Effect of monovalent measles and trivalent measles-mumps-rubella vaccines at various ages and concurrent administration with hepatitis B vaccine.

To determine the most suitable vaccination schedule in developing countries, a study was conducted to reevaluate the immunogenicity of monovalent measles vaccine and trivalent measles-mumps-rubella vaccine at different ages. The success rate of measles vaccination was 84% at 9 months, 88% at 12 months and 100% at 15 months of age. Vaccination with measles vaccines at 9 and 15 months of age was also 96% immunogenic. Most vaccinees (16 of 17) not responding to the first measles vaccine before 1 year of age developed measles antibody with another shot of vaccine after 15 months of age. Trivalent measles-mumps-rubella vaccine worked well in children ages 14 to 18 months. Administering trivalent vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine concurrently at 1 year of age, rubella and mumps antibodies developed in more than 95% of vaccinees, while measles antibody was detected in 88%. Responses to hepatitis B vaccine in this situation were good; 89% of vaccinees developed antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (greater than or equal to 10 mIU/ml) and the geometric mean titer was 362.49 mIU/ml. In summary vaccination twice at 9 and 15 months is effective and is a useful regimen in developing countries where measles is still endemic. Trivalent vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine will not interfere with each other when given together at 1 year of age.