Kerala’s Measles Outbreaks Prompt Urgent Review of Vaccination Strategies
Kerala is facing measles outbreaks, prompting health experts to reassess the disease's epidemiology due to cases now seen across all age groups.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Nov 8: Kerala is experiencing measles outbreaks, particularly in Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad, prompting health experts to call for a reassessment of the disease’s epidemiology. Traditionally affecting children aged one to five, measles now targets various age groups, including vaccinated individuals and infants under nine months.
As of November 6, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme reported 824 confirmed cases and 1,681 probable cases in the state, with five deaths linked to measles, one of which has been confirmed. The last significant outbreak occurred between 2022 and 2023.
The measles vaccination was introduced in Kerala’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in 1985, initially with a single dose at nine months. A second dose was added in 2010 to address immunity gaps. However, the current outbreaks raise questions about this vaccination schedule’s effectiveness.
K.K. Purushothaman, former Professor of Paediatrics at Government Medical College, Thrissur, said, “In recent epidemics, we have seen a good number of infants developing measles before nine months.” He suggested adding another measles vaccine dose for adolescents or women before marriage and called for serological studies to assess immunity levels in these populations.
This concern aligns with findings from recent outbreaks in Mumbai, where many cases involved infants under nine months, indicating that many mothers lacked sufficient measles antibodies to protect their babies.
Research from the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology further questions the effectiveness of current vaccination protocols. A study involving 684 vaccinated children found that 8.5% lacked protective antibody levels, with some children testing positive for recent infection indicators. While about 95% received the first dose of the measles-rubella vaccine, the second dose coverage is lower, ranging from 85% to 88%, raising concerns about incomplete immunization contributing to the outbreaks.
Experts emphasize that high vaccination rates do not always ensure population immunity. The WHO’s elimination strategy depends on consistent two-dose coverage, effective surveillance, and swift responses to outbreaks. Thus, comprehensive epidemiological investigations are essential to understand the outbreak’s dynamics and the current vaccination strategy’s effectiveness.
Sources
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.