The, objective of the study was to compare the
effectiveness of measles vaccine by seroconversion
in vaccinated children with non-vaccinated children
of 6 to 8 months age group in a city slam community
so as to study the feasibility of advancing the age
of immunization. Live attenuated lyophilized
Schwartz strain of measles vaccine was used.
Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody was
estimated. Seroconversion was defined as either the
conversion of negative to positive or a two fold rise
in titre. One hundred and thirty two children
completed the study. There was no difference in
the age, sex and nutritional status between vaccinated
and non-vaccinated groups (p>0.7). The
seroconversion rate in the vaccinated group was
65% and in the non-vaccinated group was 26%.
The age, sex and nutritional status did not significantly
affect the seroconversion. Oar data suggest
that immunization with measles vaccine may be
effective as early as 6 months of age. Immunization
at 6 months may be needed at least for children in
densely populated areas like cities and towns
