Overall objective: To conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine whether an early two-dose measles vaccination (MV) strategy at 4 and 9 months will reduce child mortality compared with the WHO strategy of one dose of MV at 9 months. Specific hypotheses Hypothesis I) Two doses of MV at 4 and 9 months compared with the standard dose of MV at 9 months will reduce mortality by 30% between 4 months and 5 years of age1. As in a previous trial it is expected that the beneficial effect is strongest for girls. Hypothesis II) Children receiving MV at 4 months in the presence of maternal measles antibodies (MatAb) will have 35% lower mortality between 4 months and 5 years of age than children receiving MV at 4 months with no detectable MatAb. Implications: These hypotheses are based on a previous RCT showing strong beneficial effects of providing an early measles vaccine, in particular among children with MatAb.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Edmonston-Zagreb measles vaccine
Bandim Health Project
Bissau, Bissau Region, Guinea-Bissau
RECRUITINGMortality
Differences in mortality rates between the intervention and control groups
Morbidity
Symptoms of infection
Hospitalisations/consultations
Visits to health center for consultation due to illness, hospitalisation
Growth
Weight, length, arm circumference
Measles infection
Measles infection assessed by medical doctor and/or verified by blood samples
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