The Long-Term Effects of Measles Vaccination on Earnings and Employment

Abstract

The measles vaccine was introduced in 1963. Take-up of the vaccine in the United States occurred quickly and universally, leading to reductions in morbidity and mortality. New biological evidence on how the measles virus interacts with our immune system indicates the impact of the measles vaccine may be underestimated. Using a difference-in-difference identification strategy, I find evidence the measles vaccine increased earnings and employment. Long-term follow-up of adults finds an increase in income of 1. 1 percent and positive effects on employment. This increase in income is not from an increase in hours worked but rather from greater productivity. (JEL I12, I18, J22, J24, J31)

Childhood Vaccinations and Demographic Transition: Long-term Evidence From India

“…Three studies estimate the potential long-term labor market benefits of receiving childhood vaccines. Atwood (2021) uses data on the rollout of the measles vaccine in the United States during the 1960s to show a 0.3% higher employment rate and 1.1% higher earnings in later life among individuals exposed to the vaccination program compared with those not exposed. Summan et al (2022) finds that 21-26-year-old adults who were exposed to UIP in childhood have 14% higher wages and 3% higher monthly per capita consumption expenditure.…”

A shot at economic prosperity: Long-term effects of India’s childhood immunization program on earnings and consumption expenditure

“…A live attenuated measles vaccine can induce an immune memory and reduce other infections (Pollard et al, 2017;Sørup et al, 2014). The protection provided against measles infection and the broader immunity gain could translate into improved brain development, schooling, and economic outcomes (Anekwe et al, 2015;Atwood, 2021;Driessen et al, 2015;Nandi et al, 2019b).…”

“…Previous studies of human capital development analyze only the link between vaccines and standardized test scores or schooling attainment, not earnings or consumption. To the best of our knowledge, Atwood (2021) is the only study to estimate a 1.1% increase in future income due to measles vaccinations, but in the context of the United States and not LMICs. A large volume of published work links nutrition or undernutrition, famine, air pollution, diseases, and war in early childhood with later-life economic outcomes (Currie and Vogl, 2013), and the literature on diseases focuses heavily on malaria eradication and deworming; little is known about the long-term effects of vaccines or other low-cost preventive health interventions.…”

Essays on the economics of childhood vaccinations

“…15 Previous studies of human capital development analyze only the link between vaccines and standardized test scores or schooling attainment, not earnings or consumption. Atwood 35 estimates a 1.1% increase in future income due to measles vaccinations, but in the context of the United States and not LMICs. A large volume of published work links nutrition or undernutrition, famine, air pollution, diseases, and war in early childhood with later-life economic outcomes, 27 and the literature on diseases focuses heavily on malaria eradication and deworming; little is known about the long-term effects of vaccines or other low-cost preventive health interventions.…”

“…76,77 The protection provided against measles infection and the broader immunity gain could translate into improved brain development, schooling, and economic outcomes. 20,35,62,64 A large body of literature finds improved schooling outcomes from decreased disease exposure. Analysis of in utero exposure to the 1918 influenza pandemic in Taiwan finds that a 0.1% increase in the maternal mortality rate reduces years of school completed by 2.5%.…”