Reactogenecity of indigenously produced measles vaccine.

Objective: To assess the safety and reactogenecity of indigenously produced measles vaccine derived from EZ strain.

Design: A longitudinal clinical follow up after vaccination.

Setting: Hospital based and home follow up, as required.

Subjects: 12,470 children, 9 to 15 months old, immunized with measles vaccine of EZ strain, in accordance with the National Immunization Schedule, at five centers.

Methods: A clinical follow up of children at 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 6 weeks after measles vaccination. A detailed clinical neurological examination in children showing side effects.

Results: Mild side effects were documented in 31%. Of these, 90% were seen in the first two weeks, out of which two thirds were seen during the first week. Commonest side effects were coryza (10%), fever (9.8%), cough (3.2%) and diarrhea (3.2%). Convulsions, with no later sequelae were documented in 2 cases only.

Conclusions: Measles vaccine manufactured in India, using EZ strain is a safe vaccine. It has a level of reactogenecity including neurological aspects, lower than that reported in India with the Schwarz strain vaccine.