Proceed with the Measles Vaccine Today
You should NOT reschedule the vaccine—proceed with vaccination today as the infant's cough and cold represent a minor illness, which is explicitly not a contraindication to measles vaccination. 1, 2
Why Minor Illness Is Not a Contraindication
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) clearly states that minor upper respiratory tract illnesses (including cough and cold) with or without fever are among the most common conditions inappropriately regarded as contraindications to vaccination. 1
- All vaccines, including measles vaccine, can be administered to infants with minor acute illness such as mild upper-respiratory infection with or without low-grade fever 1
- Studies demonstrate that more than 97% of children with mild illnesses develop appropriate measles antibody responses after vaccination 2
- Failure to vaccinate children with minor illnesses can seriously impede vaccination efforts and result in missed opportunities 1, 2
When to Actually Defer Vaccination
Vaccination should only be deferred if the infant has moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever 1
- "Moderate or severe" means symptoms that significantly affect the infant's daily functioning 2
- The purpose of deferring in these cases is to avoid superimposing adverse vaccine effects on the underlying illness or mistakenly attributing manifestations of the underlying illness to the vaccine 1
Practical Assessment Approach
Ask the parent if the infant is feeding normally and appears generally well—if yes, proceed with vaccination. 2
- Routine physical examinations and measuring temperatures are not prerequisites for vaccinating infants who appear to be healthy 1, 2
- The decision depends on severity of symptoms, not merely their presence 1
Critical Public Health Consideration
Among infants whose compliance with medical care cannot be ensured, it is particularly important to use every opportunity to provide appropriate vaccinations. 1, 2