Contraindications for measles vaccine, adverse events and how to manage them
Children who develop a severe allergic reaction should be referred immediately to a health facility, and should not be given measles vaccine again.
In around 20% of children, a mild fever lasting one to three days may occur approximately one week after immunization. A few children (less than 5%) develop a mild rash. Injection-site abscess or severe allergic reactions including rash, breathing difficulty and fainting occur very rarely.
Management of adverse events following immunization with measles vaccine
| Adverse event | Management | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Low-grade fever Slight rash | Give paracetamol syrup (5 ml) up to 4 doses | Usually lasts 1 to 3 days |
| Abscess at injection site | Amoxicillin syrup orally three times daily | Refer urgently to a higher health facility |
| Severe rash, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness | Do not give measles vaccine again | Refer the child to a higher health facility immediately |
Summary of measles vaccine immunization characteristics
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Type of vaccine | Live-attenuated antiviral vaccine |
| Number of doses | One in routine EPI schedule, plus one in supplementary campaigns |
| Schedule | At 9 months in the EPI; after 12 months in campaigns |
| Additional early dose | At 6 months in some circumstances |
| Contraindications | Severe allergic reaction to previous dose |
| Adverse events | Fever, rash and (rarely) severe allergic reaction or abscess |
| Special precautions | None |
| Dosage | 0.5 ml |
| Injection site | Outer upper arm |
| Injection type | Subcutaneous |
| Storage | Store between +2°C and +8°C (Note: the vaccine powder may be frozen for long-term storage, but not the diluent or the reconstituted vaccine) |
Last modified: Thursday, 29 May 2014, 11:12 AM