Adverse reactions to measles vaccine

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.