Measles is a disease caused by a virus. It usually starts with a simple cold, followed by a cough and eye irritation. After a few days, the fever rises and red patches, or pimples, start to appear on the face and spread all over the body.

Even without complications, measles is painful to bear because there is general discomfort and great fatigue. The patient may then not have the strength to get out of bed for at least a week.

There is no specific treatment for the measles virus and most people recover within two to three weeks but may remain tired for several weeks.

In 1980, before vaccination became widespread, the number of deaths from measles was estimated at 2,6 million per year worldwide. In France, there were over 600 cases each year.

Measles is a notifiable disease and has therefore become compulsory in France.

Measles vaccination is compulsory for all children born on or after January 1, 2018. The first dose is given at 12 months and the second between 16 and 18 months.

People born since 1980 should have received a total of two doses of trivalent vaccine (minimum time of one month between the two doses), regardless of the history of one of the three diseases.

Infants and children:

• 1 dose at the age of 12 months;
• 1 dose between 16 and 18 months.

In infants born from January 1, 2018, vaccination against measles is mandatory.

People born from 1980 and aged at least 12 months:

2 doses with a minimum delay of one month between the 2 doses.

Measles also causes a kind of amnesia in the immune system which destroys memory cells and makes patients vulnerable again to diseases they have had before.

Complications from measles or secondary infections are common (around 1 in 6 people). The patients can then present in parallel otitis or laryngitis.

The most serious forms of aggravation are pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which can leave severe neurological damage or lead to death. Hospitalizations for complications are more common in infants under 1 year of age, adolescents and adults.

Currently available measles vaccines are live attenuated virus vaccines which are combined with rubella vaccine and mumps vaccine (MMR).

Covered 100% by health insurance for children from 1 to 17 years old, and 65% from 18 years old **

Who prescribes the vaccine?

The measles vaccine can be prescribed by:

• doctor ;
• a midwife for women, those around pregnant women and those around newborns until they are 8 weeks old.

The vaccine is fully covered by health insurance up to the age of 17 inclusive and 65% from the age of 18. The remaining amount is generally reimbursed by complementary health insurance (mutuals).

It is available in pharmacies and must be stored in the refrigerator between + 2 ° C and + 8 ° C. It must not be frozen.

Who does the injection?

The administration of the vaccine can be carried out by a doctor, a nurse on medical prescription, or a midwife, in private practice, in PMI (children under 6 years old) or in a public vaccination center. In this case, the prescription, the delivery of the vaccine and the vaccination are carried out on site.

The injection of the vaccine is covered by health insurance and complementary health insurance under the usual conditions.

There is no advance fee for consultation in public vaccination centers or in PMI.