Effect of vitamin A supplementation on measles-specific antibody levels in Guinea-Bissau

We have previously reported that vitamin A supplementation with measles vaccine at age 9 months increases measles-specific antibody concentrations In children at age 18 months compared with placebo. We examined these children when they reached age 6-8 years. Fewer vitamin A-supplemented children had non-protective antibody concentrations (p=0.0095); among children with protective antibody levels, vitamin A-supplemented children tended to have higher geometric mean antibody titres (p=0.09). Thus, simultaneous administration of vitamin A and measles vaccine at age 9 months had a long-term effect on measles-specific antibody levels and may contribute to Improved measles control In less-developed countries.