A study conducted by the University of Cambridge, UK, and Fudan University, China, found that children born by C-section are up to 2.6 times more likely to have their measles vaccination be ineffective compared to those born naturally. If the vaccine fails, the child’s immune system does not produce antibodies to protect against measles, leaving them vulnerable to the disease. This highlights the importance of ensuring that children born via C-section receive their second measles jab to ensure robust immunity.
The researchers believe that the difference in effectiveness of the measles vaccine in C-section children may be related to the development of their gut microbiome, as vaginal birth transfers a greater diversity of microbes from mother to baby, boosting the immune system. The study emphasizes the long-term consequences of how a child is born on their immunity to diseases as they grow up. Failure to receive the second measles jab can pose a risk not only to the individual but also to the wider population by increasing the likelihood of an outbreak.
The study, published in Nature Microbiology, underscores the importance of maintaining high levels of vaccination to control diseases like measles. The UK, for example, falls below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity against measles, despite the MMR vaccine being available through the NHS Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme. With an increasing number of women opting for C-sections worldwide, understanding the implications on the child’s immunity becomes crucial in ensuring their health and well-being.
The researchers used data from previous studies involving over 1,500 children in Hunan, China, to investigate the immune response to the measles vaccine in children born via C-section compared to those born vaginally. They found that a higher percentage of children born by C-section, 12%, showed no immune response to their first measles vaccination, compared to 5% of children born vaginally. This points to the importance of monitoring and ensuring that children born via C-section receive the necessary vaccinations.
Two doses of the measles vaccine are necessary for long-lasting immunity against the disease. However, in 2022, only 83% of the world’s children had received one dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday, the lowest since 2008. Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant concern, especially for highly contagious diseases like measles, which can have serious complications if left untreated. The research underscores the importance of ensuring that children, especially those born via C-section, receive their vaccines fully and on time to protect against infectious diseases.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly through coughs and sneezes. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, major measles epidemics caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year. The research funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China sheds light on the need for proper vaccination and monitoring of children, especially those born via C-section, to protect against preventable diseases like measles and ensure overall public health and safety.
