What is it about?
This study looked at how well the measles vaccine worked in children in Lusaka, Zambia. It asked: why do some children lose their protection against measles even after getting all their vaccines? The researchers tested 200 children who had been vaccinated. Some of the children were living with HIV. They checked their blood to see if the vaccine was still protecting them. What did they find? Older children (10–15 years) lost protection more often than younger children. Children with HIV were more likely to lose protection. Children who had been breastfed were better protected. Living in Lusaka city was linked to lower protection compared to living outside the city.
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Why is it important?
The study shows that some children might need an extra measles shot as they grow older, especially if they are living with HIV. It also shows that breastfeeding can help babies build stronger protection after vaccinations.
Perspectives
Even with good vaccination programs, some children still lose protection over time. To keep everyone safe, Zambia and other similar settings may need to think about extra booster shots and continue promoting breastfeeding.
Dr. Priscilla Nkonde Gardner
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Factors associated with measles vaccine immunogenicity in children at University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia, PLOS Global Public Health, April 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003954.
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