Immunological response to measles vaccination in poor communities

Cell-mediated immune response, antibody titres and morbidity were measured among children residing in a slum area following measles vaccination. Effect of malnutrition on the development of protective levels of antibody titres was also investigated. Of the vaccinated children 87 per cent had antibody titres above 1:8 and nutritional status had no influence on this. Cell-mediated immune response was similar before and after vaccination. However, morbidity due to other infections was less in vaccinated children compared to the controls and could be due to stimulation of non-specific host resistance mechanisms.