Measles Vaccines 2024
Measles vaccination programs began in the United States in 1963 and continue in every state and territory in 2024. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the measles vaccination schedules for children and adults and issued an alert for international travelers visiting measles outbreak areas in 2024.
On September 24, 2024, the CDC confirmed if you are not sure if you or your travel companions are fully protected against measles, schedule an appointment to see your clinician at least six weeks before traveling so that you have enough time to get vaccinated with a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Recently, the CDC published updated children's vaccination rates. The CDC's Measles Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Prevention Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity Call in 2023 included these presentations.
Health Canada says if you're planning international travel in 2024, you may need an additional (booster) dose of a measles-containing vaccine before departing abroad. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) endorses various measles vaccines, including, but not limited to, M-M-RVaxPro and Priorix. The United Kingdom offers MMR vaccines to young children as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
Measles Undervaccinations
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that about 81% of children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday in 2021, the lowest rate since 2008. Low-income countries, where the risk of death from measles is highest, continue to have the lowest vaccination rates, at only 66%. In the U.S., the CDC reported in 2023 that over 90% of children received MMR vaccination. However, vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–2020 school year to 93.1% in the 2022–2023 school year.
Measles Vaccines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the intramuscular route of administration for M-M-R®II and ProQuad® vaccines on March 6, 2023. In addition, the FDA approved the Priorix vaccine to prevent MMR in individuals one year and older. The U.S. CDC stated on November 18, 2022, that the Priorx and M-M-R II® vaccines are considered fully interchangeable, including for all off-label recommended uses. In addition, the CDC reported on January 13, 2023, that national 2-dose MMR coverage was 93.5% (range = 78% [Alaska] to 98% [New York]) during the 2020–21 school year.
Merck & Co. M-M-R®II, a Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live (M-M-R II, is approved by the U.S. FDA for use in people 12 months and older. And Proquad® is approved for children ages 1 through 12 who may also get the MMR and Varicella Virus vaccines. On August 1, 2023, Merck reported measles vaccine sales of $582 million were relatively flat compared with the prior year.
Priorix - Is licensed in the USA and over 100 countries for use in individuals aged 9 or 12 months, according to a 1- or 2-dose schedule, depending on the country. Priorix protects people against MMR. The CDC's MMR Vaccine Work Group presented: Overview of Measles by Ms. Lynn Bahta and Overview of GSK's Priorix MMR Vaccine by Remon Abu-Elyazeed, MD, Ph.D., U.S. Vaccines Medical and Clinical Affairs.
Tresivac - This vaccine is available in India to prevent MMR. Serum Institute of India Ltd is the manufacturer.
Shanghai Institute of Biological Products released about 42 million MMR doses in China in 2020.
Bio-MMR vaccine is offered in Brazil.
India MMR vaccine is offered to children.
MeasBio® (Biovac) in South Africa.
Indian Immunologicals Limited announced the approval from the Drugs Controller General of India to manufacture the Mabella Live Attenuated Measles-Rubella Vaccine for children. This measles vaccine was developed in collaboration with Polyvac Institute of Vietnam.
Measles Vaccines in Europe
Over the years, the European Union has authorized several monovalent vaccines for measles, including Amunovax, Priorix, Priorix Tetra, Provarivax, R.O.R. Vax, Rouvax, Trivivac, Varilrix, and Varivax.
Measles Vaccine Immunity
The U.S. CDC says two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles, and people who receive MMR vaccination according to the vaccination schedule are usually considered protected for life against measles. A study published in 2021 found within 10–15 years, the proportion of individuals with detectable anti-measles IgG in two groups: those vaccinated with two doses of the anti-MMR vaccine and those with a self-reported history of measles infection. The proportion was higher among vaccinated individuals (20%; GMT = 92.2) than among those with a self-reported history of measles (6%; GMT = 213.3; p < .0001).
Measles Vaccine Price
According to the U.S. CDC, measles vaccine prices range from $87.31 to $250.02 as of 2024. Additional measles vaccine prices and discount information are posted at InstantRx™.
Measles Vaccine Microarray Patch Delivery
Vaxxas published positive results in November 2023 from a human clinical trial involving its technology that enables (measles) vaccines to be applied to the skin using a small microarray patch instead of a traditional needle and syringe.
Measles Outbreaks 2024
Measles outbreak news is updated as of September 2024.
