The Global Virus Network (GVN), a coalition of the world’s leading medical virology research centres, has warned that more vaccinations are needed to combat a startling rise in US measles cases.
While measles was eliminated in the US by 2000, the Centre for Disease Control recorded 160 cases of measles in the first eight months of 2013.
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Many believe this is due to lax legislation resulting in a growing number of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children where state law does not apply.
GVN Center of Excellence director Dr Diane Griffin said that the most vulnerable in the US are those under the age of 12 to 15 months when the measles vaccine is usually given.
"The most vulnerable in the US are those under the age of 12 to 15 months when the measles vaccine is usually given," Griffin said. "Infants are therefore at the highest risk. Those who do not vaccinate their own children place infants of other families at risk as well as their own children."
The GVN Centers of Excellence are currently working to improve the measles vaccine and better understand the complications of measles for the global population.
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By GlobalData"While the two dose regimen provides protection for populations when delivered appropriately a single dose regimen would be ideal and for developing countries a vaccine that did not need refrigeration or require a needle and syringe would facilitate delivery," added Griffin.
One promising new solution involves a dry powder vaccine delivered by inhalation.
The dry powder vaccine uses the same safe live vaccine virus that is currently given by a shot but is given through a face mask, eliminated refrigeration and needles.
This version of the vaccine is effective in animal models and is currently being tested in humans.
