Measles outbreaks in developing countries could be reduced by vaccinating infants at 4.5 months of age in addition to the World Health Organization's recommended routine vaccination at 9 months, a new study has found.
According to researchers, these findings should lead to reconsideration of the policy for vaccination during measles outbreaks and in humanitarian emergencies.
Measles | Rubeola - Causes, Symptoms, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
Measles is a viral infection with symptoms of fever,and rashes. Measles is prevented by vaccination and staying away from the infected individuals.
Measles is a viral infection with symptoms of fever,and rashes. Measles is prevented by vaccination and staying away from the infected individuals.
This vaccination policy was based on children born to naturally infected mothers.
However, measles vaccination campaigns over the past 20-25 years in low-income countries have resulted in many mothers being immunised and transferring only half the maternal measles antibodies as naturally immune mothers.
Mumps - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis And Treatment - FAQs
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that typically causes a painful swelling of one or more of the salivary gland. Mumps most commonly occurs in children aged 2-12 years who have not been vaccinated against the disease. However, it can occur at any age. It was a common childhood disease before the development of the mumps vaccine (MMR vaccine).
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that typically causes a painful swelling of one or more of the salivary gland. Mumps most commonly occurs in children aged 2-12 years who have not been vaccinated against the disease. However, it can occur at any age. It was a common childhood disease before the development of the mumps vaccine (MMR vaccine).
As a result, a new group of children now exist who may lose their protection by 3 to 5 months of age and there may well be a need to provide measles vaccination at an earlier age.
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Giving an Additional Early Vaccination may Reduce Measles Outbreaks
Outbreaks of measles in developing countries may be reduced by vaccinating infants at 4.5 months of age as well as at the World Health Organization’s recommended routine vaccination at 9 months
Outbreaks of measles in developing countries may be reduced by vaccinating infants at 4.5 months of age as well as at the World Health Organization’s recommended routine vaccination at 9 months
1333 infants were randomised to receive either measles vaccination at 4.5 months of age (441) or nothing (892). At 9 months of age all children received a measles vaccination.
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Togo Children to Get Free Jab Against Measles
Togo has launched a major campaign to give free vaccinations against measles to more than one million of its children aged nine months to five years, health officials said Wednesday.
Togo has launched a major campaign to give free vaccinations against measles to more than one million of its children aged nine months to five years, health officials said Wednesday.
They found that early vaccination at 4.5 months of age offered more than 90 percent protection against measles infection and 100 percent protection against measles hospitalisation.
Before the initial vaccination at 4.5 months of age only 28 percent of the children had protective levels of maternal antibodies against measles. After this early vaccination 92 percent had measles antibodies at 9 months of age.
The researchers found that children vaccinated at 4.5 months and 9 months were better protected than those vaccinated only at 9 months.
The monthly incidence of measles was 0.7 percent in the children who received two doses and 3.1 percent in the children who received one dose at 9 months.
"If elimination of measles is planned it will be necessary in Africa to immunise as early as possible for many years", BMJ.com quoted the authors, as saying.
The study was published on BMJ.com today.
Source-ANI
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