Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Kurubi, Jonah
• Vince, John
• Ripa, Paulus
• Tefuarani, Nakapi
• Riddell, Michaela
• Duke, Trevor

Titel

Immune response to measles vaccine in 6month old infants in Papua New Guinea

Ist Teil von

• Tropical medicine & international health, 2009-02, Vol.14 (2), p.167-173

Erscheinungsjahr

2009

Quelle

Wiley Online Library Journals Frontfile Complete

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• SummaryObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of the current measles immunization schedule in Papua New Guinea, which is to give the first dose at 6months of age and the second at 9months.MethodsHumoral immune response study of 140 Papua New Guinean infants at 6months of age, measuring measles IgG antibodies by enzyme immunoassay before and 85days after the 6-month dose of measles vaccine.ResultsAfter vaccination at 6months, 35.7% of infants developed a level of measles antibodies consistent with protection (IgG >330IU/ml); 17.7% had an antibody response (150-330IU/ml) that is likely to afford some protection; 46.8% had no detectable antibody response (IgG <150IU/ml). Among 53 infants with no antibody response, 37 (69.5%) developed an antibody response, while 42.4% (37/87) of those with maternal antibodies sero-converted (P=0.002).ConclusionsAntibody response to measles vaccine was lower than expected at 6months. While the presence of maternally derived antibodies accounted for some of the limited seroconversion in young infants, other factors are involved. Issues to be considered in determining the value of the first dose of measles vaccination in mid infancy in poor countries are complex and antibody responses are only one factor. Others, such as cell mediated immune responses, the non-specific protective effect of measles vaccine in preventing illness and death and the practicalities of uptake of vaccines at different ages, are also important.