How the Vaccine is Given to Babies and Young Children
The measles vaccine is given as part of the combination MR vaccine, which is administered as a deep subcutaneous injection over the deltoid muscle of the right upper arm. The standard pediatric dose is 0.5 ml.
What to Expect During and After Vaccination
During vaccination, your baby may cry briefly due to the injection. After vaccination, some babies may experience mild side effects like fever or a mild rash.
How to Soothe and Comfort a Fussy Baby After Vaccination
- Cuddle and Comfort: Hold your baby close and offer comfort.
- Feed Your Baby: Breastfeeding or offering a bottle can help soothe your baby.
- Distract with Toys: Use favorite toys or blankets to distract and comfort your baby.
Measles Control Strategies
Since 2002, the Ministry of Public Health has been committed to the control of measles disease using the following strategies:
- Provision of First Dose: The first dose of the measles-containing vaccine is given to all infants at 9 months.
- Introduction of Second Dose: A second dose of the measles-containing vaccine is given at 18 months.
- Mass Campaigns: Periodic mass campaigns ensure that all children get a second opportunity for measles vaccination.
- Enhanced Surveillance: Measles surveillance is enhanced through the integration of laboratory confirmation and epidemiological linkage to outbreaks.
- Improved Case Management: Every case of measles receives Vitamin A supplementation and appropriate supportive management.
Dosage and Routes of Administration
- Dosage: The combination MR vaccine is given as a dose of 0.5 ml, deep subcutaneous injection over the deltoid muscle of the right upper arm of the child.
- Schedule: The infant schedule for the MR vaccine is at 9 and 18 months of age. The vaccine is administered at 9 months of age in the Kenya routine immunization schedule for infants primarily because measles occurs frequently in infants less than one year of age and this is the earliest age at which an acceptable seroconversion rate of 85% is achieved.
Contraindications
Measles-containing vaccines (MCVs) should not be given to individuals with a history of anaphylactic reactions or severe allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine (e.g., neomycin or gelatin) or those with any form of severe immunosuppression. Please note that HIV infection is an indication (rather than contraindication) for measles vaccination in Kenya as the risk of severe measles disease is worse than the risk of vaccine-derived measles in HIV-exposed or infected infants. In situations where displaced people are moving en masse internally or across national borders, all children aged between 6 months and 12 years should be vaccinated against measles – regardless of previous vaccination status.
