Health
Second measles shot recommended
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 6, 2007
HIV-infected children may require repeat measles vaccination, according to research published in the Aug. 1 Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Researchers found that only half of the children who survived without antiretroviral therapy maintained protective antibody levels 27 months after receiving the measles vaccine. By comparison, 89% of children without HIV maintained their immunity, as did 92% of the HIV-infected children who were revaccinated in a mass measles immunization campaign.
The World Health Organization recommends a second opportunity for measles vaccination for all children, either through repeated immunization campaigns or a routine second dose delivered through the primary health care system.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/08/06/hlbf0806.htm.
