Measles-mumps vaccination in the FRG: an empirical analysis after 14 years of use. I. Efficacy and analysis of vaccine failures.

Abstract One hundred and ninety two reports on vaccine failures after measles and mumps vaccination are analysed. These reports were received by the Drug Surveillance Department at Behringwerke between 1976 and 1989. Seventy-six per cent of the suspected measles and 41% of the suspected mumps cases occurred within the first 3 years postvaccination. Most probably these were primary vaccine failures. The analysis of the data collected in the 14 years since the introduction of measles-mumps vaccination in the FRG gives no reason to suspect that the protection afforded by the vaccines wanes with time.