KARACHI, Feb 16: In the wake of reported failure of measles vaccine, planners involved with the country’s ongoing Expanded Programme of Immunization are expected to recommend early inclusion of booster measles vaccine doses in the EPI regimen.

Prof D. S. Akram, from the Department of Paediatrics at Civil Hospital, Karachi, said this during a discussion on ideal age for measles vaccination, following a presentation by Dr Khalid Zuberi of Sindh Government Qatar Hospital highlighting the growing trend of measles vaccine ineffectiveness. The presentation was part of a symposium on “Vaccination strategy,” organized on the third day of the 16th International Paediatrics Conference on Saturday.

Dr Zuberi, highlighting details of a 12-month study conducted at his institution to determine the outcome of measles vaccine, said of the total number of 116 cases of measles included in the study, 53 per cent of all disease-positive cases over nine-months of age had earlier been vaccinated. In addition 11 babies less than nine months of age were brought to the hospital with measles during the study period. He said under the EPI guidelines, measles vaccine was being administered at nine-month age.

He suggested that to overcome the burden of measles, a highly infectious disease, it was necessary to carry out extensive community-based study to evaluate vaccine failure. He also stressed the need for a detailed evaluation of the vaccine-strain and a repeat booster dose at 15 months of age.

Prof A. G.Billoo, Head of the Paediatrics Department at Aga Khan University Hospital, taking part in the debate, told the audience that the World Health Organization was now recommending measles vaccination at six months of age in African countries, where it was a big problem, followed by a booster dose by the first birthday.

Earlier in the day, speaking on paediatric cardiology, Prof Emeritus, Kaleemuddin Aziz, of the National Institute of cardiovascular Diseases, emphasized the importance of regular monitoring of blood pressure in children. He said rapid urbanization was producing increasing incidence of obesity, high blood pressure and hyper-cholesterolism in the country.

Dr Mumtaz Lakhani, from Liaquat National Hospital, speaking on neonatal care, called upon the members of the Pakistan Paediatrics Association to adopt the neonatal resuscitation programme, initiated by Dr Shakeel Rizvi, for implementation at the national level. She said the measure would prevent birth asphyxia in the neo-nates and help prevent mortality and disability in the newborns.

An enthusiastic debate on the topic “Is the solution to micronutrient malnutrition through home available foods,” also formed part of the conference programme on Saturday. The event, organized by the Micronutrient Initiative, had two main speakers, Dr Mehr Taj Roghani from Peshawar in favour of the topic and Dr Lena Davidsson from Switzerland holding opposite views.

The conference, being participated by a very large number of national and international delegates, will end on Sunday.