Recombinant measles vaccines are based on the Edmonston Zagreb (EZ) virus strain and are among the safest measles vaccines in the world. These vaccines have been administered successfully as an aerosol without any reported side effects.
Due to their safety profile, vaccines based on the recombinant measles virus vector could also potentially be used to protect children against a number of different diseases—such as measles, malaria and AIDS—with a single immunization. Recombinant measles virus vaccines are among the safest of the new generation of live recombinant multivalent vaccines.
Crucell’s production experience with the standard measles virus vaccine allows the cost-effective and efficient manufacture of large quantities of recombinant measles virus vectors.
The live recombinant measles virus vaccine induces long-lasting immunity against measles after a single administration. Vaccine candidates against hepatitis B, HIV, West Nile virus and the respiratory virus SARS have been constructed successfully using the measles virus vector. In preclinical vaccine models, this vector has induced potent neutralizing antibodies and cellular immunity. The immune responses elicited by the recombinant measles virus vector were long-lasting and comparable to the parenteral (injectable) measles virus vaccine.