Persistence of antibody after administration of monovalent and combined live attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccines.

Hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies were retained in comparable levels eight years after vaccination with Enders' original Edmonston and more attenuated Moraten (Attenuvax) and Schwarz line measles vaccines. Neutralizing antibody persisted without substantial decline in titer for at least 9.5 years after administration of Jeryl Lynn mumps virus vaccine (Mumpsvax). Antibodies were retained without important decline in children and adults for at least 7.5 and 7 years, respectively, after administration of HPV-77 duck-modified rubella vaccine (Meruvax). The patterns of antibody persistence 7.5 years after administration of combined measles-mumps-rubella (M-M-R) and mumps-rubella (Biavax) vaccines, 6 years after administration of measles-rubella vaccine (M-R-VAX), and 4 years after administration of measles-mumps vaccine (M-M-VAX) were the same as for the monovalent vaccines, indicating no alteration in the retention of immunity. Subclinical reinfection evidenced by increase in homologous antibody titer was observed to follow vaccination the same as occurs after natural infection.