From the Guidelines
The MMR vaccine is recommended for elderly individuals lacking immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella, with the standard adult dose being one 0.5 mL subcutaneous injection. For most elderly patients without documentation of immunity, a single dose is sufficient, though healthcare workers and those at higher risk may require two doses separated by at least 28 days 1. Before administration, clinicians should verify the absence of contraindications such as severe immunocompromise, pregnancy, recent receipt of antibody-containing blood products, or history of severe allergic reactions to vaccine components. Some key considerations for MMR vaccination in the elderly include:
- Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune to measles and mumps, but may still require vaccination against rubella 1
- Healthcare workers and those at higher risk may require two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days 1
- The vaccine is particularly important for elderly individuals as they may experience more severe complications from these diseases compared to younger adults
- Side effects are generally mild and may include soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, and mild rash
- The MMR vaccine contains live attenuated viruses that stimulate the immune system to produce protective antibodies without causing the actual diseases, providing valuable protection against these potentially serious infections 1.
From the Research
Considerations for Administering MMR Vaccine to Elderly Individuals
- The decision to administer the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine to elderly individuals lacking immunity should be based on individual risk assessment and current vaccination guidelines 2.
- There is limited research on the immunogenicity and safety of MMR vaccine in elderly populations, as most studies have focused on younger adults 3, 4, 5.
- A study on young adults found that a third dose of MMR vaccine resulted in modest but significant increases in mumps antibody titers, which could decrease susceptibility to disease during outbreaks 3.
- Another study on women of childbearing age found that a third dose of MMR vaccine boosted rubella-specific humoral immunity, with significant increases in neutralizing antibody and IgG titers 4.
- The safety and immunogenicity of MMR vaccine administered via different routes, such as intradermal and aerosol, are being investigated in ongoing studies 6.
- The immune response to MMR vaccine in elderly individuals may be influenced by factors such as waning immunity, comorbidities, and immunosenescence, which should be taken into account when making vaccination decisions 5, 2.
Immunogenicity and Safety of MMR Vaccine in Elderly Populations
- There is a need for more research on the immunogenicity and safety of MMR vaccine in elderly populations to inform vaccination guidelines and policies 2.
- Studies on younger adults suggest that MMR vaccine is generally well-tolerated and immunogenic, but the immune response may be influenced by factors such as age, health status, and prior vaccination history 3, 4, 5.
- The use of reminder systems, vaccination of disadvantaged and high-risk populations, and improvement of healthcare infrastructure and vaccination services management may help increase vaccination coverage and prevent outbreaks in elderly populations 2.