measles virus vaccine Information - Drugs and Treatments

What is measles virus vaccine?

Measles is a serious disease caused by a virus. It is spread from person to person through the air.

Measles virus can cause minor symptoms such as skin rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, or mild fever. It can also cause more serious symptoms such as ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, permanent brain damage, or death.

The measles virus vaccine is a live-virus vaccine used to help prevent this disease in children and adults.

This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Measles virus vaccine is for use in adults and children who are at least 12 months old, and in adults who have never received the vaccine or had the diseases.

Like any vaccine, the measles virus vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking measles virus vaccine?

You should not receive this vaccine

if you are allergic to

gelatin;
neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab); or
if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing the measles virus.

You should also not receive this vaccine

if you have

severe immune suppression caused by certain medications, or by receiving chemotherapy or radiation;
a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments;
leukemia, lymphoma, or any cancer that affects the bone marrow or lymph nodes; or
if you are pregnant.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if you have:

allergy to eggs;
thrombocytopenia purpura (easy bruising or bleeding);
active and untreated tuberculosis infection;
a history of head or brain injury;
a personal or family history of seizures; or
if you have received an immune globulin or other blood product within the past 3 months.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold or low fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

You should not receive a measles virus vaccine if you are pregnant.

Wait until after your child is born to receive the vaccine.

Avoid becoming pregnant for at least 3 months after receiving a measles virus vaccine.

Do not receive this vaccine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take measles virus vaccine?

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) under your skin. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

The measles vaccine is usually given to a child who is 12 to 15 month old. A measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine should then be given before the child starts elementary school.

Children younger than 12 months old may be vaccinated against measles in an outbreak situation. If the child receives the first measles virus vaccine before the age of 12 months, a booster dose should be given between 12 and 15 months of age.

Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. In addition to the measles virus vaccine, you may also need to receive a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring if you have a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

This vaccine can cause false results on a skin test for tuberculosis. For a few weeks after vaccination, tell any doctor who treats you that you have received the measles virus vaccine.

What happens if I miss a dose of measles virus vaccine?

Contact your doctor if you will miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Be sure you receive all recommended doses of this vaccine. If you do not receive the full series of vaccines, you may not be fully protected against the disease.

Where can I get more information about measles virus vaccine?

Your pharmacist has information about measles virus vaccine written for health professionals that you may read.

What is the most important information I should know about measles virus vaccine?

You should not receive this vaccine

if you are allergic to

gelatin or neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), or if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing the measles virus.

You should also not receive this vaccine

if you have

a weak immune system, or if you have leukemia, lymphoma, bone marrow cancer, or if you are pregnant.

You should not receive a measles virus vaccine if you are pregnant.

Wait until after your child is born to receive the vaccine.

Avoid becoming pregnant for at least 3 months after receiving a measles virus vaccine.

Do not receive this vaccine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if you are allergic to eggs, or if you have thrombocytopenia purpura, untreated tuberculosis, a history of seizures or head injury, or if you have received an immune globulin or other blood product within the past 3 months.

The measles vaccine is usually given to a child who is 12 to 15 month old. A measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine should then be given before the child starts elementary school.

Be sure you receive all recommended doses of this vaccine. If you do not receive the full series of vaccines, you may not be fully protected against the disease.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with measles is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.



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measles virus vaccine

Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources

What is measles virus vaccine?