Overview About the Measles Immunization

1. Definition
a. Measles immunization is given to receive immunization against measles immunity actively (Markum, 2002, p.26).
b. Immunization against measles is the act of giving measles vaccine to children which aims to establish immunity against measles (Hidayat, 2005, hal104).

2. Measles Vaccine
Measles vaccines containing live measles virus which has been attenuated. Measles vaccine circulating in Indonesia can be obtained in the form of dry packaged singly or in combination with a dry pack mumps vaccine / goitre (mumps) and rubella (German measles). In the United States last package is known as the MMR vaccine Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine. (Markum, 2002, p.26)

In developing countries, measles immunization is recommended given early with the intention of providing immunity as early as possible, prior to exposure to natural measles virus infection. Early immunization apparently hit by the innate immune anti originating from the mother (maternal antibodies), it can inhibit the formation of a substance the body immune to measles in children, so that repeat immunization was given 4-6 months later. Then to Indonesia vaccines campak.diberikan start child was 9 months. (Http://syehaceh.wordpress.com/Diakses On 25 April 2010).
Measles vaccine should be refrigerated at the appropriate temperature (2-8 0C) due to sunlight or heat can kill the virus measles vaccine. When the virus died before it is injected, the vaccine is not able to induce an immune response (Wahab, 2002, p.60).

3. Measles immunization
WHO recommends immunization at age 9 months for routine immunization programs in developing countries. In areas with risk of mortality of infants aged less than 9 months of a very high recommended the administration of two doses of measles vaccine at age 6 and 9 months. In those countries, which have a risk of contracting measles at an early age is much lower, given measles vaccine at age 12-15 months, when all children have lost maternal antibody so that an optimal immune response can be achieved (Wahab, 2002, p.60 - 61 ).
Timing of immunization against measles at age 9 -12 months. How to measles immunization subcutaneously with a dose of 0.5 ml. (Hidayat, 2005, hal.104).
Actually measles immunization can be given before the baby was 9 months, for example, at the age of 6-7 months when the passive immunity acquired from the mother began to disappear. But then he should get a one-time injection was repeated after 15 months. (Markum, 2002, p.. 28)

4. Immunity and Immunization Reactions
Power protection measles immunization is very high, namely 96-99%. According to the study, acquired immunity is lifelong, as the staying with immunity acquired when children infected with measles naturally (Markum, 2002, p.. 29)
Immunizations that are common reactions include high fever (temperature over 39.4 º C), which occurs 8-10 days after vaccination and lasts for about 24-48 hours (approximately 2% incidence) and skin rash for about 1-2 days 2 incidence % (Wahab, 2000, p.61).

5. Side Effects and Contra Indications
Side effects are very rare, possibly a mild seizures can occur and are not dangerous on day 10-12 after injection. Moreover, it can occur in the form of brain inflammation or ansefalopati ansefalitis within 30 days after immunization. But it happened very rarely, namely 1 in a million shot. This figure is much lower than the incidence of brain inflammation due to natural measles disease of 1 in 250 cases. Thus the risk for the occurrence of brain inflammation caused by natural infection 2500 times greater than the result of immunization. (Markum, 2002, hal.29).

According to WHO, contra indications only applies to terminally ill children, suffering from tuberculosis (tuberculosa) without treatment, or who suffer from severe malnutrition in degrees. Measles vaccination should also not be given to children suffering from malignant disease or is in the treatment of malignant disease. Since not enough scientific information gathering, measles immunization should be deferred in pregnant women. In children who have suffered seizures, measles immunization can be given as usual, provided with medical supervision (Markum, 2002, hal.30).