Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0199 |
| Title: | Child Mortality after high-titre measles vaccines: prospective study in Senegal |
| Author(s): | Garenne M, Leroy O, et al. |
| Reference: | Lancet 1991; 338: 903-07 |
| Place of Study: | Senegal |
| Abstract: | In a prospective randomised trial in rural Senegal, children were assigned at birth to three vaccine groups: EZ-high-titre at 5 months (336 children); SW high-titre at 5 months (321 children) and placebo at 5 months followed by standard low-titre SW vaccine at 10 months (358 children). All children were followed for 24-39 months. The relative risk of death was 1.80 in the EZ group and 1.51 in the SW high-titre group compared with the standard group. The higher risk of death in the two high-titre vaccine groups remain significant in multi-variate analysis. Most of the deaths were apparently from common diseases in childhood in this part of Senegal (kwashiorkor, viral diseases other than measles, dysentery, acute respiratory infections). |
| Keyword(s): | measles vaccination, mortality rates, vaccination |
| Discussion: | Such a trial is a reminder that studies about vaccination should not evaluate only effectiveness and the risk of side effects. They should also consider the long term non specific effects on health. This is one of the rare examples of a prospective randomised control study of early vaccination. See entry 0122. |
| See Also: | 0122 |
Go Back | New Keyword Search