From the Guidelines
If your child has been exposed to measles, immediate action is crucial, and post-exposure prophylaxis with the MMR vaccine, such as PRIORIX, can be considered within 72 hours of exposure, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 1. For unvaccinated children exposed to measles, the MMR vaccine can provide protection if given promptly.
- The vaccine should be administered as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours of exposure.
- For those who cannot receive the vaccine, such as infants under 6 months, pregnant individuals, or immunocompromised patients, immune globulin (IG) is recommended, ideally within 6 days of exposure.
- The standard IG dose is 0.5 mL/kg intramuscularly, with a maximum dose of 15 mL.
- Children who have already received one or two doses of MMR vaccine are generally protected and don't require post-exposure treatment. During the 21-day incubation period after exposure, it is essential to:
- Monitor your child for symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and rash.
- Keep exposed children home from school or daycare to prevent further transmission. These interventions work by either boosting immunity quickly (vaccine) or providing temporary passive immunity (immune globulin) before the virus can establish infection, significantly reducing the risk of developing measles or lessening its severity, as supported by the latest recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 1.
From the Research
Treatment for Measles Exposure in Children
- The treatment for measles exposure in children involves postexposure prophylaxis with immunoglobulin administered intramuscularly 2 or intravenously 3, 4, 5.
- According to a study published in 2001, children were given 0.33 mL/kg of immunoglobulin within 5 days after exposure, but the efficacy of this treatment depended on the titer of measles antibody in the immunoglobulin preparation 2.
- The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that susceptible infants younger than six months of age receive intramuscular immunoglobulin (IMIg) at a concentration of 0.5 mL/kg, to a maximum dose of 15 mL administered over multiple injection sites 4.
- For susceptible infants six to 12 months old, IMIg can be provided at a concentration of 0.5 mL/kg if injection volume is not a major concern 4.
- Alternatively, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) can be provided at a dose of 400 mg/kg, especially in cases where injection volume is a major concern or for recipients 30 kg or more 4, 5.
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine can also be given to susceptible immunocompetent individuals six months of age and older within 72 hours of exposure 4.