Immunoglobulin to prevent measles exposure may be given to which group?

Immunoglobulin to prevent measles exposure may be given to which group?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if severe allergy
• D. Only for unimmunized adults

Answer: (A)

Measles post-exposure protection relies on giving antibodies when immediate protection is needed for people who cannot safely receive the vaccine or who are at high risk of severe disease. Immunoglobulin provides passive, short-term protection by supplying neutralizing antibodies right after exposure, which is important because the measles vaccine is a live vaccine and isn’t suitable for everyone or fast enough in an exposure window. The groups most likely to benefit are infants younger than six months (for whom the vaccine isn’t given yet), pregnant women without immunity, and individuals who are severely immunocompromised or for whom vaccination is contraindicated. For those who can safely receive the vaccine, active immunization with the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure is preferred to establish longer-lasting protection. In summary, immunoglobulin may be given after measles exposure to specific high-risk groups to prevent disease, which is why this option is appropriate in those contexts.

Measles post-exposure protection relies on giving antibodies when immediate protection is needed for people who cannot safely receive the vaccine or who are at high risk of severe disease. Immunoglobulin provides passive, short-term protection by supplying neutralizing antibodies right after exposure, which is important because the measles vaccine is a live vaccine and isn’t suitable for everyone or fast enough in an exposure window.

The groups most likely to benefit are infants younger than six months (for whom the vaccine isn’t given yet), pregnant women without immunity, and individuals who are severely immunocompromised or for whom vaccination is contraindicated. For those who can safely receive the vaccine, active immunization with the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure is preferred to establish longer-lasting protection. In summary, immunoglobulin may be given after measles exposure to specific high-risk groups to prevent disease, which is why this option is appropriate in those contexts.