Measles Resurgence: Could a Third Vaccine Dose Be the Solution?

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Measles is a highly infectious viral disease causing global public health concern.
• Recurrent outbreaks occur despite effective vaccination strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine multifactorial drivers of measles outbreaks.
• Summarize current two-dose measles vaccine recommendations.
• Evaluate evidence for a third measles vaccine dose.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of measles outbreaks and vaccination strategies.
• Analysis of immunological evidence for a third measles vaccine dose.
• Assessment of clinical protection and population-level impact.

Main Results:

• Some studies suggest a third measles vaccine dose enhances humoral and cellular immune responses.
• Evidence for durable clinical protection or population-level impact from a third dose is limited.
• Existing data are from small, context-specific studies.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening two-dose vaccination coverage is the primary measles control priority.
• Reducing vaccine hesitancy, improving surveillance, and closing immunity gaps are crucial.
• A third measles vaccine dose requires further large-scale effectiveness data for policy consideration.