dose 2: After 12 months, at least four weeks apart. For children over 12 months, adolescents, and adults: Dose 1: 12 months and older. Dose 2: As per official recommendations, at least four weeks apart.	Intramuscular or subcutaneous

No.

Trade Name

Manufacturer

Composition

Schedule

Administration

MMR II

MSD (USA)

The live attenuated combination vaccine contains three antigens: measles, mumps, and rubella. It includes ATTENUVAX, which is a highly attenuated measles virus from the Edmonston-Enders strain grown in chick embryo cell culture; MUMPSVAX, derived from the Jeryl Lynn mumps virus strain also grown in chick embryo cells; and MERUVAX II, which is a live attenuated rubella virus strain (Wistar RA 27/3) cultivated in human lung fibroblast cells (WI-38).

Dose: 0.5ml

Basic schedule: For children from 12 months old.

Booster dose: At 4-6 years old or earlier if an outbreak occurs (at least 28 days apart). A booster dose may be necessary for adolescents, especially females after puberty.

Intramuscular or subcutaneous

Priorix

GSK (Belgium)

This vaccine is a freeze-dried combination of attenuated viruses, consisting of the Schwarz measles strain, the RIT 4385 mumps strain (from Jeryl Lynn), and the Wistar RA 27/3 rubella strain, cultured in chick embryos for the mumps and measles components, and in human diploid MRC-5 cells for the rubella component.

Dose: 0.5ml

For children 9 to 12 months old:

Dose 1: 9 to 12 months old. Dose 2: After 12 months, at least four weeks apart.

For children over 12 months, adolescents, and adults:

Dose 1: 12 months and older. Dose 2: As per official recommendations, at least four weeks apart.

Intramuscular or subcutaneous

4. Adverse Effects

Common reactions include mild pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, dizziness, mild fever, and irritability. These symptoms typically resolve quickly.
Severe reactions (rare) include persistent high fever requiring hospitalization, purpura, thrombocytopenia, and seizures.

Compiled by: Le Minh Dat (email: lmd@vpha.org.vn)

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References:

1. Hội Y học Dự phòng Việt Nam (2023), Khuyến cáo Lịch tiêm chủng vắc xin cho mọi lứa tuổi ở Việt Nam, Nhà xuất bản Y học