Measles Vaccines

Measles and Rubella Diagnostic and Classification Challenges in Near- and Post-Elimination Countries

“…Additional serologic testing may provide supportive information. Serum IgM is generally present for 6–8 weeks after measles infection; therefore, repeating serum IgM may be an option if the patient is able to provide an additional blood specimen [ 21 ]. If the initial test was performed with an Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) using an indirect format, the use of an IgM capture EIA to retest the acute specimen, or the testing of the convalescent specimen, may be beneficial given the generally higher sensitivity and specificity of capture tests compared to indirect tests [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Patients who receive live attenuated measles-containing vaccine may go on to develop self-limited fever and rash approximately 7–10 days after vaccination, which can be clinically indistinguishable from wild-type measles infection in some cases [ 21 , 29 ]. The presence of respiratory symptoms cannot rule out vaccine reaction, as it may be due to mild respiratory symptoms related to the vaccine reaction itself, or due to concurrent respiratory symptoms related to other infections that commonly occur in children at the age they generally receive MMR vaccination.…”

“…The classification of vaccine failure cases relies largely on the measurement of IgG avidity. The presence of IgG at the time of rash onset or prior to rash onset is evidence of pre-existing immunity, and therefore is suggestive of SVF in vaccinated individuals (i.e., it suggests against primary vaccine failure and lack of prior seroconversion) [ 21 ]. However, measles is often not recognized until later in the disease course, and the presence of IgG later after rash onset can be characteristic of a primary or secondary immune response.…”

A World without Measles and Rubella: Addressing the Challenge of Vaccine Hesitancy

“…Before the development and widespread availability of vaccines in the late 20th century, measles and rubella plagued humanity for thousands of years, with no effective tools to prevent their consequences [ 4 , 5 ]. Measles disease was first described in the 7th century, although the infectious pathogen would not be identified until the early 20th century [ 5 ].…”

“…Before the development and widespread availability of vaccines in the late 20th century, measles and rubella plagued humanity for thousands of years, with no effective tools to prevent their consequences [ 4 , 5 ]. Measles disease was first described in the 7th century, although the infectious pathogen would not be identified until the early 20th century [ 5 ]. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that classically begins with a prodrome of fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and spots on the buccal mucosa (Koplik spots), followed by a maculopapular rash which starts on the head and neck and spreads to the rest of the body [ 6 ].…”