title: Age of measles immunization in tropics.
abstract: Maternal immunity to measles was studied in a group of 500 newborn children and another group of 500 children aged one to 12 months, before vaccination. The geometric mean titer of detectable hemagglutination-inhibition antibody was 16 for newborn children. This titer was absent in most children aged 3 to 5 months. Our previous studies indicate that from 1970 to 1972, children from the lower socio-economic classes aged 5 to 9 months were the main target of measles complications and deaths. Based on the present data, we suggest that children in developing countries should be vaccinated as young as 6 months and should be revaccinated 3 to 4 months later to assure full protection.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007492:Iran; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008457:Measles / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated