Is there a separate measles vaccine available apart from the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine?

Availability of Separate Measles Vaccine

No, there is currently no separate measles vaccine available in the United States apart from the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. Since 1978, only combination vaccines have been available for measles vaccination in the United States 1.

Current MMR Vaccine Options in the United States

• As of 2022, there are only two MMR vaccines approved for use in the United States:

  • M-M-R II (Merck and Co., Inc.) - available since 1978 1
  • PRIORIX (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) - approved by FDA in June 2022 1

• Both vaccines are fully interchangeable for all indications for which MMR vaccination is recommended 1

• These vaccines contain live attenuated viruses for all three diseases (measles, mumps, and rubella) in a single formulation 1

Vaccination Schedule and Administration

• For routine vaccination, 2 doses are recommended:

  • First dose at age 12-15 months
  • Second dose at age 4-6 years 1, 2

• Both vaccines are administered as a subcutaneous injection with a single dose of approximately 0.5 mL after reconstitution 1, 2

• The minimum interval between doses is 28 days (4 weeks) 1

Special Situations

• For infants aged 6-11 months who will travel or live abroad or during measles outbreaks, a single dose of MMR is recommended as an off-label use 1

• For measles post-exposure prophylaxis in unvaccinated persons, 1 dose of MMR should be administered within 72 hours of exposure 1

• During mumps outbreaks, a third dose of MMR is recommended for persons identified as being at increased risk 1

Historical Context and Rationale

• The combination MMR vaccine has been the standard approach since the late 1970s in the United States 1

• Using combined MMR vaccine rather than separate vaccines provides:

  • Fewer injections for patients 1
  • More favorable benefit/cost ratio 1
  • Protection against all three diseases with a single administration 1

• The high effectiveness of the MMR vaccine has led to the elimination of endemic measles in the United States in 2000 and rubella in 2004 1, 3

Effectiveness and Safety

• MMR vaccine effectiveness in preventing measles is approximately 95% after one dose and 96% after two doses 3, 4

• The vaccine has been shown to be highly immunogenic, with seroconversion rates of 95-100% being achieved for each component 5

• Immunity appears to be long-lasting and may even be lifelong, though some studies suggest waning of mumps antibodies over time 6, 5

• The safety profile is well-established, with most common side effects being mild and transient 3, 4

Having multiple manufacturers (Merck and GlaxoSmithKline) helps safeguard the U.S. vaccine supply, but there is no standalone measles vaccine option currently available 1.