Lewis RF, Braka F, Mbabazi W, Makumbi I, Kasasa S, Nanyunja M. Exposure of Ugandan health personnel to measles and rubella: Evidence of the need for health worker vaccination.
Vaccine 2006;
24:6924-9. [PMID:
17014938 DOI:
10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.126]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2006] [Revised: 05/17/2006] [Accepted: 05/23/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
With rubella and, until recently, measles highly endemic in Uganda, health personnel are at risk of these vaccine-preventable diseases and a source of transmission to patients. Measles and rubella serology (IgG) and history of exposure and vaccination were determined among 311 health care workers in a nationwide study. All tested positive for measles IgG, whereas 49.2% reported having been vaccinated. Rubella antibodies were present in 98.1% of personnel; 3.2% of women of child-bearing age were still susceptible. Increasing age and longer duration of service increased the risk of rubella infection. A national policy on health worker protection should include immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases upon entry to training.
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