Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
08:52

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Published on: February 22, 2019

Outbreak of mumps in a vaccinated child population: a question of vaccine failure?

Corinne Vandermeulen1, Mathieu Roelants, Marijke Vermoere

  • 1Department of Youth Health Care, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35/1, 3000, Belgium. corinne.vandermeulen@med.kuleuven.ac.be

Vaccine
|July 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Mumps outbreaks in Belgium highlight issues with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. Even with recommended schedules, secondary vaccine failure may contribute to outbreaks in children.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination is recommended in Belgium with a two-dose schedule.
  • Despite vaccination efforts, mumps outbreaks continue to occur, posing a public health challenge.
  • An investigation into a mumps outbreak in Bruges, Belgium, involving 105 cases across seven schools.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the reasons behind a mumps outbreak in a pediatric population in Bruges, Belgium.
  • To assess the potential contributing factors to the observed mumps cases.
  • To highlight the role of vaccine failure in the context of the outbreak.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of mumps cases during an outbreak in Bruges.
  • Evaluation of vaccination coverage and schedules in affected schools.
  • Assessment of potential primary and secondary vaccine failure mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • 105 cases of mumps were registered in children aged 3-12 years across seven schools.
  • Factors contributing to the outbreak included suboptimal vaccination coverage and inadequate vaccination schedules.
  • Secondary vaccine failure was identified as a significant factor in the mumps outbreak.

Conclusions:

  • Suboptimal vaccination coverage and scheduling contribute to mumps outbreaks.
  • Secondary vaccine failure plays a crucial role in the resurgence of mumps despite vaccination programs.
  • Public health strategies may need to address vaccine effectiveness and scheduling to prevent future outbreaks.

More Related Videos

Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique09:37

Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique

Published on: September 23, 2022

Determination of Vaccine Immunogenicity Using Bovine Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells12:54

Determination of Vaccine Immunogenicity Using Bovine Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells

Published on: May 19, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Mismatch Repair01:36

Mismatch Repair

Overview
Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Mismatch Repair01:20

Mismatch Repair

Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires identifying the new strand and replacing the erroneous bases with correct nucleotides. Mismatch repair is coordinated by many proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...
Vaccines01:21

Vaccines

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the type of...
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...