Prevention of measles, mumps and rubella: 40 years of global experience with M-M-R_II

ABSTRACT

Measles, mumps, and rubella are highly contagious diseases that caused significant global mortality and morbidity in the pre-vaccine era. Since its first approval in the United States over 40 years ago, M-M-R_II has been used in >75 countries for prevention of these diseases. The vaccine has been part of immunization programs that have achieved dramatic global reductions in case numbers and mortality rates, as well as the elimination of measles and rubella in several countries and regions. This report summarizes over four decades of global safety, immunogenicity, efficacy, and effectiveness data for the vaccine. We include studies on the use of M-M-R_II in different age groups, concomitant use with other routine childhood vaccines, administration via different routes, persistence of immunity, and vaccine effectiveness during outbreaks of measles and mumps. We conclude that M-M-R_II is well tolerated and has shown consistently high performance during routine use in multiple countries, in randomized controlled trials with diverse designs, and in outbreak settings, including use as measles postexposure prophylaxis. Physicians, parents, and the public can continue to have a high degree of confidence in the use of M-M-R_II as a vital part of global public health programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Measles-mumps-rubella
• vaccines
• M-M-R_II
• immunogenicity
• safety
• outbreaks

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Cath Ennis, PhD, in collaboration with ScribCo, for medical writing assistance.

Disclosure statement

MP is an employee of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA and stockholder of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

ES is an employee of Certara, Loerrach, Germany, and was a consultant for Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA and paid for their services.

BK was an employee of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA at the time of the study.

GSM reports involvement as an investigator and consultant for GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Seqirus, Pfizer, and Sanofi Pasteur and also as a speaker for Sanofi Pasteur.

JF is a consultant for Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, Sanofi Pasteur and GSK. Investigator for Pfizer, and AstraZeneca. Speaker for Merck, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.