Zydus MR Vaccine

Zydus MR Vaccine — safe, effective defence against measles and rubella

MR Vaccine is a freeze dried, live attenuated viral vaccine developed and manufactured by Zydus Lifesciences. The vaccine contains NLT 1000 CCID50 per dose for Edmonston Zagreb strain of live attenuated Measles virus and RA27/3 strain of live attenuated rubella virus propagated on Human Diploid Cells. The vaccine is supplied with diluent used for reconstitution of freeze-dried vaccine.

Key Features
  • Bivalent Protection: Combines protection against two serious viral diseases in one shot. Measles can cause severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, while rubella (German measles) is particularly dangerous during pregnancy, leading to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) with risks of birth defects, deafness, and developmental issues.
  • Made-in-India Solution: Supports national immunization programs aiming for measles and rubella elimination. The vaccine is being supplied to the Indian Universal Immunization program since 2025 and has already contributed to the well-being of millions of infants in the country.
Target Population

Indicated for active immunization in children from 9 months of age and older against measles and rubella simultaneously. It aligns with many national schedules where the first dose is given at 9–12 months, with a second dose (often as MMR) later in childhood.

Administration
  • Dose: 0.5 ml after reconstitution with the supplied diluent.
  • Route: Subcutaneous injection, usually in the anterolateral thigh (for infants/young children) or upper arm (older children).
  • Schedule: Single dose provides initial immunity (appearing in 4–6 weeks). Follow national or paediatric guidelines for booster doses.
  • Presentation: Approved in three presentations
    • Single dose vial: Use immediately after reconstitution
    • Multidose vial (5 doses) supplied with VVM 14: Use within 6 hours after reconstitution
    • Multidose vial (10 doses) supplied with VVM 14: Use within 6 hours after reconstitution

Store at 2°C to 8°C before and after reconstitution. Protect from light.

Safety and Efficacy

MR vaccine has been evaluated in multiple clinical trials (Phase I to IV) and post-marketing surveillance involving thousands of participants, including co-administration studies with Typhoid Vi conjugate vaccine.

The vaccine was found well tolerated. Common side effects are mild and transient, such as low-grade fever, mild rash, injection site redness/swelling/pain, or irritability.

The vaccine was found well tolerated. Common side effects are mild and transient, such as low-grade fever, mild rash, injection site redness/swelling/pain, or irritability. It is contraindicated in individuals with hypersensitivity to any component of vaccine, severe immunosuppression, or pregnancy.

As a reliable bivalent MR vaccine from Zydus Lifesciences, it plays a vital role in protecting children and communities from measles and rubella, contributing to public health goals of disease control and elimination.

Publication
  • Rao SN, Ambike D, Patil M, Mankar SV, Verma N, Hanumante N, Sarangi L, Mitra M, Preeti G, Deshmukh BJ, Nanoti G, Faridi MMA, Daultani P, Mittal R, Maithal K, Kansagra K, Parmar DV, Kunnathamman R, Elaiyaraja M, Dutta T, Mahajan M, Desai S. Immunogenicity and Safety Results of a Randomized, Three-Arm, Phase IV Clinical Trial of Concomitant Administration of Typhoid Vi Conjugate Vaccine with Measles and Rubella Vaccine in Healthy Infants. Viruses. 2025 Sep 12;17(9):1237. doi: 10.3390/v17091237. PMID: 41012665; PMCID: PMC12474091.