Attenuated Measles-Virus Vaccine

Attenuated measles-virus vaccine and gamma globulin were administered to a group of children, while another group of randomly selected controls received only gamma globulin. Six of 8 nonimmune vaccinees, and 3 of 9 controls developed febrile episodes of 38.1° C. (100.6° F.) or greater from 4 to 14 days after inoculation. The febrile episodes experienced by the vaccinees were probably due both to vaccine reactions and to intercurrent infections, since the controls tended to develop fewer and milder febrile episodes. None of the vaccinees developed either Koplik spots or a rash. Thirteen of 14 nonimmune vaccinees developed measles hemagglutination inhibition antibody after vaccination. During an outbreak, all of 12 controls and only one of 10 vaccinees developed measles, indicating that the vaccination had rendered significant protection.