Priorix vaccination
Priorix is a combined vaccine by Belgian manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline that provides simultaneous protection against three infectious diseases: measles, rubella and mumps. The vaccine has been used in Ukraine since 2000 and is included in the National Immunisation Schedule. Priorix is also indicated as emergency prophylaxis – if a child has been in contact with a measles patient, vaccination within 72 hours can prevent the disease or significantly reduce its severity. At Doctor Sam Medical Centre, vaccination is carried out following a paediatrician's examination, with full compliance with vaccine storage and administration requirements.
What does Priorix protect against?
- Measles – one of the most contagious infections in the world. Direct contact with an infected person is not required – the virus spreads through the air and can remain in a room for several hours after the infected person has left. In one third of cases, measles leads to complications: pneumonia, otitis, myocarditis, encephalitis. There is no specific treatment for measles – vaccination is the only reliable protection.
- Mumps (epidemic parotitis) – a viral infection that is often underestimated due to its relatively mild course in children. In reality, the virus can cause meningitis, encephalitis, hearing loss, and in boys – orchitis with a risk of infertility in adulthood. In girls, mumps can lead to ovarian inflammation and pancreatitis.
- Rubella – typically mild in children, but poses a serious risk to pregnant women. Infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can result in congenital heart defects, cataracts, deafness and damage to the child's nervous system, with the risk of miscarriage reaching 25%. This is why rubella vaccination is especially important for women planning a pregnancy.
Priorix vaccination schedule
According to the National Immunisation Schedule of Ukraine, Priorix vaccination is administered in two stages: the first dose at 12 months, and the second at 4 years. As of 2026, the age for the second dose has been updated from 6 to 4 years, ensuring that children develop full protection before starting nursery school.
If a child has missed a scheduled vaccination for any reason, there is no need to restart the course from the beginning. The paediatrician will put together an individual catch-up schedule based on the child's age and vaccination history. The minimum interval between two doses of Priorix is one month. Priorix vaccination is also recommended for adults who have not had measles, rubella or mumps and have no documented proof of vaccination. This is particularly relevant for women planning a pregnancy – rubella vaccination should be given at least one month before conception.
A separate case is emergency vaccination. If a child or adult has been in contact with a measles patient, administering Priorix within 72 hours of exposure can prevent the disease or significantly reduce its severity.
FAQ
Reactions after Priorix vaccination – what is normal
Priorix is a live vaccine, which means reactions may not appear immediately – they can develop 5–12 days after administration. This is a key difference from inactivated vaccines, where reactions typically occur within the first 1–2 days.
Typical reactions include a mild temperature rise, lethargy and reduced appetite. In some children, a light rash resembling measles or rubella may appear around days 7–10 after vaccination – this is a normal immune response that resolves on its own within a few days. The child is not contagious to those around them during this time. Local reactions – redness or mild swelling at the injection site – are less common than with inactivated vaccines.
Paracetamol- or ibuprofen-based fever reducers should be given when the child is clearly uncomfortable, rather than based solely on the thermometer reading. There is no need to treat the injection site with compresses or iodine – doing so may increase irritation.
Contact your doctor if the temperature exceeds 38.5°C and does not come down after two days, if the rash spreads across the body and does not fade, or if the child develops a cough, vomiting, seizures or becomes unusually lethargic. These symptoms may indicate a secondary infection rather than a reaction to the vaccine.
Priorix vaccination at Doctor Sam Medical Centre is carried out following a preliminary examination by a paediatrician. The doctor will assess your child's condition, answer all your questions and put together an optimal vaccination schedule. Call us: +380 97 312 92 91. Address: Kyiv, Kiltseva Road, 1, Respublika Park Mall.
