Five million dollars to develop mRNA measles vaccine

Research to develop a new measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, using the same kind of mRNA technology as some Covid-19 vaccines, has been awarded an HRC Programme Grant, worth $5 million over five years.

An alternative vaccine would help Aotearoa New Zealand achieve ‘herd immunity’, which is when enough of the population is vaccinated, more than 95 percent in the case of measles, to effectively prevent viruses like measles from spreading to our most vulnerable whānau.

“While the current measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is highly effective at protecting vaccinated individuals against these viruses, current vaccination rates are not high enough to provide essential herd immunity to protect those who cannot be vaccinated,” says paediatric immunologist Dr Kuang Hsiao from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, who is a member of the research team.

The current MMR vaccine cannot be used in people with severely impaired immune systems and is not recommended in pregnant people. Also, MMR is less effective in infants, so is not routinely recommended before 12 months of age. In addition, Māori and Pacific communities are overrepresented among these vulnerable groups.

For these populations, alternative protective options are required to prevent a measles outbreak.

“Evidence has shown that mRNA-based vaccines can be effective in these vulnerable individuals,” says the Malaghan Institute’s Professor Ian Hermans.

The project, led by the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, will bring together multiple organisations representing diverse areas of expertise and combining both fundamental research and public health.

“With an international team involving clinicians, immunologists and Māori and Pacific researchers, we will develop an mRNA-based measles vaccine to give to vulnerable individuals in the event of an outbreak,” says Dr Hermans.

“As part of this work, we will explore with Māori and Pacific communities’ perceptions and beliefs about mRNA-based vaccines to support equitable access to the vaccine.”