Seroprevalence of measles and natural rubella antibodies among children in Bangui, Central African Republic

Vaccination history and blood samples were collected from 395 children using blotting paper. Samples were analyzed for the presence of measles-specific IgG antibodies using commercial ELISA kits.Measles-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 51.3% of vaccinated children and 27.6% of non-vaccinated children. Maternally derived measles IgG antibodies were present in only 14.8% of infants aged 0-3 months and were absent in all infants aged 4-8 months. The presence of IgG-specific measles antibodies varied among children of vaccination age, from 57.3% for children aged 9 months to 5 years, to 50.6% for children aged 6-9 years and 45.6% for chidren aged 10 years and above. The overall prevalence of rubella-specific IgG was 55.4%, with a high prevalence (87.4%) among children over 10 years of age.The findings suggest that despite efforts to accelerate measles control by giving a second dose of measles vaccine, a large number of children remain susceptible to measles virus. Further research is required to determine the geographic extent of immunity gaps and the factors that influence immunity to measles virus in the Central African Republic.Since 2000, significant progress has been made to reduce the global burden of measles. Nowhere has this achievement been more pronounced than in Africa. Through effective implementation of WHO- and UNICEF-recommended control strategies, the estimated measles-related mortality decreased by 90% in the African Region between 2000 and 2008. In particular, a second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) given during supplemental immunization activities played a vital role in raising population immunity levels, although routine vaccination coverage remains low and health systems weak.In spite of the gains, measles morbidity and mortality continue to be an important public health concern for Africa's impoverished children, who have poorer access to vaccination and curative services. Moreover, the recent resurgence of measles outbreaks, cas