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Measles Vaccination: Protection, Schedule and Side Effects

The measles vaccination provides reliable protection against measles, a highly contagious viral disease. A two-dose schedule is recommended for children worldwide.

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Things worth knowing about "Measles Vaccination"

The measles vaccination provides reliable protection against measles, a highly contagious viral disease. A two-dose schedule is recommended for children worldwide.

What Is the Measles Vaccination?

The measles vaccination is a protective immunization against measles, a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus, an RNA virus of the genus Morbillivirus. The vaccine is considered one of the most effective interventions in modern medicine and has saved millions of lives globally. In Germany, measles vaccination has been legally required for certain groups since 2020 under the Measles Protection Act (Masernschutzgesetz).

Mechanism of Action

The measles vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine, meaning it contains weakened but living measles viruses. These trigger an immune response in the body without causing actual disease. The immune system produces specific antibodies and develops immunological memory, which effectively protects the body upon future exposure to the real virus.

The measles vaccine is commonly administered as a combination vaccine that simultaneously protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). A quadrivalent combination that also covers varicella (MMRV) is also available.

Vaccination Recommendations and Schedule

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute recommends the following vaccination schedule:

First dose: At 11 to 14 months of age
Second dose: At 15 to 23 months of age (minimum interval from the first dose: 4 weeks)

Both doses are required to achieve complete and long-lasting protection. After two doses, the protection rate exceeds 97%.

Catch-Up Vaccination for Adults

Adults born after 1970 who have received only one dose or no dose at all should receive a catch-up vaccination. In Germany, individuals working in certain facilities, such as community or medical institutions, are subject to a legal vaccination obligation under the Measles Protection Act since 2020.

Side Effects

The measles vaccination is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects are usually mild and temporary:

Local reactions: Redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site
General reactions: Mild fever, fatigue, headache
Vaccine-associated rash: In approximately 5% of vaccinated individuals, a mild measles-like rash and low-grade fever may occur 7 to 14 days after vaccination. This is not contagious.
Rare side effects: In very rare cases, a febrile seizure reaction may occur.

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are extremely rare. The risk of serious harm from the vaccine is negligible compared to the risks associated with an actual measles infection.

Contraindications

Because it is a live vaccine, the measles vaccination must not be administered to:

Individuals with a severe congenital or acquired immunodeficiency
Pregnant women (pregnancy should be avoided for at least 4 weeks after vaccination)
Individuals with known severe hypersensitivity to vaccine components

Importance for Public Health

Measles is not a harmless childhood illness. Complications such as middle ear infections, pneumonia, or the rare but fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can occur. To achieve so-called herd immunity and eliminate measles entirely, a vaccination coverage of at least 95% of the population is required. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the global elimination of measles as a key public health goal.

References

Robert Koch Institute (RKI): Recommendations of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) on measles vaccination. www.rki.de (as of 2024)
World Health Organization (WHO): Measles vaccines - WHO position paper. Weekly Epidemiological Record, 2017; 92(17):205-227.
Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI): Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccines. Information on approved vaccines in Germany. www.pei.de (as of 2024)

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