Measles Vaccine: Curbing the Global Outbreak
Address the urgent global measles outbreak with a fresh viewpoint: Explore the critical debate surrounding earlier measles vaccine administration for infants. New research reveals that maternal antibodies wane considerably, potentially leaving babies vulnerable within their frist few months. News Directory 3 investigates the recent findings from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute,which underscore the need for swift action,and potential solutions to protect against this highly contagious disease. Discover the multifaceted challenges of widespread vaccinations and the role of the measles vaccine in preventing further transmission. What innovative steps are researchers and health organizations taking to combat the rising cases and to ensure the safety of vulnerable infants? Discover what’s next to protect against measles.
Debate Urges Earlier Measles Vaccine Amid Global Outbreak
Updated May 29, 2025
A new review suggests the ongoing global measles outbreak should spark urgent discussions about administering the measles vaccine earlier in infancy. The highly contagious disease poses a significant threat,notably to young children.
The systematic review, spearheaded by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), indicates that vaccinating babies as young as four months warrants consideration. Researchers found that only 30% of infants in low- and middle-income countries retain protection from maternal antibodies by that age. This figure falls short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) proposal to administer the first measles dose between 9 and 12 months.
The WHO advises a two-dose measles vaccine schedule for all children.While many low- and middle-income nations administer the first dose at nine months and the second between 15 and 18 months, an exception exists. In outbreak scenarios, vaccination can begin at six months, supplementing the standard two-dose regimen.
The review, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, analyzed 34 articles encompassing data from 8,000 infants under nine months old in low- and middle-income countries. It revealed that maternal measles antibody levels, highest at 81% at birth, plummet to 30% by four months and 18% by seven months.
MCRI’s Dr. Lien Anh Ha Do noted that administering a first dose between four and seven months elicited a positive immune response and proved highly effective in measles prevention.
“With 70% of babies having no measles antibodies present by four months old they are being left unprotected before reaching a vaccine-eligible age at 9–12 months,” she said.
Dr. Ha Do suggested that an early measles vaccine dose could bridge immunity gaps,providing sustained protection throughout infancy. This could involve administering the first dose sooner or adding an extra early dose to the routine schedule.
Though, MCRI Professor Kim Mulholland cautioned that barriers exist, including cost-effectiveness, vaccine hesitancy, and the potential for reduced vaccine efficacy later in life.
“School-aged children are the key transmitters of the virus, so preventing infections during childhood is critical to limiting the disease spread and advancing measles elimination efforts,” he said.
Professor Mulholland also noted that an earlier first dose might lead to a quicker decline in measles antibodies.He added that administering a third dose would pose challenges, especially given the existing difficulties in delivering the second dose in low- and middle-income countries.
MCRI researcher Darren Ong emphasized that achieving herd immunity against measles requires at least 95% of the population to receive both doses.He added that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation by disrupting immunization programs and fueling vaccine hesitancy. The measles vaccine is crucial for global health.
Measles, a highly contagious airborne virus, disproportionately affects young babies who rely on herd immunity. Since early 2024, inadequate vaccination coverage has triggered significant measles outbreaks worldwide. The global measles cases reported neared 400,000 in 2024, with over 16,000 cases in the first two months of 2025.
MCRI Associate Professor Claire von Mollendorf stressed the need for innovative strategies to manage this global health crisis.
“There has been little improvement in global measles control over the past two decades and it’s likely the situation will only get drastically worse,” she said.
von Mollendorf advocated for rapid diagnostic testing to enhance surveillance and guide public health responses.She also called for randomized control trials to assess the effectiveness of earlier dosing schedules in protecting infants inadequately protected by maternal antibodies.
New Zealand recently recommended an additional measles vaccine dose for children as young as four months traveling to endemic countries.
What’s next
Further research and trials are needed to determine the optimal timing and dosage of measles vaccinations to maximize protection and minimize potential drawbacks, especially in vulnerable populations.