Kim YC, Nam H, Choi JY, Shin EC, Choi YH. The third dose of measles-containing vaccine induces robust immune responses against measles in young seronegative healthcare workers who had previous two-dose measles vaccination.
J Infect Public Health 2023;
16:1643-1649. [PMID:
37597451 DOI:
10.1016/j.jiph.2023.08.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Despite the low measles antibody positivity rate among young healthcare workers (HCWs) who have previously received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MCV), whether an additional dose of MCV acts as a booster remains unknown. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the immune responses to a third dose of MCV in young HCWs.
METHODS
Hospital-wide measles seroprevalence was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The immunogenicity of a third dose of MCV was determined in young seronegative HCWs (born between 1986 and 1997) who had previously received a two-dose measles vaccination.
RESULTS
A total of 3033 (92.6%) HCWs had anti-measles immunoglobulin G. The lowest seropositivity rate was observed in HCWs aged 20-24 years (87.7%). In this group, HCWs who received a third dose of MCV had higher seropositivity than those who received a second dose (89.5% vs. 75.4%). A third dose of MCV was administered to 18 HCWs who did not have anti-measles IgG despite two doses. Neutralizing antibody titers increased significantly 4 weeks after the third vaccination. Although neutralizing antibody titers decreased 1 year post vaccination, 17 (94.4%) HCWs had medium (121-900 mIU/mL) or high (>900 mIU/mL) levels. Furthermore, the third dose of MCV increased the measles virus-specific T-cell effector function.
CONCLUSIONS
The third dose of MCV induced a strong immune response against measles in young seronegative HCWs who had previously received a two-dose measles vaccination.
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