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Abstract

Objective: To determine the rate of sero-conversion after first dose of measlesimmunization in children less than one year of age and to find out association between seroconversionwith nutritional status, URTI, fever and diarrhea. Methodology: Descriptive crosssectional study of 6 month duration conducted at outpatient department, EPI center LUHHyderabad. Total 240 children between 9 to 12 months, who came for measles immunizationwere enrolled. Pre-vaccination blood samples were obtained along with assessment ofnutritional status, and current associated illness like pneumonia, diarrhea and fever of each child.The post vaccination samples were taken after 3 months. Measles antibodies were estimated byusing ELISA technique and titers were compared with controls supplied by manufacturers.Results: The effectiveness of measles immunization was 87.5%. Statistical analysis proved thatassociation sero-negativity with clinical condition was insignificant (Chi square test, P value >0.05). Regarding the pre-vaccinated status 222 (92.5%) were found negative for anti-measlesantibodies and 18 (7.5%) were found to be with persistent maternal anti-measles antibodies.Conclusions: Measles immunization produces adequate immunological responses evenamong malnourished children however a second dose is necessary to increase the efficacy morethan 95%.