Project Details

Verifying Antibodies after Live Immunization Delivery (VALID) in children with sickle cell disease

Alexandra Power-Hays, MD

Summary

BACKGROUND: People with sickle cell disease (SCD) have reduced splenic function and may have decreased protection after some vaccinations. The disease burdens of SCD and measles overlap in many parts of the world, including on the African continent, in India and South America, and in communities around the world with low vaccination rates, including in the United States which has recently had measles outbreaks. GAP: It is not known if children with SCD have decreased antibody production after measles or other live-virus vaccinations. HYPOTHESIS: The measles seroconversion rate in SCD will be within 10% of the established rates in children without SCD. METHODS: Verifying Antibodies after Live Immunization Delivery (VALID) is an observational, cohort study that will investigate seroconversion rates in children with SCD after measles and other live-virus vaccines. Participants with any genotype of SCD receiving care at sickle cell centers of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), USA; Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana; and Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), Mwanza, Tanzania will be eligible. RESULTS: Pending. IMPACT: Considering the geographic overlap of areas of high measles and SCD prevalence and the highly contagious nature of these infections, it is critical to determine if this vulnerable population is at increased risk of live-vaccine failure or if they need additional booster vaccines. Website Link: https://researchdirectory.uc.edu/p/powerhaa