M-M-R®II manufactured using recombinant human albumin (rHA) and M-M-R®II manufactured using human serum albumin (HSA) exhibit similar safety and immunogenicity profiles when administered as a 2-dose regimen to healthy children

Prior to 2006, M-M-R®II (measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine live) was manufactured using human serum albumin (HSA) and each dose of the vaccine contained a relatively small amount (≤0.3 mg) of HSA. Because of specific regulatory requirements and limited suppliers of HSA acceptable for human use, there was a need to replace HSA with recombinant human albumin (rHA) to mitigate any potential risk to the availability of M-M-R®II. Two different formulations of M-M-R®II manufactured using either rHA or HSA were clinically evaluated for safety and immunogenicity when administered as a 2-dose regimen to healthy children 12-18 months and 3-4 years of age. Adverse events, including those indicative of a possible hypersensitivity reaction, were collected for 42 days after each dose. Antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella were measured before and approximately 6 weeks after dose 1. Antibodies to rHA were measured before and approximately 6 weeks after dose 1 and dose 2. Antibody seroconversion rates to measles, mumps, and rubella were 97.0%, 99.5%, and 99.7%, respectively, for recipients of M-M-R®II with rHA and 97.2%, 97.9%, and 99.6%, respectively, for recipients of M-M-R®II with HSA, and geometric mean titers to all 3 vaccine viral antigens were comparable between the 2 vaccination groups. The proportions of subjects who reported adverse events, including those suggestive of hypersensitivity reactions, after each dose of study vaccine were comparable between the 2 vaccination groups. No subject had detectable antibodies to rHA immediately prior to or following receipt of either the first or second dose of study vaccine. Given the comparable immunogenicity and safety profiles of both formulations, rHA is an acceptable replacement for HSA in the manufacture of M-M-R®II.