Why is measles, this contagious disease, not harmless?

2023-11-21 16:12:00

Measles is far from being eradicated! The WHO (World Health Organization) even considers that it constitutes a threat that continues to grow in 2023 (source 1). In France, thanks to the vaccination obligation in force since 2018, epidemic outbreaks which regularly affected France have weakened. However, they have not disappeared. This is evidenced by the outbreak of cases experienced in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region since last September.

Infants and young adults most affected by measles

Considered – wrongly – as a childhood illness, measles mainly affects infants aged less than 12 months, still too young to have benefited from vaccination, but also the population aged 20-30. These young adults are generally subjects who were not vaccinated as children or who only received a single dose of vaccine. s

Infants and young adults also constitute the two age groups most affected by serious complications of measles.

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease, for which there is no specific curative treatment. It is easily transmitted, regardless of the hygiene measures put in place. Almost anyone who is exposed finds themselves affected: a sick person can thus contaminate fifteen to twenty unvaccinated people.

Complications of measles: possible hospitalization

Measles generally results in episodes of diarrhea and ear infections. However, complications can occur: pneumonia, laryngitis, and especially acute encephalitis.

Ces complicated forms of measles are serious and can lead to hospitalization or even death. Several dozen cases ofencephalitis have been identified in France by Public Health France.

Furthermore, measles causes lasting general fatigue, favoring infections in the months following the illness through a temporary drop in immunity.

The MMR vaccine becomes compulsory for children under 2 years old

The measles vaccination is effective and well tolerated; contraindications are very rare. THE vaccin trivalent ROR (for measles, mumps, rubella) is 100% reimbursed for children up to 17 years old. Beyond that, it is reimbursed at 65%.

The first dose of vaccine is recommended at the age of 12 months. The second dose should be administered between 16 and 18 months of age.

This vaccination, long only recommended in France, has become compulsory for children under 2 years old since January 1, 2018.

Two doses of vaccine for unvaccinated young adults

Vaccination coverage among young adults, a population particularly affected by measles complications, has also been strengthened. Two doses of vaccine, instead of a single dose, are now recommended for any unvaccinated person born following 1980. The new vaccination obligation does not, however, target young adults.

Vaccination coverage that remains insufficient

According to the French public authorities, the vaccination coverage remains insufficient, and allows the virus to continue to circulate in our country. A problem also singled out by the WHO to explain an 18% jump in measles cases worldwide in 2022 (source 1): “This increase in epidemic outbreaks and deaths due to measles is very impressive, but it is, unfortunately, not surprising given the drop in vaccination rates observed in recent years. »

If the global vaccination coverage rate for the first dose has increased and is now at 83%, it is still well below “the 95% coverage level necessary to protect communities once morest epidemics” that the WHO recommends.

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