Background: The reintroduction of measles-rubella combined (MR) vaccination to Japan raised concerns about adverse events as well as immunogenicity related to booster immunization in subjects with naturally acquired immunity to measles or rubella.
Methods: The time course of reactogenicity and antibody responses in recipients with pre-existing immunity to measles through natural infection was observed. Eighteen children aged 80-104 months received MR booster vaccination; 16 of them had had previous rubella vaccination.
Results: There were virtually no clinical reactions related to booster vaccination, and a highly significant antibody response to rubella antigen, whereas the antibody rise to measles was statistically significant but poor.
Conclusions: Vaccination of individuals already immune is not harmful. Booster immunization to rubella for Japanese children is vitally important.
Keywords: antibody; measles-rubella combined vaccine; reactogenicity.
© 2015 Japan Pediatric Society.