Measles

Background of Illness

Measles is caused by a virus and is characterized by temperature, runny eyes, cough and feeling ill. The rash is red and starts on the head down to the rest of the body, white spots may appear inside the cheek a few days before the rash appears. It was a major cause of illness before the 1968 when the vaccine was introduced. The main complications of measles are ear infection, pneumonia, convulsions and encephalitis. In developing worlds it is a major cause of death in children.

Vaccine Facts

The measles vaccine was introduced in 1968 and on its introduction there was marked reduction of a number of cases in England and Wales. MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988. It is a live vaccine given at the age of 13 months and then before school. Two injections will give life long immunity. The vaccine can be given to children with egg allergy as the anaphylactic reaction is not due to the egg antigen, but due to the other complements of the vaccine.

Vaccine contraindication's

Previous anaphylactic reactions, severely immuno suppressed children, other side effects are temperature, rash, cough and cold symptoms which comes about 6-11 days after vaccination and disappear within 2-3 days.

The suppliers of the vaccine are Sanofi Pasteur and Merck in America.