BabyJabs is a complete and comprehensive children’s immunisation service
enabling you to make an informed choice of vaccines for you child.

Single measles immunisation - further information

The Vaccines

Rouvax contains the Schwarz strain of measles vaccine and is manufactured by Aventis Pasteur MSD in France

Attenuvax contains the Enders' attenuated Edmonston strain of measles vaccine and is manufactured by Merck in the USA.

Legal status

All are prescription only unlicensed medicines in the UK

Effectiveness

All vaccines provides effective long-term immunity in over 90% of children immunised They are all at least as effective as the measles component of the MMR.

Vaccination age

The vaccination can be given at any time from 12 months. However, maximum effectiveness may not be reached before 15 months of age. It is strongly recommended that the measles vaccine is given first.

Side effects

Your child has a 1 in 10 chance of developing symptoms of a mild measles attack, usually occurring after about 7 days and lasting for 2-3 days. Typical symptoms include a high temperature, runny nose, sticky eyes and possibly a rash and/or vomiting. Treat this as you would any 'flu like illness.

There is a 1 in 2,000 chance of a febrile convulsion, that is a fit as a result of a high fever. To minimise the risk of this happening, treat any high temperature with paracetamol.

There is a 1 in 20,000 chance of your child temporarily developing idiopathic thrombocytopaenia purpura (ITP). This is a clotting disorder of the blood, that will cause a bruise-like rash. It usually goes away on its own and is rarely serious.

Though this Is not proven, there may be around 1 in a million chance of your child developing encephalitis. This is a serious condition with a 15% chance of death. However, it should be noted that the risk of developing encephalitis after measles is around 1 in 5,000. This means that encephalitis is around 200 times more likely with measles that following measles immunisation.

There is a theoretical possibility that the single measles vaccine could trigger autism and bowel disease in extremely susceptible children. All side-effects of the single measles vaccine occur at least as commonly with the MMR vaccine.

Please note that if supply problems occur we may obtain supplies of different vaccines than the ones listed. We will only offer you alternative vaccines if we are completely confident of their safety and efficacy.