M-Vac Contraindications

There are few contraindications to the administration of measles vaccine. Individuals receiving corticosteroids, other immuno-suppressive drugs or undergoing radio-therapy may not develop an optimal immune response. The vaccine should not be given in acute infectious diseases, leukaemia, severe anaemia and other severe diseases of the blood system, severe impairment of the renal function, decompensated heart disease, following administration of gammaglobulin or blood transfusions. Persons with a history of an anaphylactic reaction to any component of the vaccine should not be vaccinated. There are extremely rare reports of hypersensitivity reactions with MMR vaccines in individuals who are allergic to cow's milk. Such individuals should not receive the vaccine.
Low-grade fever, mild respiratory infections or diarrhoea, and other minor illness should not be considered as contraindications. It is particularly important to immunize children with malnutrition. Since the effect of the live measles vaccine on the fetus is not known, it is also contraindicated in pregnancy.
Immune Deficiency: Children with known or suspected HIV infection are at increased risk of severe measles and should be offered measles vaccine as early as possible. Measles vaccine is contraindicated in persons who are severely immunocompromised as a result of a congenital immune disorder, HIV infection, advanced leukaemia or lymphoma, serious malignant disease, or treatment with high-dose steroids, alkylating agents or anti-metabolites, or in persons who are receiving immunosuppressive therapeutic radiation.