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Mass vaccination programme aimed at eradicating measles, mumps, and rubella in Sweden: first experience
Insights
Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination in Sweden shows high seroconversion rates. Post-vaccination reactions like fever and rash are generally mild and infrequent, supporting the feasibility of disease eradication.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sweden introduced combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination in 1982.
- The national immunization schedule includes two doses at 18 months and 12 years of age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the MMR vaccine in a controlled field study.
- To assess post-vaccination reactions in children and adolescents.
Main Methods:
- A controlled field study involving 150 children aged 18 months using two MMR vaccine batches.
- Monitoring of seroconversion rates for measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Documentation of post-vaccination reactions, including fever and rash, in study participants and routinely vaccinated schoolchildren.
Main Results:
- High seroconversion rates: 96% for measles, 93% for mumps, and 99% for rubella, consistent across both vaccine batches.
- Post-vaccination reactions (fever, rash) were observed 5-12 days after vaccination, with varying severity.
- Significantly lower rates of fever and rash (3-10%) reported in routinely vaccinated 12-year-olds compared to the 18-month-old study group.
Conclusions:
- The MMR vaccination program in Sweden is effective in achieving high immunity levels.
- Side effects associated with the MMR vaccine are typically mild and infrequent.
- Mass vaccination is a viable strategy for the complete eradication of measles, mumps, and rubella in Sweden.
Abstract:
General vaccination with a combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine was introduced in Sweden in 1982. The immunisation schedule comprises two vaccine injections, given at 18 months and 12 years of age, respectively. A controlled field study was carried out in 150 children aged 18 months using two different batches of the vaccine. Seroconversion was seen in 96% against measles, 93% against mumps, and 99% against rubella--the same rates with both vaccine lots. Nevertheless, a difference was noted between the two batches with respect to postvaccination reactions. Fever and rash were recorded mainly five to 12 days after vaccination. Moderate fever (38.5-39.4 degrees C) was observed in 22 children, high fever (greater than or equal to 39.5 degrees C) in 33, and rash in 35. Preliminary results obtained by follow up of routinely vaccinated schoolchildren aged 12 indicated considerably lower rates of fever and rash during the postvaccination period, occurring in 3-10% of cases only. These findings show that complete eradication of measles, mumps, and rubella in Sweden is entirely practicable by the mass vaccination programme and that side effects of vaccination are likely to be few and mild.