Failure to protect children from measles could affect their immune system for up to three years and increase the risk of superinfection and early death.
Researchers at Princeton University (United States) have revealed that the measles virus attacks T lymphocytes, cells responsible for immune memory against diseases and prevents the body from protecting itself against infectious diseases in the long term.
“We already knew that measles attacks immune memory with an immunosuppressive effect for a brief period, but this work indicates that this immune system suppressing effect lasts much longer,” explained Jessica Metcalf, professor of ecology and biology. at Princeton University and co-author of this study.
“In other words, if you have measles, you can die from another infection for up to three years,” she explained.
This study also demonstrated that measles vaccination protects against this disease but not only. “Reducing the incidence of measles led to a reduction in mortality from other infectious diseases,” explains Jessica Metcalf.
Vaccination in France
The National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes) recalls that “all children must be vaccinated with two injections of MMR vaccine: the first at the age of 12 months and the second between 16 and 18 months. Even if this vaccine is not mandatory, it is 100% covered by health insurance for all children up to and including 17 years old. Then, it is reimbursed at 65%. And to interrupt the active transmission of the virus, all people born since 1980 who have not been vaccinated or who have only received a single dose of the vaccine (and who have never contracted measles) should carry out a catch-up vaccination”.
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