Adverse reactions following immunization with MMR vaccine in children at selected provinces of Iran

Several adverse events following immunization [AEFI] have been attributed to immunization with live attenuated measles, mumps, and rubella [MMR] vaccines. The MMR vaccine was introduced into the routine infant immunization schedule in 2003, followed by a second dose of vaccine at school-entry for children 4 to 6 years of age. The objective of this study was to characterize adverse reactions following MMR vaccination in Iran. Children who received the MMR vaccine and resided in five selected provinces of Iran were examined weekly for four weeks to detect well-known AEFIs that included: parotitis, fever and convulsions, convulsions without fever, encephalopathy, and anaphylactic reactions. Incidence of AEFIs were calculated and compared among recipients in both age groups. During the follow-up period, trained providers reported 792 AEFIs. Parotitis was the most frequent event occurring in 1.8% of recipients. Of 14, 109 children vaccinated at 12 months of age the following AEFIs occurred: parotitis [147], fever and convulsions [8], convulsions [7], encephalopathy [1], and anaphylactic reactions [1]. Of 29,338 children vaccinated to 4 to 6 years of age, parotitis, fever and convulsions, encephalopathy, and anaphylaxis occurred in 626, 5, 1, and 1 child, respectively; no convulsions without fever were reported in this age groups. Parotitis is the most frequent AEFI among MMR vaccine recipients in Iran. Incidence rates of AEFIs following MMR vaccination in Iran are similar to rates of AEFIs reported in other studies

Etiology of a suspected measles outbreak: preceding measles reduction activities in Pakistan

To characterize patients with suspected measles, determine the magnitude of the outbreak in selected areas, and perform laboratory testing on patients with suspected measles to confirm the etiology of the outbreak. Cross-sectional survey. Islamabad and Rawalpindi in June 2006. Survey and specimen collection from households was carried out in areas affected by rash and fever during the outbreak. Teams asked if household members had rash and fever and administered a detailed questionnaire of clinical signs and symptoms for measles for each person who reported a rash and fever episode. A sample of cases with fever, rash, and either cough, conjunctivitis, or coryza was laboratory tested for measles and rubella. Of 2,225 households visited, 284 individuals met the rash and fever case definition. Laboratory testing of eleven blood specimens revealed that the rash and fever outbreak was caused by rubella in 6 and measles in 2 with three equivocal results. Laboratory confirmation of suspected measles cases is essential during measles elimination activities in Pakistan and other countries with endemic rubella