Measles vaccines: WHO position paper, April 2017 - Recommendations

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Measles remains a significant public health concern globally.
• Previous WHO guidelines on measles vaccination were established in 2009.
• The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) reviews vaccine recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the updated World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for measles-containing vaccine (MCV) use.
• To provide guidance on MCV2 introduction, infant vaccination schedules, and vaccination of specific populations.
• To replace the 2009 WHO position paper on measles vaccines.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of recent scientific evidence on measles and measles vaccines.
• Discussion and deliberation by the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).
• Development of evidence-based recommendations for global immunization programs.

Main Results:

• Removal of introduction criteria for the routine second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2).
• Updated guidance on vaccinating infants starting at 6 months of age.
• Specific recommendations for re-vaccination of HIV-infected children on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).

Conclusions:

• The updated WHO recommendations aim to strengthen measles control and elimination efforts worldwide.
• These guidelines facilitate the adaptation of national immunization programs to current epidemiological evidence.
• The recommendations emphasize the importance of timely and effective measles vaccination across diverse populations.