Sero-conversion after Second Measles' Containing Vaccine in a Selected Sample of Young Children

Background: This study aims to detect sero-prevalence of measles Immunoglobulin-G, antibodies, (IgG Abs) before versus after second measles containing vaccine (MCV2) among young children.

Methodology: This cross–sectional study was conducted in a selected primary health care centers (PHCcs), in Iraq. The study sample comprised 112 children, (66 males, & 46 females), aged 13 - < 24 months, selected at a random during their attendance for routine vaccination. The study sample subjected for estimation of measles IgG Abs titer before, and, (4-12) weeks after Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination.

Results: Seroprevalence for specific measles IgG- Abs before MMR vaccine (41.8%) was found among those infants, when sero-conversion rate estimated after MMR vaccination it was (92 .4%). The result reveals that seroconversion rate among children who had received MCV1 vaccine before was (96.8%), while it was 84.0% for those children did not have MCV1 vaccine before.

Conclusions: This study concluded that the two-dose schedule seems to increase the seropositivity rate, and recommended application of solid vaccination program with two doses of an effective & efficient measles vaccine, before the second year of age.