Is it safe to give measles vaccine when my child has chickenpox already?

Question

Hello doctor,

My baby is 9 months old. His measles vaccine is pending and he got chickenpox just 10 days before. Is it safe to give measles vaccine today?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Chickenpox and measles are similar kind of diseases, categorized as viral infections with a rash. In such a scenario, it is better to give measles vaccine one month after full recovery from chickenpox. It is not a problem to give measles vaccine after a month.

Until then see that your child is not exposed in public places, or other kids with infection do not come near him. Nowadays, the vaccination schedule has changed to MMR, instead of measles vaccine at 9 months.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

MMR stands for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. We used to give this vaccine at 15 months. Now, according to the latest guidelines, it is being given at 9 completed months itself.

And you need not give chickenpox vaccine as he already has got the infection. This itself provides long term immunity.