Potential impacts of schedule changes, waning immunity and vaccine uptake on measles elimination in Australia

Vaccine. 2009 Jan 7;27(2):313-8. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.09.095. Epub 2008 Oct 31.

Abstract

The second dose of MMR vaccine (MMR2) is scheduled at 4 years in Australia and the USA but earlier in some European countries. We modelled the effect on measles elimination status and population susceptibility of shifting delivery of MMR2 from 4 years to 18 months using relevant Australian data. Susceptibility in young children was reduced but elimination was not sustainable past 2015 if 6% of vaccinated seroconverters became susceptible after 10 years. One-dose MMR coverage of 96% or greater maintained elimination more effectively than modelled changes in scheduling, suggesting that maximising one-dose MMR coverage should be the highest priority.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Susceptibility / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity / immunology
  • Immunization Schedule*
  • Infant
  • Measles / epidemiology
  • Measles / prevention & control*
  • Measles Vaccine* / administration & dosage
  • Measles Vaccine* / therapeutic use
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine* / administration & dosage
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine* / therapeutic use
  • Models, Biological

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Measles Vaccine
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine