November 14, 2006

Study finds JE and measles vaccine can be given together without interference

At this week’s meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, PATH presented Phase 2 study results that provide strong support for the introduction of JE vaccines into routine immunization schedules. A trial conducted in the Philippines determined that measles vaccine and the live, attenuated JE vaccine can be safely coadministered with no effect on the immunogenicity of either.

Healthy infants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group 1 received the live, attenuated JE vaccine at 8 months of age, followed by administration of measles vaccine one month later; Group 2 received both vaccines concurrently at 9 months; and Group 3 was given measles vaccine at 9 months, followed by live, attenuated JE vaccine one month later. Immunogenicity was measured by levels of pre- and postvaccination antibodies. The study found seroprotection against both diseases was comparable to that achieved when either vaccine is administered separately. The safety profile of coadministering the vaccines was also comparable to that of control groups, affirming the safety of the vaccines given together.

This study represents the first evaluation of the coadministration of vaccines against measles and JE. The results provide a significant foundation for the introduction of the live, attenuated JE vaccine into national immunization programs by establishing evidence that it can be provided with measles vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule without the need for an additional clinic visit.

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The PATH JE project is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.