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Immunisation: MeaslesDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. Key points to remember about measles immunisation
 Back to TopWhat is measles?Measles is a potentially serious disease caused by a virus. It's very easily spread from one person to another. It is also known by the name morbilli or rubeola.Measles is the most common vaccine-preventable cause of death among children throughout the world. For more information about the disease, see Measles on this website. Back to TopHow serious is measles?In thirty percent of reported cases of measles, people experience one or more complications. These include:
One in 1000 people with measles develop inflammation of the brain (encephalitis ) - 15 percent of these people die and approximately one third are left with permanent brain damage. One in 100,000 people who have had measles will, years later, develop a serious brain inflammation called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). This serious complication always results in death. Death occurs in about one to two out of 1,000 reported cases of measles overall in western countries. Back to TopHow common is measles?Before a measles vaccine was developed, about 90 percent of the whole population would have had measles by the age of 20.Universal vaccination was introduced in 1969 into New Zealand. Despite this, New Zealand had a large measles epidemic in 1991 with an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 cases and seven deaths. The most recent epidemic was in 1997 with 2169 cases notified and no deaths. An immunisation campaign limited the extent of this epidemic. There have been no further measles epidemics since 1997, however individual cases and clusters of infection continue to occur. In countries which have consistently high immunisation coverage, measles has been eliminated from the population. Back to TopHow do you catch measles?Measles is very easy to catch. It's spread through the air by infectious droplets through coughing and sneezing. Measles can also be spread by direct contact with secretions from the nose or throat of a person infected with measles, and by touching things or surfaces contaminated by these secretions.It usually takes 10 – 12 days from contact with someone with measles to the first symptom appearing but it can take up to 18 days. This is called the incubation period. Back to TopWho is most at risk from measles?
Back to TopHow do you prevent measles?Immunisation given on time is the only way to prevent measles. Two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is 99 percent effective in preventing measles.MMR vaccine, if given within 72 hours of exposure to measles virus, may prevent the disease developing, or make it more mild, in those who haven't been immunised and are susceptible to the disease. During a measles outbreak babies as young as six months of age can be immunised on the advice of a Medical Officer of Health. If there is a measles outbreak, the following children are advised NOT to attend school or early childhood services until cleared to do so:
Back to TopWhich vaccines protect against measles?The combined measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) is the only available vaccine to prevent measles in New Zealand. Back to TopHow effective is the vaccine against measles?Approximately 90 to 95 percent of those given one dose of MMR are protected. Those who do not develop immunity after the first MMR dose, almost always do so after the second dose. Back to TopWho should have the vaccine?Two doses of the MMR vaccine are usually given, one dose at 15 months of age and a second at four years of age.During a measles outbreak babies as young as six months of age can be immunised on the advice of a Medical Officer of Health. These babies will still need MMR at 15 months and four years of age because the vaccine tends not to work as well in young infants. Some adults should also have the MMR vaccine:
The MMR vaccine CAN be given to people with an allergy to egg. Back to TopWho should not have the vaccine?The following people should not have the MMR vaccine:
Pregnant women
Receiving the MMR vaccine is not recommended in pregnancy, and women of child bearing age are advised to avoid pregnancy for one month following the MMR vaccine. This is based on a theoretical risk of infection in the fetus which applies to receiving any live vaccine. However, based on cases of reported vaccination in pregnant women, there is no evidence that the mother or baby are harmed by this vaccine if given during pregnancy. If this situation arises, discuss it further with your doctor or the 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) phone line. Those known to be immune suppressed ...
... for example, people with some types of cancer or on some treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Babies under 12 months of age ...
... (the vaccine tends not to work as well in young infants), except in a measles outbreak and on advice of a Medical Officer of Health. MMR should be delayed in people suffering from a sudden severe illness with high fever (over 38 degrees Celsius). The presence of a minor infection is not a reason to delay vaccination.
Back to TopWho should seek more advice before having the vaccine?
Back to TopDo you need all the doses?Yes, five to ten percent of those vaccinated may not be protected after one dose, so it's recommended that your child has two doses after the age of 12 months (at least one month apart). Back to TopHow safe is the vaccine?The risk of MMR vaccine causing serious harm is extremely small. MMR vaccine is considerably safer than getting measles (or mumps and rubella). See the following comparison.Effects of the disease:
Back to TopCan the MMR vaccine cause measles?No. It can cause a very mild, non-infectious rash about five to 12 days after vaccination. Back to TopCan the MMR vaccine cause autism? Extensive research shows there is no evidence that the MMR vaccine causes autism, Crohn’s disease or ADHD.For more information about this, see the following fact sheet, written for parents and caregivers:
Back to TopDoes the MMR vaccine contain thiomersal (or mercury)?No. Back to TopWhere to go for more informationOn this websiteMeasles Immunisation Advisory Centre www.immune.org.nz
For questions on immunisation, vaccination-preventable diseases or a specific vaccine, you can contact the Immunisation Advisory Centre. Call free on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466863), weekdays 9am-4.30 pm Email: imac@auckland.ac.nz Ministry of Health www.moh.govt.nz
The immunisation section of the Ministry of Health website includes a Measles section which provides access to the latest measles updates and alerts, and also:
World Health Organisation (WHO) National Measles Laboratory, New Zealand www.cdhb.govt.nz/measles In March 2005 Canterbury Health Laboratories was designated the NZ National Measles Laboratory. This was in response to a request from the Ministry of Health for New Zealand's active participation in WHO's global measles programme. Back to TopAcknowledgements  This fact sheet was produced in collaboration with IMAC (Immunisation Advisory Centre) and has been adapted from the IMAC fact sheet for parents and caregivers (May 2010), at right. Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 28/06/2011
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012
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