Seroconversion rate following measles vaccination.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the seroconversion rate following measles vaccination in Sri Lankan children.


METHODS
A descriptive study.


METHODS
Immunisation clinic, Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo (LRHC).


METHODS
134 infants who attended the LRHC for measles vaccination.


METHODS
Pre- and post-vaccination blood samples were collected and serum was tested for the presence of anti-measles 1gG antibodies using the ELISA technique.


RESULTS
Of the 134 infants only 102 were brought for the post-vaccination sample. Of these 102 samples, 101 were negative for anti-measles antibodies before vaccination. Of the 101 sero-negative samples 94 became sero-positive 6 to 8 weeks after vaccination. These results indicate that the seroconversion rate is 93.06%, which is similar to the results of studies done in other countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Most infants are susceptible to measles infection by the age of 9 months, and it is appropriate to vaccinate infants at this age, as is the practice at present. However, further studies are needed to assess the duration of protection with a single dose of measles vaccine.
Gunawardena
S
S
Department of Immunology, Medical Research Institute, Colombo.
Bandaranayake
V
V
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral