Measles Vaccination Immunogenicity and Association with Caste in Chandigarh, India

Measles affects those of lower socioeconomic status disproportionately. This study evaluated the impact of measles vaccination on antibody titers 3 months after vaccination across different socioeconomic groups, with a focus on caste. In total, 169 infants in Chandigarh, India, had serum samples collected immediately prior to vaccination at 9 months of age and 3 months later. Overall, 126 infants (76%) were seropositive (antibody titers > 12 mIU/mL), 26 (16%) were borderline (8-12 mIU/mL), and 14 (8%) were seronegative (< 8 mIU/mL). Seropositivity (versus borderline/seronegative infants) was 0.78 times as high among individuals from the historically marginalized scheduled castes/scheduled tribes compared with the others caste grouping (95% CI, 0.62-0.98). Antibody response was not tied to anthropometric measures but was attenuated among scheduled castes/scheduled tribes with higher incomes. This study provides observational evidence that social structures can be associated with individual immune responses.