Sero-Surveillance of Measles Virus Seropositivity Amongst Vaccinated Children of Rural Areas of Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Measles remains a serious public health concern worldwide, and outbreaks persist despite large vaccination campaigns, particularly in low-income areas. This study seeks to contribute to the existing body of information by analyzing antibody levels in vaccinated newborns, determining the durability of protection, and identifying potential vaccination gaps. Understanding the measles seroprevalence in this specific area is critical in order to optimize vaccination strategies and ensure the continuous protection of vulnerable people in rural Sindh, Pakistan. Serum samples were collected from 173 children using standard sample collection protocol. Measles-specific IgG antibodies were quantified using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) at the Department of Microbiology Dow Diagnostic Research and Reference Laboratory (DDRRL).   The study recruited children with an average age of 41.3 months, evenly split between males (n=88) and females (n=81), all vaccinated as per their parents' records. The measles IgG antibodies seropositivity ratio in children among the vaccinated population was 53 (30.6%), and seronegative 120 (69.4%) out of 173. The study revealed alarming rates of measles susceptibility among vaccinated children in Pakistan, despite analyzing various factors, including demographics and socio-economic status, no significant associations with measles susceptibility were found. These findings emphasize the need for improved vaccination strategies to address deficiencies in immunity levels and mitigate the risk of measles outbreaks in the region.