Lay summary
The current measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) is effective at preventing infection, but vaccination rates are not high enough to provide herd immunity to protect those who cannot receive MMR, including those with severely impaired immune systems, pregnant people, and young infants. Alternative vaccines are required for these vulnerable individuals, especially for measles where risk of disease outbreak is high. Based on evidence that mRNA-based vaccines can be effective in these vulnerable groups, we will design and test a new measles vaccine in relevant pre-clinical models. As Māori and Pacific peoples are overrepresented among the vulnerable groups, we will seek opinions from these communities on design of information resources for future vaccine recipients. By the end of the project we will have a vaccine and information resources ready for clinical trials. A successful product would be used as an alternative to MMR for vulnerable individuals in a measles outbreak.