Vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella: how and when to get vaccinated

The danger of measles for adults

In adulthood, measles is very severe. The disease sharply reduces the patient's immunity, causing complications in the form of pneumonia, hepatitis, sinusitis, otitis, bronchitis, pyelonephritis, meningitis and meningoencephalitis, keratitis, eustachitis.

All complications can lead to unpredictable consequences, but the most dangerous are meningoencephalitis, which affects the nervous system, and encephalitis, which is fatal in a quarter of all cases of its occurrence.

Vaccination is the only way to protect yourself from measles and not become infected with it in childhood and adulthood.

When and how to get vaccinated against measles

Adults are vaccinated against measles according to the schedule approved in a particular country. Up to the age of 35, every person is entitled to free vaccination, provided that he has not been sick and has never been vaccinated against measles. Also, regardless of age, free measles vaccination is mandatory for persons who have been in contact with infected people, but have not previously been sick and have not been vaccinated.

If a person received only one vaccination as a child, he is vaccinated in the same way as an adult who has never been vaccinated against this disease - twice with a three-month interval between administrations. The immunity obtained in this way is resistant to the virus for 12 years.

The measles vaccine is administered to adults under the skin or intramuscularly in the upper third of the shoulder. Due to the pronounced fat layer, the vaccine is not administered to the gluteal muscle, as well as to any other areas of the body prone to the formation of compactions.

Should you get vaccinated against measles?

The measles virus is transmitted by airborne droplets and has a high rate of spread. Because the incubation period is two weeks, an ill person infects many others before symptoms become obvious. Despite the popular belief that measles experienced in early childhood does not pose a danger, medical data on mortality are not reassuring. According to WHO, even with modern therapy, 5-10% of deaths from the disease are recorded. Therefore, using the vaccine is simply necessary!

Primary manifestations can easily be confused with a cold. Temperature increases, catarrhal manifestations, signs of general intoxication of the body. Then spots appear on the mucous membrane of the mouth and by the third day a characteristic rash appears.

Even if infection has occurred, vaccination against measles will significantly alleviate the course of the disease and prevent serious complications.

Disturbances in the functions of the central nervous system, respiratory or digestive system can become chronic from the injury or lead to profound disability.

Widespread vaccination prevents the spread of infection, reduces mortality and disability. Most people have a mild reaction to the measles vaccine and no complications.

Measles vaccination rules

The vaccination scheme assumes that the first vaccination is given to a child aged one to one and a half years, but in countries with an increased threshold for morbidity, children can begin to be vaccinated from 6 months.

The second dose of the vaccine is administered to consolidate the result of the first, to develop additional immunity in case of insufficient formation and in the case when the first vaccination was missed for some reason.

The timing of measles vaccinations coincides with the same timing for rubella and mumps. That is why sometimes these vaccinations are carried out in a comprehensive manner, protecting children with one drug from three severe infections at once.

Effect of the vaccine

The measles vaccine creates immunity against this disease for 20 years. However, at the age of six, the need for revaccination arises, since some children turned out to be insensitive to the virus introduced at the age of one, some have weakened immunity against measles, therefore, for more reliable protection, children are vaccinated twice.

During the third vaccination, which usually occurs in adolescence at the age of 15-17, people most often receive a multicomponent vaccine, since on the eve of childbearing age, girls and boys need protection against rubella and mumps, and the anti-measles component simply enhances the already formed protection.

Why do you need a certificate?

A vaccination certificate is a document compiled on the basis of a medical record of preventive vaccinations and containing all the information about the immunization performed. It indicates the names and date of the drugs administered, and the local reaction of the vaccinee.
The certificate is an attachment to the medical card. A certificate may also be issued in person. This document has the same legal force as a vaccination card. Vaccination is the only method of protecting the country’s population from dangerous infectious viral pathologies. There are mandatory vaccinations and those that are optional. All of them are displayed in the medical book.

A certificate of immunoprophylaxis performed is necessary in order to understand whether a person is protected from infection with severe infectious viral pathologies and whether he poses a threat to others. If the measles vaccination has not been done, then the child or adult may be a carrier of a dangerous virus.

A vaccination certificate is required in the following cases:

• enrollment in kindergarten;
• registration for school;
• admission to a technical school or university;
• enrollment in the armed ranks of Russia;
• obtaining a visa to foreign countries;
• hospitalization;
• employment (especially if a person is applying for the position of a doctor, cook, waiter, teacher, teacher, educator);
• registration at the maternity hospital;
• visiting a sanatorium, dispensary, recreation center;
• travel abroad.

Vaccination appointments are made by doctors. The certificate is certified by the doctor’s signature and the seal and stamp of the medical institution. If you fill out the form yourself according to the sample, then such a document will be considered invalid.

Vaccinations are given against many dangerous diseases. To support immunity, revaccination is carried out. Therefore, the certificate is constantly updated and supplemented with new information.

Types of measles vaccines

There are several types of measles vaccines available today. All of them are divided into mono-vaccines, aimed at combating only measles, and combined vaccines, which help protect the body from other severe viruses at the same time.

Mono-vaccines registered and used in Russia include:

1. Dry measles vaccine (Russia);
2. Vaccine Ruvax (Aventis Pasteur).

Among the combined vaccines (multicomponent) vaccines are:

1. Russian mumps-measles vaccine.
2. Three-component American vaccine MMP II.
3. Three-component Belgian vaccine Priorix.

Multicomponent vaccines that simultaneously protect against measles, mumps and rubella can only be purchased independently at vaccination centers or pharmacies. Russian anti-measles mono-vaccines are available in regular clinics.

It is important to remember that single-component vaccines are administered exclusively to the area of ​​the shoulder or shoulder blade, while foreign multicomponent drugs can also be administered intramuscularly, according to the instructions.

Anyone can choose their own vaccines for themselves or their child. However, most often for the administration of multicomponent vaccines that are not supplied by the Ministry of Health, they are purchased independently.

Single vaccines (measles component only)

LCV (live measles vaccine)

The domestically produced live measles monovaccine is an effective means of protection against measles already on the 28th day after injection. Over the next 18 years, a person can be confident about his immunity against this infection.

Among the main contraindications for such a single vaccine, doctors name exacerbation of chronic diseases, acute viral and bacterial infections, cancer, HIV, and allergic reactions to the components of the drug. for injection. Also, LCV should not be used together with immunoglobulin and serums.

Ruvax (Aventis Pasteur, France)

The French-made monovaccine Ruvax helps prevent measles infection 2 weeks after vaccination. The effect of vaccination lasts for 20 years. Doctors recommend Ruvax for vaccination of newborns, in conditions of increased epidemiological conditions, or in other cases of vaccination under the age of 1 year. Contraindications for the Ruvax vaccination are the same as for GIB; in addition, Ruvax cannot be used by those undergoing radiation or corticosteroid therapy, or using cytostatics.

Combination vaccines

MMR II (measles, rubella, mumps)

The American vaccine against three serious infections, MMP-II, has proven itself very well in modern immunological practice. It can be administered simultaneously with DTP, DPT, polio or chickenpox vaccinations, provided that each injection is given to a different area of ​​the body.

Among the main contraindications for MMP-II injection, doctors identify pregnancy, HIV, exacerbation of various chronic diseases, allergies to neomycin and chicken egg white.

Priorix (measles, rubella, mumps)

The second popular triple threat vaccine is Priorix, produced by the same pharmaceutical company that makes the famous DTP, Infanrix. The degree of purification of this company's vaccines is very high, due to which the reaction to vaccination is less pronounced.

Contraindications for the administration of Priorix are exactly the same as for MMP-II, in addition, this vaccine cannot be administered for neomycin contact dermatitis and acute phases of stomach diseases.

Mumps-measles vaccine (Russia)

The two-component Russian mumps-measles vaccine is administered to people, according to the approved vaccination schedule, at 1 and 6 years of age, and then during revaccinations of adults.

Doctors include the following main contraindications for the use of such a two-component vaccine:

• periods of pregnancy and lactation;
• anaphylactic shock, allergies;
• oncological diseases;
• severe reactions and complications from previous use of this vaccine;
• various diseases in the acute stage.

Measles-rubella vaccine

The Russian two-component measles and rubella vaccine is completely similar to the mumps-measles vaccine. It is important to remember that when using two-component vaccines, it is also necessary to purchase a single vaccine with the missing component of protection for full immunity against common viral infections.

For whom vaccination is contraindicated

Measles vaccination, despite the need for vaccination, has a number of contraindications.

It could be:

1. individual hypersensitivity of the body with the risk of developing systemic allergic reactions - anaphylaxis, angioedema (Quincke). Including hypersensitivity to aminoglycoside antibiotics, quail or chicken egg white;
2. severe reactions or complications from a previous vaccination;
3. the presence of primary or secondary immunodeficiency conditions;
4. malignant blood pathologies and neoplasms;
5. pregnancy.

There are other nuances of vaccination:

1. The non-anaphylactic nature of egg allergy and the presence of contact dermatitis provoked by neomycin (aminoglycoside antibiotics) are not an obstacle to vaccination.
2. Measles vaccine can be administered to patients with asymptomatic HIV and AIDS infection.
3. Vaccination is postponed in case of exacerbation of chronic disease until acute processes are relieved.
4. In acute clinical cases of intestinal pathologies and uncomplicated forms of acute respiratory viral infections, vaccination is carried out after the temperature has normalized.

General rules for parents

On the eve of any proposed vaccination, the child must be protected from third-party contacts in order to avoid contracting any infections. In addition, it is not recommended to overcool the child, expose the child to sunlight, or overheat or acclimatize before vaccinations. The immune system reacts very sharply to any stress, which is all of the above impacts, and vaccination is also a stress factor for the immune system. When stress reactions are combined, antibody formation may malfunction and the development of the desired immunity may be disrupted.

Vaccination of children according to the vaccination calendar

In order to avoid all sorts of complications, pathology of the nervous system, as well as other severe consequences of measles, all children must be vaccinated against measles, according to the vaccination calendar in force in the area. At the moment, the minimum age of a child for measles vaccination is 9 months, since until this moment the baby must be protected by maternal antibodies. And the newborn’s immunity is weak enough to survive vaccination and form the necessary antibodies. Even at the age of 9 months, with the introduction of the measles vaccine, immunity occurs in only 90% of children. When such a vaccine is administered at 12 months, immunity is formed in almost all vaccinated people.

Thus, the optimal time for the first vaccination is considered to be 1 year of age. But in regions with a severe epidemiological situation, it is recommended to start vaccinating children earlier, which is where the 9-month figure came from. In this case, repeated vaccination is carried out at 15-18 months.

In countries with a calm epidemiological situation, it is customary to vaccinate children for the first time at 1 year of age, and subsequently revaccinate at 6 years of age. This vaccination tactic has eradicated measles outbreaks in many regions.

Names of measles vaccines

A vaccine is an antigenic material that, upon penetration into the body, stimulates the development of specific immunity to a specific disease. Today, the pharmaceutical industry produces a number of drugs to protect against measles.

Vaccines are divided into single preparations and multivalent ones. Of the one-component products, live measles culture vaccine and Ruvax are usually used.

Live measles vaccine

This is a domestic drug. Its manufacturer is the Moscow pharmaceutical company Microgen. Vaccination is used for routine or emergency prevention of measles in adults and children.

Live measles vaccine is available in the form of a lyophilisate. The powder is packaged in a bottle. Before use, the dry substance is dissolved in injection water. For children, the vaccine is given subcutaneously in the upper arm.

The composition of the gastrointestinal tract is represented by the following components:

• inactivated live measles virus strain Leningrad-16;
• gentamicin sulfate;
• kanamycin sulfate;
• LS-18;
• gelatin.

The causative agent of measles is grown artificially on a culture of quail embryos. Antibodies to the virus take several weeks to develop. The effectiveness of the drug reaches 95%. Stable specific immunity lasts for 15-18 years.

LCV is allowed to be administered on the same day with vaccines against mumps, hepatitis type B, rubella, and polio. As a rule, the vaccine is well tolerated. Most often, after administration of live measles vaccine, a local reaction in the form of redness and swelling is observed.

Also, many children have a low-grade fever for the first few days after the injection. Sometimes GIB provokes coughing, allergies (rash, anaphylaxis, angioedema), fever, and diarrhea. In rare cases, complications develop in the form of seizures and encephalitis.

Ruwax

This is a French measles vaccine.
Its manufacturer is the world-famous pharmaceutical company Aventis Pasteur. Ruvax contains a weakened measles virus cultured in chicken embryos. The drug is produced in the form of a lyophilisate, which is packaged in a bottle. The kit includes a solvent in a syringe or ampoule. It is recommended to use only the dilution liquid contained in the Ruvax package. Otherwise, the risk of unpleasant symptoms increases.

Specific immunity after a Ruvax injection is formed within two weeks . Antibodies remain in high concentrations in the body for at least 20 years. The French vaccine is allowed to be used by children over 9 months old, in the presence of chronic pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, respiratory organs, and metabolic disorders.

The drug is administered deeply subcutaneously or inside the muscle. Before use, the lyophilisate is mixed with a solvent until a homogeneous composition is obtained. The finished product should have a yellowish color with an orange or pinkish tint. Reviews from parents and doctors confirm the effectiveness and good tolerance of the vaccine.

Some babies experience adverse reactions in the form of hyperthermia, body rashes, digestive disorders and sleep disturbances. In case of hypersensitivity, anaphylactic and toxic shock is possible.

Vaccine Ruvax

Measles vaccination and pregnancy

During pregnancy, measles infection is very dangerous; it can lead to miscarriage and all sorts of fetal malformations. Because the measles vaccine contains live viruses, it is contraindicated during pregnancy. A woman needs to take care of her own safety before planning a pregnancy and undergo the necessary vaccinations.

Allergy to measles vaccine

Most modern vaccines are prepared using egg whites. If an allergy to egg white occurs at different periods of a child’s life, manifesting itself in the form of angioedema, urticaria, anaphylactic shock, the child should not be given the measles vaccine.

To find out whether there is a risk of such an allergic reaction, you must:

• soak a clean finger in raw egg white;
• Apply this finger to the inner surface of the baby’s lip;
• If there is slight swelling of the lip over the next 5 minutes, it may be concluded that vaccination with standard vaccines is impossible.

If the possibility of developing an allergic reaction is detected, it is necessary for the doctor to select a replacement for the standard vaccine and vaccinate with another means.

Contraindications to vaccination

Contraindications for vaccination in adults include acute respiratory viral infections or exacerbation of chronic diseases. With these symptoms, vaccination is postponed, on average, for a month.

In adults, there are also absolute contraindications for vaccination, among which doctors cite allergies to bird eggs, allergic reactions to antibiotics, previous vaccinations, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In children, contraindications for injections against viral infections are:

• any disease in the acute stage;
• primary immunodeficiency;
• AIDS;
• use of blood products and immunoglobulin the day before;
• complications associated with previous vaccination;
• intolerance to aminoglycosides, protein;
• oncological diseases.

Possible reactions to vaccination

In its normal course, the measles vaccine causes in adults:

• slight redness at the injection site;
• temperature up to 37.5 degrees;
• catarrhal phenomena;
• joint pain.

But it is possible to develop very dangerous side reactions - allergic shock, urticaria, Quincke's edema. Also, in particularly rare and severe cases, adults may develop encephalitis, pneumonia, meningitis, and myocarditis. To avoid such consequences, vaccination should be carried out while being completely healthy, and on the eve of the event, you need to consult an immunologist and use antihistamines.

How is the vaccine tolerated?

The immunization process is quite easy for adults to tolerate, this is possible due to the low reactogenicity of the drug. These symptoms accompany the grafting process:

• rhinitis and its symptoms;
• slight redness near the puncture site;
• slight increase in temperature;
• mild joint pain.

These symptoms are normal and may last up to 2-3 days. There are times when dangerous reactions such as anaphylactic shock, encephalitis, disruption of the central nervous system, as well as pneumonia, heart failure and myocarditis are detected.

Reaction to vaccination in children

Among the common childhood reactions to measles vaccination, doctors call:

• swelling and redness of the injection site;
• some catarrhal phenomena;
• the appearance of a skin rash;
• poor appetite;
• fever during the first 6 days after vaccination.

In this case, all of the above symptoms can manifest themselves to varying degrees. The temperature may rise slightly, or may reach 39-40 degrees, other symptoms may or may not be present, but they should all gradually subside a week after vaccination.

What is considered normal after vaccination?

After some time from the measles strain entering the body, the production of antibodies to this virus begins. The child’s body puts up a barrier to infection and this is expressed by the following reactions:

1. swelling and redness at the injection site;
2. catarrhal phenomena: cough, redness of the throat, conjunctivitis;
3. skin rash that goes away after 1 day;
4. problems with appetite and general malaise, drowsiness;
5. elevated temperature, relieved by antipyretic medications.

It should be understood that the discomfort from the injection passes quickly enough; this is not a pathology, but a protective reaction.

Adverse reactions after vaccination

Complications expressed by various symptoms and side effects from measles vaccines are not common. Sometimes the temperature may increase as a side effect, and sometimes conjunctivitis or rashes may occur. All symptoms are typical for a period of up to 10 days after administration of the drug. This course of the post-vaccination period is considered natural.

Possible complications from vaccination include:

• all kinds of allergic reactions that can be prevented by taking antihistamines before and after vaccination;
• febrile convulsions in children due to very high fever, which can also be stopped by taking paracetamol when the temperature begins to rise;
• In one case in a million, severe damage to the nervous system occurs.

It is important to understand that all complications that develop as a result of vaccination are much weaker than those that may arise during transmission of the disease.

Possible body reactions to measles vaccine

Any immunobiological anti-measles drug, whether imported or domestically produced, contains weakened live viruses .

Therefore, the measles vaccine is weakly reactogenic and, as a rule, is not accompanied by any pathological manifestations. Most vaccinated children do not experience post-vaccination reactions.

Quite rare possible post-vaccination reactions can manifest themselves in the form of an increase in temperature no higher than 38 C or mild malaise for 2 or 3 days.

Babies prone to allergies may experience minor skin rashes on the 4th day after vaccination that last up to 2 weeks. The occurrence of serious complications is rare.

Is it possible to get sick after vaccination?

Basically, although the vaccine contains live viruses, they are so weakened that they are not capable of causing a full-blown disease. Often, vaccination can cause some kind of measles in a very weak form; such reactions occur easily and go away on their own, a week after the injection. A person in this state is not contagious to others.

However, sometimes a vaccine does not cause the formation of immunity against the disease, and a person can become fully ill with measles while being vaccinated. This phenomenon in medicine is called failure of vaccination immunity and can be observed in a small percentage of all vaccinated people.

Which vaccine is better

With different compositions of domestic and foreign vaccines, they all demonstrate high effectiveness in combating measles. There are 2 significant differences between these vaccinations. Firstly, domestic vaccines are prepared on the basis of quail eggs, while foreign analogues are made on the basis of chicken egg white. If you are allergic to any of these components, you should choose a different vaccine.

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Secondly, imported vaccines have a multicomponent composition and protect against three infectious diseases at once - measles, mumps and rubella, which is very convenient in terms of vaccination. When choosing domestic vaccines, vaccinations will need to be done 2-3 times in each period of life. But at a local clinic you can only get a domestic vaccine for free, so you need to approach vaccination consciously, weighing the pros and cons.

List of combination vaccines

Typically, combination vaccines are used to immunize children against measles, which additionally protect against mumps and rubella. Of the imported vaccinations, Priorix and MMR-II are registered in Russia. The domestic polyvalent drug is called Live cultural mumps-measles vaccine.

MMR-II

MMR-II is produced by the American pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). The vaccine contains live attenuated mumps, measles and rubella viruses grown in chicken embryo cell culture. The preparation contains sucrose, fetal calf serum, human albumin and neomycin as excipients.

Specific immunity after an MMR-II injection is developed within 14 days. A person becomes protected for a period of more than 11 years. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly or deeply subcutaneously. The vaccine is well tolerated.

MMR-II vaccine

After the injection, sensitive individuals may experience a slight increase in body temperature, signs of a cold, and enlarged lymph nodes. After a few days, the unpleasant symptoms go away on their own.

Complications such as fever, angioedema, anaphylaxis, and abscess are extremely rare. Such side effects are usually observed when the rules of asepsis and antisepsis are not followed during manipulation, or individual intolerance to individual components of MMR-II.

Priorix

Priorix is ​​a Belgian vaccine produced by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals. The drug contains live inactivated mumps, measles and rubella viruses. In addition, the vaccine contains the following excipients: neomycin sulfate, mannitol, lactose, amino acids and sorbitol.

The vaccine is produced in the form of a lyophilisate. A syringe with a solvent is supplied with the bottle of powder. The injection is given subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Priorix is ​​used to immunize children from 12 months of age.

In the instructions, the manufacturer indicates that the vaccine can cause the following adverse reactions:

• lymphadenopathy;
• otitis media;
• diarrhea;
• enlargement of the parotid glands;
• nausea and vomiting;
• anorexia;
• nervousness;
• unusual crying;
• convulsions;
• allergic manifestations;
• conjunctivitis;
• bronchitis.

According to reviews from pediatricians and parents, the Belgian vaccine is well tolerated and causes virtually no changes in well-being. The first few days, some people experience only mild hyperthermia, drowsiness and loss of appetite.

Live cultured mumps-measles vaccine

Live cultural mumps-measles vaccine is produced by the Moscow company Microgen. The drug is produced in the form of a dry powdery substance and is supplied with an ampoule with an injection solution. The vaccine contains weakened pathogens of measles, mumps and rubella.

Additional components include LS-18, gelatin and gentamicin sulfate. Viruses are obtained by artificially growing them in cell culture of quail embryos. Specific immunity is formed within 4-6 weeks after vaccination.

Live cultured mumps-measles vaccine

The vaccine is suitable for children over 12 months of age. The injection is placed under the shoulder blade or in the shoulder area subcutaneously. On the fifth day after the manipulation, minor hyperthermia, rhinitis, weakness, headache, and loss of appetite are allowed.

Local manifestations such as redness, swelling, and pain in the injection area also often occur. Highly sensitive individuals may experience allergic reactions such as urticaria, anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson and Lyell syndromes, and Quincke's edema. Complications included cases of serous meningitis, measles encephalitis, and anorexia.

All vaccines have the same principle of action and are highly effective.

How many measles vaccinations are needed?

The number of measles vaccinations over a lifetime is determined by the age at which a person first received the vaccine. When vaccination begins at 9 months, a person will be forced to undergo 4-5 vaccine injections in life: at 9 months, at 15 months, at 6 years, at 16 years and at 30. With the initial vaccination per year, the number of subsequent injections is reduced by 1.

If there is no vaccination at the age of one, you should try to get the first vaccination as early as possible - at 2-4 years, and the next one should be done according to plan at the age of six on the eve of school. During the primary vaccination of a person over 6 years of age, he is administered a double dose of the drug with an interval of 1-6 months.

What is the best vaccination for a child?

Due to the availability of a large selection of measles vaccines, caring parents have a question about which drug to give preference to: Priorix, MMR-II, Live culture mumps-measles vaccine, LCV or Ruvax. Doctors say that it is better to prevent infectious viral diseases with polyvalent agents.

The advantages of polyvalent drugs are:

• protection against several pathologies at once;
• better tolerability compared to single-component vaccinations;
• reducing stress for the child by reducing doctor visits and minimizing punctures;
• saving parents time (three injections at 1, 6 and 15 years are enough for reliable protection against infection).

As part of routine immunoprophylaxis, LIV and live cultured mumps-measles vaccine are administered in local clinics free of charge.

If you choose from foreign analogues, pediatricians recommend vaccination with the Belgian vaccine Priorix. This vaccine has a relatively low reactogenicity and rarely causes a change in the child’s well-being. Many parents also prefer this drug over all available imported polyvalent drugs.

Doctors advise using monovaccines in cases where a child has an intolerance to mumps and rubella components, as well as if prophylaxis against infection with measles and mumps viruses has already been carried out. Of the foreign-made single-drug products, it is better to give preference to Ruvax.