Effectiveness of measles vaccination and vitamin A treatment

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#age-factors #child-preschool #dose-response-relationship-drug #dose-response-relationship-immunologic #female

Effectiveness of measles vaccination and vitamin A treatment

Sudfeld et al., 2010 | Int J Epidemiol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Sudfeld Christopher R, Navar Ann Marie, Halsey Neal A. Effectiveness of measles vaccination and vitamin A treatment. Int J Epidemiol. 2010-Apr;39 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):i48-55. doi:10.1093/ije/dyq021

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The current strategy utilized by WHO/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to reach the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2010 measles reduction goal includes increasing coverage of measles vaccine, vitamin A treatment and supplementation in addition to offering two doses of vaccine to all children. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental (QE) studies in order to determine effect estimates of measles vaccine and vitamin A treatment for the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). We utilized a standardized abstraction and grading format in order to determine effect estimates for measles mortality employing the standard Child Health Epidemiology Research Group Rules for Evidence Review. RESULTS: We identified three measles vaccine RCTs and two QE studies with data on prevention of measles disease. A meta-analysis of these studies found that vaccination was 85% [95% confidence interval (CI) 83-87] effective in preventing measles disease, which will be used as a proxy for measles mortality in LiST for countries vaccinating before one year of age. The literature also suggests that a conservative 95% effect estimate is reasonable to employ when vaccinating at 1 year or later and 98% for two doses of vaccine based on serology reviews. We included six high-quality RCTs in the meta-analysis of vitamin A treatment of measles which found no significant reduction in measles morality. However, when stratifying by vitamin A treatment dose, at least two doses were found to reduce measles mortality by 62% (95% CI 19-82). CONCLUSION: Measles vaccine and vitamin A treatment are effective interventions to prevent measles mortality in children.

Key Findings

We identified three measles vaccine RCTs and two QE studies with data on prevention of measles disease. A meta-analysis of these studies found that vaccination was 85% [95% confidence interval (CI) 83-87] effective in preventing measles disease, which will be used as a proxy for measles mortality in LiST for countries vaccinating before one year of age. The literature also suggests that a conservative 95% effect estimate is reasonable to employ when vaccinating at 1 year or later and 98% for two

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Age Factors
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Measles
  • Measles Vaccine
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin A Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09