1. Travel Health and Vaccines Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine (Attenuvax)?

You should not receive this vaccine if you are allergic to:

• gelatin;
• neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab); or
• if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing the measles virus.

You should also not receive this vaccine if you have:

• severe immune suppression caused by certain medications, or by receiving chemotherapy or radiation;
• a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments;
• leukemia, lymphoma, or any cancer that affects the bone marrow or lymph nodes; or
• if you are pregnant.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if you have:

• allergy to eggs;
• thrombocytopenia purpura (easy bruising or bleeding);
• active and untreated tuberculosis infection;
• a history of head or brain injury;
• a personal or family history of seizures; or
• if you have received an immune globulin or other blood product within the past 3 months.

You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold or low fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine.

Avoid becoming pregnant for at least 3 months after receiving a measles virus vaccine.

Do not receive this vaccine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is this vaccine given (Attenuvax)?

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) under your skin. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

The measles vaccine is usually given to a child who is 12 to 15 month old. A measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine should then be given before the child starts elementary school.

Children younger than 12 months old may be vaccinated against measles in an outbreak situation. If the child receives the first measles virus vaccine before the age of 12 months, a booster dose should be given between 12 and 15 months of age.

Your individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. In addition to the measles virus vaccine, you may also need to receive a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring if you have a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

This vaccine can cause false results on a skin test for tuberculosis. For a few weeks after vaccination, tell any doctor who treats you that you have received the measles virus vaccine.

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