Children born by cesarean section “are at greater risk of contracting measles as the vaccine is less effective for some”

CHILDREN born by caesarean section are at greater risk of contracting measles, a study suggests.

About a third of women have cesarean sections, whether planned or emergency.

Vaccination was 2.6 times more likely to be “completely ineffective” in caesarean section babies compared to those born vaginally.

They are, therefore, more susceptible to the disease.

Children in the UK receive one dose of the MMR vaccine – for measles, mumps and rubella – at one year of age and a second at three years and four months of age, as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 1,500 children in Hunan, China.

They found that 12% of children born by cesarean section had no immune response to their first measles vaccination, compared to just 5% of children born naturally.

Scientists theorized why C-section babies didn’t seem to develop strong antibodies against the vaccine.

They said this could be linked to the development of a child’s gut microbiome – the huge collection of microbes that naturally live inside the gut – which can be damaged when born by caesarean section.

Professor Salje said: “In cesarean birth, children are not exposed to the mother’s microbiome in the same way as in vaginal birth.

“We think this means it takes them longer to catch up in the development of their gut microbiome and, with it, the ability of their immune system to be primed by vaccines against diseases, including measles.”

A second measles vaccine was found to induce immunity, so the research team says it is “vital” that children born by caesarean section receive two doses for “robust” protection.

Professor Henrik Salje, from the University of Cambridge, said: “We know that many children do not receive their second measles vaccine, which is dangerous for them as individuals and the wider population.

“Babies born by cesarean section are the ones we really want to follow up on to make sure they get the second measles vaccine because the first shot is much more likely to fail.”

In the UK, less than 90 percent of two-year-olds have received one dose and 86 percent of five-year-olds have received two doses.

Coverage of 95 percent or more is required for herd immunity.

But global measles vaccination rates are the lowest they’ve been since 2008.

Commenting on the study, Alastair Sutcliffe, Professor of General Pediatrics at University College London (UCL), said: “This paper applies to a population where the vaccine is administered at a different age to the UK and supports our vaccine administration policies. when we do.

“It will be interesting to see if this observation is corroborated by work in other countries and if China changes the MMR vaccine schedule so that the risk of non-response is reduced.

“Currently, China has a different age of first vaccination than the UK or US, for example, and because of this has weaker risk coverage, however, this study could cause a rethink in public health policy in regarding the timing of MMR.”

The UK has seen a sudden rise in measles cases from October 2023, prompting health chiefs to urge parents to check their children’s vaccination status.

The UK Health and Safety Agency said in an update last week: “The rapid rise in cases seen in late 2023 was initially driven by a large outbreak in Birmingham, but activity there has now stabilized and in more recent weeks we have seen a rise in cases in London and smaller clusters ongoing in other regions.”

Since October 1, there have been 1,109 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in England.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “The MMR vaccine offers the best protection against measles.

“Measles is preventable, but many thousands of children across the country are still not fully vaccinated and may be at risk of serious illness or lifelong complications. No parent wants this for their children.”