According to a study by the University of Cambridge, UK, and Fudan University, China, children born by C-section have more than double the odds of measles vaccine failure. The researchers emphasize the importance of ensuring that these children receive two doses of the measles vaccine to effectively protect against the disease.
The vaccine’s failure results in the child’s immune system being unable to produce antibodies to combat measles infection.
Children born by C-section have been found to have a higher risk of susceptibility to measles due to insufficient immunity.
Research shows that a second measles vaccine for C-section children can provide strong protection against the disease.
Measles is a highly contagious illness, and even a small percentage of vaccine failures can significantly elevate the likelihood of an outbreak.
One potential explanation for this is the impact on the development of the infant’s gut microbiome, which is the wide array of microbes that naturally inhabit the gut. It has been demonstrated in other studies that vaginal birth results in a greater diversity of microbes being transferred from the mother to the baby, which can enhance the immune system.
“We have observed that the method of birth plays a role in the vulnerability of children to measles and the effectiveness of vaccination,” said the researchers.”Whether a person is born by C-section or natural birth has long-term effects on our immunity to diseases as we grow older,” explained Professor Henrik Salje, from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Genetics and joint senior author of the report.
He also noted that many children do not receive their second measles vaccination, which poses a risk to both individuals and the wider population.
Professor Salje emphasized the importance of monitoring infants born by C-section to ensure they receive their second measles vaccination, as their first vaccination is more likely to be ineffective.
The findings were published in a report.The latest issue of the journal Nature Microbiology published a study today. The study found that in order to control measles, at least 95% of the population should be fully vaccinated. However, the UK has not reached this threshold, even though the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is available through the NHS Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme. There is a growing trend of women opting for caesarean section births worldwide, with a third of births in the UK being C-sections, and over half of births in Brazil and Turkey being done this way. Unlike vaginal births, C-section births do not expose children to the mother’s microbiome in the same way.rth. Researchers believe that this delay in developing the gut microbiome could impact the immune system’s ability to respond to vaccines, such as those for measles,” Salje explained.
The researchers analyzed data from studies of more than 1,500 children in Hunan, China. The children’s blood samples were taken regularly from birth to age 12, allowing the researchers to track changes in measles antibody levels after vaccination.
The study found that 12% of children delivered by cesarean section showed a delay in developing their microbiome compared to those born vaginally.Many children born by C-section did not have an immune response to their first measles vaccination, while a small percentage of those born by vaginal delivery also did not have an immune response. This indicates that a significant number of C-section born children did develop an immune response after their first vaccination.
Two doses of the measles vaccine are necessary in order to establish a long-term immune response and provide protection against measles. The World Health Organization reported that in 2022, only 83% of the world’s children had received the first dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday, marking the lowest percentage since 2008.
Salje emphasized the issue of vaccine hesitancy, highlighting measles as a particularly concerning disease.The infectious nature of measles is a major concern for public health. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted through coughs and sneezes. The symptoms start with a common cold and are followed by a rash. In severe cases, measles can lead to complications such as blindness, seizures, and even death.
Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, there were frequent and widespread outbreaks of the disease, resulting in approximately 2.6 million deaths annually.
The National Natural Science Foundation of China provided funding for the research.
