Measles Vaccine
Vaccination schedule
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1 year
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First Grade
The disease
Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium measles morbillivirus. It is one of the most contagious illnesses; individuals who were not vaccinated have a 90% chance of contracting the disease when coming into contact with a sick person. There is no treatment for measles other than supportive care.
Measles symptoms include fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, eye inflammation and widespread rash. Measles complications include middle ear inflammation, diarrhea, and inflammation of the cornea. In extremely rare cases, pneumonia and brain inflammation may occur, leading to neurological damage. An exceptionally rare complication is a degenerative brain disease, which results in damage to the central nervous system, cognitive decline, and seizures. Infants up to the age of five face a higher risk of complications. One out of every 1,000 children who contract measles may not survive.
The vaccine
The measles vaccine is administered as part of the MMRV vaccine, that also contains vaccines against mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, as part of routine infant and child vaccinations.
There are also separate vaccines for individuals with sensitivity to any of the MMRV vaccine's components. You can discuss the possibility of dividing the vaccination with the Family Care Center (Tipat Halav) nurse.
| Vaccine composition | Vaccine administration |
| Live attenuated measles viruses | By injection to the arm |
The influence of the vaccine in Israel: in the 1950s, Israel experienced thousands of annual measles cases. In 1967, the vaccine was incorporated into routine vaccinations, leading to a consistent decline in the number of cases. Nevertheless, occasional outbreaks still occur, often due to infected individuals arriving from abroad or from unvaccinated populations. In a recent measles outbreak between 2018 and 2019, over 4,200 people contracted the disease.
Vaccine completion: if your child is in school age and has not been given a measles vaccine, which is included in the birth to 18 years immunization schedule, you can contact the school nurse to schedule the vaccine completion. In addition, the health staff of the school will inform you of complementary vaccines your child needs and help you schedule them with your consent.
Possible side effects and how to relieve them
A small portion of individuals may experience side effects after getting the vaccine, but these are usually mild and go away on their own:
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Redness, pain and swelling at the injection site -
Fever -
Rash -
Extremely rare phenomena
- Redness and pain at the injection site and local swelling: local symptoms may appear up to 4 days from the vaccination. You can apply a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water to the injection site and avoid massaging the area.
- Fever: temperature may rise within 3-7 days after vaccination. You can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain or reduce fever.
- Rash: rash can appear up to 42 days after vaccination.
- Rare phenomena: upper respiratory tract inflammation, runny nose, swollen lymph node and salivary gland, appetite loss, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, weakness, crying, lack of sleep, irritation, testicle inflammation, and seizures. You can administer an analgesic to help relieve pain or reduce fever.
When to seek medical attention at an HMO or emergency center after the vaccination
- If your child appears apathetic.
- If a fever lasts beyond 24-48 hours.
- If there are persistent changes in appetite and eating patterns beyond 24-48 hours.
- In cases of seizures (often related to fever but should be examined).
- If bluish bruises appear on the skin.
- If you have any other concerns or worries.
If your child experiences symptoms after getting vaccinated in school, please inform the school nurse or the school's preferred healthcare provider.
List of healthcare providers by district