However, when a disease-tolerant
population introduces its germs to a virgin population, the immunologically
naive population suffers terribly while the disease-tolerant population remains
unaffected.
Measles and measles vaccine isolated amerindian tribes. I.
The 1971 Trio ((Tiriyo) epidemic.
van Mazijk J, Pinheiro FP, Black FL.
Measles in an unvaccinated virgin
population exacted a death toll of 4.2% which fell particularly hard on the
age groups which would ordinarily be protected by maternal antibody.
The organ system most affected was quite variable. When the virus spread to a
largely vaccinated village it caused only one death. Herd immunity seemed to
protect many who were not vaccinated. Vaccine failed to protect 7.7% of the
recipients. Some of these failures may have been due to erroneous record,
vaccination in the presence of maternal antibody or inactivated vaccine, but
most occurred in a few family groups related by genetics and similar past
immunological experience.
PMID: 7080183 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Natural History of Infectious Diseaseby Sir
Macfarlane Burnet and David O. White
The response of virgin populations of
man is attributable to their absence of specific immunity acquired in childhood
rather than to any genetic susceptibility.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
Links