Safety and Antibody Responses to Aerosolized MMR II Vaccine in Adults: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Background: There have been no reported studies involving aerosol immunization with 2 of the 3 components of MMR II vaccine—Attenuvax measles vaccine and Jeryl-Lyn mumps vaccine. Objective: To evaluate the safety and antibody responses to aerosolized Attenuvax measles strain, Jeryl Lynn mumps strain and RA 27/3 rubella component of an MMR vaccine in adults, before assessing the booster administration of this vaccine in children. Methods: A pilot study to evaluate safety and antibody responses of MMR II (Merch Sharp & Dhome Corp., Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, USA) components administered by aerosol was carried out in 27 healthy adults of 21 to 38 years of age. All participants were followed-up during 28 days following immunization for detection of clinical adverse events. Immune response was evaluated by plaque reduction neutralization test for measles, and commercial ELISA kits for rubella and mumps. Results: Only mild clinical adverse events were noted. Despite high levels of baseline seropositivity to all vaccine components, seroresponses to measles, rubella and mumps occurred in 44%, 15% and 41%, respectively. Conclusions: These outcomes compare favorably with earlier studies of other MMR vaccines given by aerosol. Further evaluations on safety and booster immune response should be performed in children.