A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Estimating the optimal age for infant measles vaccination
Authors: Goult, Elizabeth; Barrero Guevara, Laura Andrea; Briga, Michael; de Cellès, Matthieu Domenech
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication year: 2024
Journal: Nature Communications
Journal name in source: Nature Communications
Journal acronym: Nat Commun
Article number: 9919
Volume: 15
eISSN: 2041-1723
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53415-x
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53415-x
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/470969615
Additional information: Correction to this article: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59082-w ; DOI: 110.1038/s41467-025-59082-w
The persistence of measles in many countries demonstrates large immunity gaps, resulting from incomplete or ineffective immunization with measles-containing vaccines (MCVs). MCV impact is determined, in part, by vaccination age. Infants who receive dose 1 (MCV1) at older ages have a reduced risk of vaccine failure, but also an increased risk of contracting infection before vaccination. Here, we designed a new method-based on a mathematical transmission model incorporating realistic vaccination delays and age variations in MCV1 effectiveness-to capture the MCV1 age risk trade-off and estimate the optimal age for recommending MCV1. We applied this method to a range of synthetic populations representing lower- and higher-income populations. We predict a large heterogeneity in the optimal MCV1 ages (range: 6-20 months), contrasting the homogeneity of observed recommendations worldwide. Furthermore, we show that the optimal age depends on the local epidemiology of measles, with a lower optimal age predicted in populations having lower vaccination coverage or suffering higher transmission. Overall, our results suggest the scope for public health authorities to tailor the recommended schedule for better measles control.
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Funding information in the publication:
Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.
