Why Should Measles Vaccination Be Taken?

Posted on Tue, 3 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 3 Feb 2015 Answered on

Tue, 3 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had a test for measles, which I never got as a child (I am 80 years old). The test said I am immune to measles but not German Measles. I was also exposed to German Measles and I didn't get them either.

My doctor says I need a measles vaccination anyway. Why? German measles wasn't around very much in those days.

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
German Measles(Rubella)

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
Rubella virus was isolated only in the early 1960s .
Although acquired rubella(German Measles) is usually thought of as a benign disease, arthralgia and arthritis are common in infected adults, particularly women. Thrombocytopenia and encephalitis are less common complications.

Target groups for rubella vaccine in all countries include adults without documented evidence of immunity(as in your case).

The most effective method of preventing acquired rubella is through vaccination with rubella-containing vaccines (RCVs).

Immunity is considered long-term and is probably lifelong.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (11 minutes later)

Do I need a vaccination, even though I am immune to measles?

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
German Measles(Rubella) vaccination

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
German Measles(Rubella) virus and Measles virus are different.

Rubella virus is RNA virus in the Togaviridae family .Measles virus is RNA virus in the family of Paramyxoviridae.
Immunity against Measles virus does not confer any immunity against German Measles(Rubella) virus. In other words there is no cross-immunity.
Hence the necessity of separate vaccination for German Measles.
In fact currently, the majority of rubella-containing vaccines (RCVs) used worldwide are combined measles and rubella (MR) or measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) formulations.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (12 hours later)

You really did not answer my question. You evaded a yes or no. But, that's okay, most doctors any more do not come to the point.

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rubella vaccination

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

Normally by the time you reach age of 80 yrs, you already acquire immunity against German Measles by way of sub-clinical infection.

Since you have no documented evidence of immunity against German Measles, you have to take Rubella vaccination.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari