Controlled epidemiological study of live measles vaccines in Poland

Two types of live measles vaccine, the Schwarz and the L-16 vaccines, were tested in a controlled study. The control group consisted of children who were not vaccinated. Altogether 851 children were included in the trial.Observations of clinical symptoms between the 5th and 15th days after vaccination showed that both vaccines were similar with regard to reactions, and no clinical evidence of objections to their use was discovered.The geometric mean antibody titres after vaccination with the Schwarz and L-16 vaccines were not significantly different (1: 132 and 1: 100, respectively). Significant differences were found when the percentages of serological conversions were compared-Schwarz, 97%; L-16, 82.9%.The epidemiological observations were carried out for 24 months from the date of vaccination and showed that the immunogenic properties of both vaccines are similar, the Schwarz vaccine being slightly better. Both vaccines protected more than 91% of children against measles for the period of observation.