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MMR vaccination in 6-9 month olds Vaccination against measles using the MMR vaccine is licensed from 9 months of age, but is used off-label from 6 months of age during or when travelling to areas with an ongoing measles outbreak. In this review of the published literature, studies on MMR vaccination in this age group are limited and small in size. Immunogenicity studies indicate that infants under 9 months respond with lower antibody titres but comparable T cell responses against measles. The safety profile of the vaccine does not appear to differ between infants vaccinated earlier or later. Vaccination from 6 months of age should be recommended if the risk of being infected with measles is considered greater than the risk of not attaining full vaccination protection.

Since vaccination against measles, rubella and mumps (MMR) was introduced in Sweden in 1982 for children at 1.5 and 12 years of age these diseases have almost completely disappeared. Severe side effects have been rare. Threats against the continued protection from these diseases include a lessening inclination on the part of parents to vaccinate their children, a weakening of the vaccine-induced immunological response with time, and possibly also genetic changes in strains of circulating wild type virus. By law physicians are bound to report diagnosed cases as well as new or severe side effects. Continuous laboratory analysis of antibodies and circulating viruses is also necessary.