LEVY MWANAWASA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

NAME: ETHEL NAYAME

PROGRAME: BSC PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION

SIN: 190 200 967

LECTURER’S NAME: MR. J .CHAMA

COURSE NAME: COMMUNICABLE AND NON COMMUNICABLE DISESES

COURSE CODE: CNC 301

DATE: 24/05/2021

ASSIGNMENT: 1

1. Who is supposed to be vaccinated against measles and why

2. When is measles vaccine supposed to be given? Zambian protocol
3. Explain the two measles vaccines used in Zambia and how the influence immunity

Copyright @2021
INTRODUCTION

Measles is caused by a virus and is spread from person to person through air by infectious
droplets. It takes an average of 10–12 days from exposure to the first symptom, which is usually
fever. The measles rash doesn’t usually appear until approximately 14 days after exposure, 2–3
days after the fever begins, symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, “pink
eye,” and a rash. The rash usually lasts 5–6 days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and
upper neck, and proceeds down the body, its more common among very young children (younger
than five years) and adults (older than 20 years) . Diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia is the most
common complication of measles especially in young children. This serious complication can
lead to permanent brain damage and during pregnancy it increases the risk of premature labor,
miscarriage, and low-birth-weight infants, it can also be severe in persons with compromised
immune systems. Measles is more severe in malnourished children, particularly those with
vitamin A deficiency. However, in this assignment I will discuss measles, who is supposed to be
vaccinated and why, lastly, when is one supposed to be vaccinated and explain two vaccines
used in Zambia.

Measles is diagnosed by a combination of the patient’s symptoms and by laboratory tests and in
this vain there is no specific treatment for measles. People with measles need bed rest, fluids, and
control of fever. Patients with complications may need treatment specific to their problem.

Who is supposed to be vaccinated against measles and why

Persons who are working in a healthcare facility should be considered for revaccination with 2
doses of Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine because they are at much higher risk for being
exposed to disease than is the general population. Making sure that all health workers are
immune to these diseases to protect both the employee and the patients with whom he or she may
have contact.

CDC recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12
through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Children can receive
the second dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
Students at secondary school educational institutions who do not have presumptive evidence of
immunity need two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

Adults with probable evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.
Certain adults may need 2 doses that are going to be in a setting that postures a high risk for
measles or mumps transmission.

Ideally people 6 months of age and older who will be traveling internationally should be
protected against measles. Before any international travel—

 Infants 6 through 11 months of age should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Infants
who get one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday should get two more doses
(one dose at 12 through 15 months of age and another dose separated by at least 28 days).
 Children 12 months of age and older should receive two doses of MMR vaccine,
separated by at least 28 days.
 Teenagers and adults who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity against
measles should get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.

Women of childbearing age should be vaccinated before they get pregnant. Women of
childbearing age who are not pregnant and do not have evidence of immunity should get at least
one dose of MMR vaccine.

When is measles vaccine supposed to be given? Zambian protocol

The routine childhood immunization schedule in Zambia recommends administration of measles

containing vaccine (MCV1), at 9 months and MCV2 at 18 months. The World Health
Organization (WHO) also recommends that a child receive the first dose of (MCV1) at 9 months.
MCV1 can be administered at 6 months if the infant lives in an area experiencing a measles
outbreak, is classified as an internally displaced person or a refugee, or is born with HIV.  

Explain the two measles vaccines used in Zambia and how the influence immunity

The two vaccines used in Zambia are the measles vaccine which has been used all along and
measles rubella vaccine which was launched in September, 2018. Zambia launched a national
immunsation campaign using a combined measles and rubella vaccine targeting all children
between the ages of 9 months and 15 years. Measles vaccine provokes both neutralizing and non-
neutralizing antibodies against different measles virus proteins, as well as measles-specific
cellular immunity, with limited correlation between measures of the humoral and cellular
weapons of immunity.

Conclusion

The control and eventual eradication of measles and rubella partly hinge on the ability to
vaccinate all children to avoid pool of susceptible children to increase that could lead to
epidemics. While it is evident that Zambia is making progress towards achieving the 95% WHO
recommended vaccination coverage, much work must be done to improve MCV2 coverage.
There is need to increase coverage in the distribution of MR vaccine to ensure that all children
receive the vaccine. Health education and promotion activities must be conducted in
communities to ensure that the concept of immunization is well received so that deliberate efforts
will be applied to ensure that children are vaccinated.
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