Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are highly infectious viral diseases affecting young children and have high secondary attack rates. Present MMR vaccines show consistent seroconversion rates for anti-measles and anti-rubella antibodies with variable responses for anti-mumps antibodies. Most common strains for MMR vaccines, currently available in India, are the Edmonston-Zagreb measles strain, Leningrad Zagreb (L-Z) mumps strain, and the RA 27/3 rubella strain. L-Z strain of mumps virus has been found to be associated with aseptic meningitis by different studies from different parts of the world including India. Recently, a novel freeze-dried MMR vaccine developed by Zydus Lifesciences (Zyvac MMR) contains Edmonston Zagreb measles strain, Hoshino mumps strain, and RA 27/3 rubella strain. The Hoshino strain is WHO approved and was found to induce interferon gamma production. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive appraisal of the data available on the safety and immunogenicity of the novel MMR vaccine.
Keywords: Hoshino; IAP; India; Leningrad Zagreb; MMR; aseptic meningitis.