How often must I be vaccinated?
A total of two vaccinations against measles are required. The first vaccination is a basic immunization, after which protection of 94 to 95% is already achieved. This vaccination is recommended between the 11th and 14th month of life, but it can also be administered to older children or adults without any problems.
With the second vaccination the secondary response is induced, i.e. the immune response is accelerated and strengthened. Only very small amounts of vaccine are required for this, as the body has already produced memory cells after the first vaccination. After the second vaccination there is a vaccination protection of over 99%.
Although there is a relatively high level of protection after the first vaccination, the booster is highly recommended and can also be carried out later if the date for the booster was missed. An interval of four weeks should be kept between the first and second vaccination. This interval should not be less than four weeks because the measles vaccination is a live vaccination.
This means that live, attenuated pathogens are injected into the body and trigger the immune response. To prevent too many viruses from entering the body at too short intervals, the vaccination interval should be observed. More than these four weeks is not necessary, on the contrary. After the second vaccination there is lifelong immunity against the measles virus.
Adverse drug reaction/side effects
With the measles vaccination, as with all vaccinations, various side effects can occur. Typical side effects of the measles vaccination are reddening in the area of the injection site, which usually disappears by itself after a few days. In addition, swelling, overheating and a slight burning sensation in the area of the injection site may occur in the first few days after vaccination.
As the measles vaccination is, as already mentioned, an active vaccination, typical signs of infection may appear within the first week after administration of the vaccine. Mild discomfort, headache and fever should not be misinterpreted as a warning signal. This is a normal reaction of the organism, which begins with the intentional production of antibodies.
Occasionally (in about five out of every hundred cases), rashes, so-called vaccine measles, can be observed about one week after administration of the vaccine.About one in every 100 vaccinated persons suffers from irritation of the middle ear, inflammation-related complaints of the respiratory tract and/or uncomplicated gastrointestinal complaints. In a few cases the occurrence of seizures (so-called febrile convulsions) has been observed after measles vaccination. Serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, are extremely rare.
In individual cases (approximately one in 1,000,000 cases), inflammatory processes in the brain, meninges, bone marrow or nervous system can occur after measles vaccination. Paralysis can be the result in these cases. In this context, however, it should be noted that these complications occur much more frequently (1:1000) in the case of measles.
Approximately one in 100 vaccinated persons shows irritation of the middle ear, inflammation-related complaints of the respiratory tract and/or gastrointestinal complaints without complications. In a few cases the occurrence of seizures (so-called febrile convulsions) has been observed after measles vaccination. Serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, are extremely rare.
In individual cases (approximately one in 1,000,000 cases), inflammatory processes in the brain, meninges, bone marrow or nervous system can occur after measles vaccination. Paralysis can be the result in these cases. In this context, however, it should be noted that these complications occur much more frequently (1:1000) in the case of measles.
After the measles vaccination, a slight fever can occur, as after all other vaccinations. This should not be considered an undesirable side effect, but rather a good sign that the vaccination has worked. When antigens are supplied, such as the attenuated viruses in MMR vaccination, the body reacts with an immune response.
This means that antibodies are formed which render the viruses harmless in the event of a subsequent infection immediately after they enter the body. The defence cells involved in the immune response release so-called cytokines on contact with the viruses. These cytokines are defence substances that put the body on alert in the event of an infection, e.g. by raising the body’s core temperature to combat the pathogen. It is precisely this process that leads to the slight temperature increases after vaccination. If the fever exceeds 39°C (measured rectally), which cannot be lowered permanently even with antipyretic agents (such as paracetamol suppositories every 4-6 hours), a visit to the pediatrician or a pediatric outpatient clinic is recommended.
