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Measles, mumps, rubella prevention: how can we do better?
Florence Kauffmann1, Catherine Heffernan2, François Meurice1,3
1GSK, Avenue Fleming 20, 1300 Wavre, Belgium.
Introduction:
Measles, mumps, and rubella incidence decreased drastically following vaccination programs' implementation. However, measles and mumps' resurgence was recently reported, outbreaks still occur, and challenges remain to control these diseases.
Areas Covered:
This qualitative narrative review provides an objective appraisal of the literature regarding current challenges in controlling measles, mumps, rubella infections, and interventions to address them.
Expert Opinion:
While vaccines against measles, mumps, and rubella (including trivalent vaccines) are widely used and effective, challenges to control these diseases are mainly related to insufficient immunization coverage and changing vaccination needs owing to new global environment (e.g. traveling, migration, population density). By understanding disease transmission peculiarities by setting, initiatives are needed to optimize vaccination policies and increase vaccination coverage, which was further negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. Also, awareness of the potential severity of infections and the role of vaccines should increase. Reminder systems, vaccination of disadvantaged, high-risk and difficult-to-reach populations, accessibility of vaccination, healthcare infrastructure, and vaccination services management should improve. Outbreak preparedness should be strengthened, including implementation of high-quality surveillance systems to monitor epidemiology. While the main focus should be on these public health initiatives to increase vaccination coverage, slightly more benefits could come from evolution of current vaccines.
Insights
Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination programs have reduced disease incidence. However, challenges like low immunization coverage and evolving global factors necessitate optimized vaccination strategies to control resurgent outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Vaccination programs significantly reduced measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) incidence.
- Recent resurgence of measles and mumps highlights ongoing challenges in disease control.
- Outbreaks persist despite the availability of effective MMR vaccines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an objective appraisal of current challenges in controlling measles, mumps, and rubella infections.
- To review interventions aimed at addressing these persistent infectious disease challenges.
- To analyze factors hindering effective disease control despite widespread vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative narrative review of existing literature.
- Appraisal of studies on measles, mumps, and rubella control strategies.
- Analysis of factors influencing immunization coverage and disease transmission.
Main Results:
- Insufficient immunization coverage and evolving global factors (travel, migration, density) are key challenges.
- The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted vaccination coverage.
- Optimizing vaccination policies, increasing awareness, and improving access are crucial.
Conclusions:
- Strengthening public health initiatives to boost vaccination coverage is paramount.
- Improving surveillance systems and outbreak preparedness is essential.
- Enhancements in vaccination services, targeting high-risk populations, and potentially evolving vaccines can further improve control.
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