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Updated: Jul 16, 2025
Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies
Published on: October 25, 2018
A single-dose strategy for immunization with live attenuated vaccines is an effective option before treatment
René Carvajal1,2, Carmen Tur1, Xavier Martínez-Gómez3
1Department of Neurology-Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (Cemcat), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
Mumps-Measles-Rubella (MMR) and Varicella zoster vaccines (VAR) are live attenuated vaccines, usually administered in a two-dose scheme at least 4 weeks apart. However, single-dose immunization schemes may also be effective and can reduce delays in immunosuppressive treatment initiation in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) who need to be immunized.
Objectives:
To evaluate the immunogenicity of a single-dose attempt (SDA) versus the standard immunization scheme (SIS) with VAR and/or MMR in pwMS.
Methods:
Retrospective observational study in pwMS vaccinated against VAR and/or MMR. We compared seroprotection rates and antibody geometric mean titers (GMTs) between the two strategies.
Results:
Ninety-six patients were included. Thirty-one patients received VAR and 67 MMR. In the SDA group, the seroprotection rate was 66.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 53.3-78.3) versus 97.2% (95% CI: 85.5-99.9) in the SIS (p < 0.001). For the seroprotected patients, GMTs were similar for both schemes.
Conclusion:
An SDA of VAR and/or MMR vaccines could be sufficient to protect almost two-thirds of patients. Testing immunogenicity after a single dose of VZ and/or MMR could be included in routine clinical practice to achieve rapid immunization.
