From the Guidelines
The earliest recommended vaccination for measles is at 12 months of age, when children receive the first dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. This is based on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as stated in the study 1. The study recommends that the first dose of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines be administered at age 12–15 months.
In special circumstances, such as during measles outbreaks or before international travel to high-risk areas, infants as young as 6 months may receive an early dose of the measles vaccine, as suggested in the study 1 and 1. However, this early dose doesn't count toward the routine two-dose schedule, and these children will still need to receive the standard doses at the recommended ages.
The timing of the first routine dose at 12 months is important because maternal antibodies, which provide some protection against measles in early infancy, typically wane by this age, as mentioned in the example answer. Vaccinating earlier might result in these maternal antibodies interfering with the vaccine's effectiveness.
Some key points to consider when administering the measles vaccine include:
- The MMR vaccine is highly effective, with about 93% protection after the first dose and 97% after the second dose, making it crucial for preventing measles, which is highly contagious and can cause serious complications.
- Children who travel or live abroad should be vaccinated at an earlier age than recommended for children remaining in the United States, as stated in the study 1.
- Before their departure from the United States, children aged greater than or equal to 12 months should have received two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days, with the first dose administered on or after the first birthday, as recommended in the study 1.
Overall, the recommended age for the first dose of measles vaccine is 12 months, with special considerations for infants traveling to high-risk areas or during outbreaks, as supported by the studies 1, 1, and 1.
From the Research
Earliest Vaccination for Measles
- The earliest vaccination for measles is typically administered at age 12 through 15 months, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 2.
- A second dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended at age 4 through 6 years before school entry 2.
- For infants younger than 6 months of age, intramuscular immunoglobulin (IMIg) can be provided at a concentration of 0.5 mL/kg, to a maximum dose of 15 mL administered over multiple injection sites, as a post-exposure prophylaxis for measles 3.
- The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that susceptible immunocompetent individuals 6 months of age and older, who are exposed to measles and have no contraindications, be given the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of the exposure 3.
- Studies have shown that a two-dose regime of measles vaccine is required to eliminate measles, and that a large proportion of pre-school children may have measles IgG antibody below the putative level of protection after a single dose of MMR vaccine 4.