Correlation between measles immunization coverage and overall morbidity and mortality for COVID-19: an epidemiological study

Abstract

We conducted the current analysis to determine the potential role of measles vaccination in the context of the spread of COVID-19. Data were extracted from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Health Observatory data repository about the measles immunization coverage estimates and correlated to overall morbidity and mortality for COVID-19 among different countries. Data were statistically analyzed to calculate the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rho). There was a significant positive correlation between the vaccine coverage (%) and new cases per one million populations (rho = 0.24; p-value = 0.025); however, this correlation was absent in deaths per one million populations (rho = 0.17; p-value = 0.124). On further analysis of the effect of first reported year of vaccination policy, there was no significant correlation with both of total cases per one million populations (rho = 0.11; p-value = 0.327) and deaths per one million populations (rho = −0.02; p-value = 0.829). Claims regarding the possible protective effect of measles vaccination seem to be doubtful.

Symptomatic COVID-19 in University Students: A School-Wide Web-Based Questionnaire Survey during the Omicron Variant Outbreak

“…The B cell cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2 antigens was also reported in MR-vaccinated children [24], and statistical correlation between the SARS-CoV-2-specific B cell activation and serum level of anti-measles antibody was suggested [22]. On the other hand, there are some negative data on the protective role of such live attenuated vaccines against COVID-19 outcomes [25] [26]. Our results warrant further investigation on unmeasured confounders or interactions (effect modifications) around the possible protective factor (MR vaccination).…”

Effect of Measles Immunity on the Prognosis of Acute COVID-19 Infection

“…A strong correlation was detected between the activation of memory T-cells during COVID-19 infection in individuals who had previously received these two vaccines [22]. However, in an epidemiological study that was conducted using the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory data, MMR vaccination rates of countries and the number of COVID-19 and death rates were compared, and it was found that vaccination did not have a protective effect on the disease [23]. In the study of Gold et al, no correlation was detected between Measles antibody titers and COVID-19 severity [24].…”