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Adverse reactions to measles vaccine
Insights
Adverse reactions to measles vaccine were studied in children. Measles vaccination was associated with a higher incidence of rash and fever compared to unvaccinated children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles vaccination is a critical public health intervention.
- Understanding vaccine safety and adverse events is essential for maintaining public trust and vaccine uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify adverse reactions following measles vaccination in a defined pediatric population.
- To compare the incidence of specific symptoms between vaccinated and unvaccinated children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of adverse reactions reported by parents of children vaccinated between September 1981 and May 1983.
- A case-control study initiated in September 1982, matching vaccinated children with unvaccinated controls of the same age and sex.
Main Results:
- The most frequently reported parental concerns included cough (18%), rash (12%), and fever (9%).
- The case-control study found statistically significant differences for rash and fever between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
- No statistically significant differences were observed for other reported symptoms like cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis.
Conclusions:
- Measles vaccination appears to be associated with an increased risk of transient, non-severe adverse events such as rash and fever.
- The study identified specific symptoms that warrant monitoring post-vaccination.
- Two cases of febrile convulsions with full recovery were noted in vaccinated children during the study period.
Abstract:
Adverse reactions to measles vaccine observed in children vaccinated between September, 1981 and May, 1983 in a Socio Sanitary Local Unit of Lombardy were studied. The adverse reactions more frequently reported by the parents were cough (18%), rash (12%), fever (9%), coryza (6%) and conjunctivitis (6%). Beginning September, 1982 a case-control study was started matching each vaccine with an unvaccinated child of the same age and sex. Statistically significant differences between vaccinated and controls have been observed only for rash and fever but not for the other symptoms. During the study febrile convulsions with spontaneous recovery and without sequelae have been observed in two vaccinated children.