A 12-year long study conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center found no increased risk for seven neurological, blood or immune system disorders related to two measles-containing vaccines.
Researchers evaluated 123,200 children aged 12 to 23 months who received the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine and 584,987 children who received the measles-mumps-rubella and varicella vaccines from January 2000 through June 2012.
They compared the MMRV with MMR + V-vaccinated children for increased risk for immune thrombocytopenia purpura, anaphylaxis, ataxia, arthritis, meningitis/encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and Kawasaki disease and found most disorders were unlikely after either of the vaccines.
The study did confirm previous findings that linked MMRV and MMR + V with fever and febrile seizure in 1 year old children seven to 10 days after vaccination, but the risk was low. Less than one febrile seizure occurred per 1,000 injections.
The study also did not identify any new safety concerns connected with the MMRV with MMR + V vaccines, according to lead author and co-director of the Vaccine Study Center Nicola P. Klein, MD.
"These findings indicate that even if an increased risk for these outcomes exists, the risk is low and rare," said Dr. Klein. "This should reassure parents that these outcomes are unlikely after either vaccine."
More articles on the measles:
Possible measles exposure at CVS in Pennsylvania
Infection control in the US: 2014 year in review
Patients, staff potentially exposed to measles at Christus St. Vincent