Measles, polio and tetanus toxoid antibody levels in Gambian children aged 3 to 4 years following routine vaccination

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1995 May-Jun;89(3):326-9. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(95)90564-2.

Abstract

A nation-wide cross-sectional survey of 816 children 3-4 years old was carried out in The Gambia between September 1990 and July 1991 to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against 3 diseases included in the expanded programme on immunization: measles, poliomyelitis and tetanus. Among 689 children whose records were available, 94.5% were fully immunized. Measles vaccine was administered to 97% of the children and 91% of these had detectable antibodies at the time of the survey. Antibodies against type 1 and type 3 polioviruses, after up to 6 doses of oral polio vaccine, were present in 88.1% and 89.3% of the children respectively. Ninety-seven percent of the children who had received 4 doses of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine (DPT) and 91% of those who received 3 doses had detectable tetanus toxoid antibodies at the age of 3-4 years. This study shows that serological responses to EPI vaccines given in infancy persist at very satisfactory levels throughout early childhood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Gambia
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Measles / prevention & control*
  • Measles Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Poliomyelitis / prevention & control*
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Measles Vaccine
  • Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral