Non-specific Effects of a Modified Measles Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Allergy and Unrelated Infection in Children

Inclusion criteria

• Informed Consent as documented by signature
• 6-month-old children
• In overall good health, without any clinically significant concomitant disease states (e.g., renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, etc.) and no clinically significant abnormal finding on history and/or physical examination
• Fully immunised for age according to the Swiss vaccination schedule
• with at least 2 doses of DTP-containing vaccine
• the last dose of vaccine received at least 2 weeks prior to enrolment

Exclusion criteria

• Contra-indications to MMR, including
• immunosuppression (i.e. proven, suspected, or planned)
• allergy to a component of the vaccine
• receipt of a live-attenuated vaccine in the four weeks prior to inclusion
• Vaccine refusal
• Indication for an early MMR vaccination, including
• Measles outbreak
• Planned immunosuppression (indication to an accelerated schedule to be completed before starting an immunosuppressive treatment)
• Travel to a region with a high risk of measles outbreak
• Indication for vaccination with MMR-varicella (MMRV) instead of MMR, including
• severe eczema
• parental will
• Parental inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, known/suspected non-compliance, substance abuse, etc.
• Plan to move out of the country or have prolong absence during the trial
• Other sibling included in the trial (in the case of multiple pregnancy, only one child can be randomised)
• Any temporary contra-indication to MMR, including child being sick (active significant illness, inclusion can be delayed a few days until the illness resolves)