Combined MMRV Vaccine Linked to Slight Rise in Adverse Events

A slight increase in the risk of febrile seizures in children has been noted due to a combined measles-mumps-rubella–varicella (MMRV) vaccine as compared to separate vaccines, a study has found

A slight increase in the risk of febrile seizures in children has been noted due to a combined measles-mumps-rubella–varicella (MMRV) vaccine as compared to separate vaccines, a study has found.

The MMRV vaccine was developed for young children to reduce the number of needles they receive. However, the combined vaccine has been associated with slightly higher rates of febrile seizures.

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Febrile seizures can accompany high fever in young children; although distressing, they are not associated with ongoing health issues.

"Combining MMR and varicella into a single vaccine decreases pain for children and distress for parents, thus addressing common barriers to vaccine uptake, and may improve vaccination coverage levels and decrease immunization delivery costs," writes Dr. Shannon MacDonald, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary.

"Febrile seizures are typically self-limiting and rarely have long-term effects, but they can be extremely distressing for parents, may precipitate acute care visits and may undermine confidence in immunization programs."

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To determine whether there is an increased risk of febrile seizures from the combined vaccine, researchers looked at data on 227 774 children aged 12 to 23 months who received either the MMR+V or the MMRV vaccine between 2006 and 2012 in Alberta, Canada.

The researchers found a slight increase in the relative risk of febrile seizure with the MMRV vaccine compared with the MMR+V vaccine — about 1 excess seizure for every 2841 doses administered in the 7- to 10-day period after vaccination. Although this rate is double that for the MMR+V vaccine, the absolute risk is relatively small. The researchers suggest counselling parents about the risk of fever and to use children's fever medication to alleviate symptoms.