Measles Vaccination Efficacy: Comparing Disease Severity and Complications in Kyrgyz Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Measles remains a global health challenge, particularly in regions with low vaccination rates.

Aim: This retrospective study examined measles progression in vaccinated and unvaccinated children in Kyrgyzstan during a resurgence between 2024 and 2025.

Methods: The study included 105 pediatric patients (aged 1-6 years) admitted to the Republican Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital in Bishkek, categorized by vaccination status: Group I (unvaccinated, n=55) and Group II (vaccinated with at least one dose of measles-containing vaccine, n=50).

Results: Clinical presentation, complications, and treatment data were collected from the medical records. Results showed that unvaccinated children experienced more severe measles (67.3% vs. 38.0%, p<0.01) and had more complications (67.3% vs. 48.0%, p<0.05) than vaccinated children. Fever duration, hospital stay, and antibiotic treatment were longer in the unvaccinated children (p<0.001). Vaccination was associated with a 59% reduction in severe disease (RR=0.409) and complications (RR=0.403). The most common complication was pneumonia, affecting 87.3% of unvaccinated and 86.0% of vaccinated children.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the protective benefits of vaccination in reducing disease severity and complications, emphasizing the importance of high vaccination coverage to prevent outbreaks.