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# Measles vaccine

Live attenuated measles virus, given as MMR (triple viral, with mumps and rubella) or MR. Two doses protect almost everyone.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Viral vaccines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/viral-vaccines/)
- Target: Measles virus haemagglutinin (H protein)
- ATC code: J07BD
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

Also called: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella; triple viral), MR (measles-rubella), MMRV (with varicella)

◆**Measles virus haemagglutinin (H protein)**Measles vaccine

ⓘ The figure shows the measles virus H protein, which binds the cell receptor; the live vaccine strain induces neutralising antibodies against H and the fusion protein F.

**Target in 3D:** Measles virus haemagglutinin (H protein). PDB structure 2ZB5 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/2ZB5) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

The vaccine virus replicates weakly after injection and induces antibodies and cellular immunity similar to natural infection, without the disease. Measles has a single antigenic type, so one vaccine protects against all circulating strains. Most children seroconvert after the first dose and nearly all after the second; the second dose catches those who did not respond to the first.

- Attenuated measles virus is injected and replicates weakly
- Antibodies form against the H and F proteins
- Cellular immunity and memory develop as in natural infection
- The second dose covers children who did not respond to the first

## Pharmacokinetics

**Onset and duration**
About 95% seroconvert after the first dose and more than 99% after two

## Indications

- Routine childhood prevention of measles as MMR (triple viral)
- Colombia (MinSalud, measles alert): children aged 1 to 10 should have two doses of triple viral, with the second at 18 months; health and tourism workers and international travellers check their status

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Fever after the dose
- Transient rash
- Arthralgia, mainly in adult women (rubella component)

### Serious (rare, important)

- Febrile seizures (rare)
- Thrombocytopenia (rare)
- Anaphylaxis (very rare)

## Contraindications

- Pregnancy
- Severe immunosuppression, including high-dose systemic corticosteroids for two weeks or more
- Severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or a component (gelatin, neomycin)

## Key interactions

**Antibody-containing blood products (immunoglobulins, transfusions)**
Antibodies neutralise the vaccine virus: vaccination is delayed for months after them

**Tuberculin skin test**
The vaccine can blunt the reaction: the test is done the same day or delayed after vaccination

**Yellow fever vaccine**
Given together, responses to some antigens are lower; when possible they are separated by one month

## What is monitored

- Two documented doses
- Fever and rash after the dose; history of thrombocytopenia

## Administration and safety

- Lyophilised: reconstitute only with the diluent supplied
- Subcutaneous route
- Do not confuse MMR (triple viral) with MR (measles-rubella) or MMRV: check the vial
- Record the batch and product

## Nursing care

- Ask about pregnancy, immunosuppression and recent immunoglobulins or transfusions
- Warn the family about possible fever and rash after the dose
- Advise women to avoid pregnancy for four weeks after vaccination
- Egg allergy is not a reason to withhold it

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Contraindicated in pregnancy, and pregnancy is avoided for four weeks after vaccination; inadvertent vaccination is not a reason to end a pregnancy.

## Memory aid

"MMR = My Most Reliable live shot": two doses, live, never in pregnancy or severe immunosuppression. Egg allergy does not stop it.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why is a second dose of MMR given?

A small proportion of children do not respond to the first dose; the second dose protects almost all of them.

## Why is MMR delayed after immunoglobulin or a transfusion?

The passive antibodies neutralise the live vaccine virus and prevent a response.

## Is egg allergy a contraindication to MMR?

No: it can be given without skin testing or special protocols.

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## Related drugs

- [Mumps vaccine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/mumps-vaccine/)
- [Rubella vaccine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/rubella-vaccine/)
- [Varicella vaccine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/varicella-vaccine/)

[← Back to the class: Viral vaccines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/viral-vaccines/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Chapter 13: Measles | Pink Book | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-13-measles.html) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021); [Lineamiento Técnico y Operativo de la Primera Jornada Nacional de Vacunación](https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/Lists/BibliotecaDigital/RIDE/VS/PP/PAI/lineamientos-t%C3%A9cnicos-primera-jornada-nacional-vacunaci%C3%B3n-2026.pdf) (Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social (Colombia), 2026); [Yellow Fever | CDC Yellow Book™](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-associated-infections-diseases/yellow-fever.html) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=J07B&showdescription=no) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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