Seroconversion of a trivalent measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in children aged 9 and 15 months.

The serological response to MMR vaccine was evaluated in 109 9-month-old infants having no history of measles vaccination, and in 98 15-month-old children who had received monocomponent measles immunisation at 9 months. The combined vaccine contained Schwarz, Urabe Am9, and Wistar RA 27/3 live attenuated virus strains. Preimmunisation antibody levels were extremely low for the 9-month-old children, indicating that maternally-transmitted antibodies do not persist at this age. In the case of mumps, preimmunisation antibody levels were significantly higher in the 15-month-old than in the 9-month-old group. A difference between groups in terms of postimmunisation antibody titres was observed only for rubella, with titres being significantly higher in the older group. Seroconversion rates were high in both groups and no serious events attributable to vaccination were observed. The MMR vaccine can thus be administered to children as young as 9 months of age. Evidence for the efficacy of a two-dose schedule, i.e. at 9 and 15 months, is presented.