Resurgence of measles and mumps: not just a childhood problem

Sex and age as determinants of the seroprevalence of anti-measles IgG among European healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The international literature shows good evidence of a significant rate of measles susceptibility among healthcare workers (HCWs). As such, they are an important public health issue.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of susceptible HCWs in EU/EEA countries and in the UK and to explore the characteristics (sex and age differences) and management of those found to be susceptible.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of measles-susceptible HCWs was 13.3% (95 %CI: 10.0-17.0%). In a comparison of serosusceptible female vs. male HCWs, the RR was 0.92 (95 %CI = 0.83-1.03), and in a comparison of age classes (born after vs. before 1980) the RR was 2.78 (95 %CI = 2.20-3.50). The most recent studies proposed the mandatory vaccination of HCWs.

DISCUSSION

According to our meta-analysis, the prevalence of serosusceptible European HCWs is 13%; HCWs born in the post-vaccination era seem to be at higher risk. Healthcare professionals susceptible to measles are a serious epidemiological concern. Greater efforts should therefore be made to identify those who have yet to be vaccinated and actively encourage their vaccination.

Waning immunity of one-dose measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to mumps in children from kindergarten to early school age: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

In China, one dose measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) was administered to children aged 18-24 months. The mumps incidence was still high. Data on the waning immunity to mumps after MMR vaccination are limited. This study aimed to describe the waning immunity to mumps in kindergarten and primary school children to provide a scientific basis for confirming an optimal age for a second dose.

METHODS

An observational, prospective study on one-dose MMR in children in kindergarten and primary school was conducted from 2015 to 2016. Waning immunity to mumps in terms of seropositivity and geometric antibody concentration (GMC) with time was analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 7436 eligible subjects in kindergarten (3435) and primary school (4001) were included in 2015. The overall GMC (201.7 U/ml) and seropositivity (75.4%) to mumps antibodies in 2016 were significantly lower compared to those in 2015 (218.7 U/ml, 78.4%). Asymptomatic infection occurred within one year in 8.8% of children who received one-dose MMR.

CONCLUSIONS

Children who received one-dose MMR in kindergarten and primary school were at high risk of mumps infection, and waning immunity occurred with time. Determining the optimal age for the second dose of MMR in children should be prioritized to prevent mumps epidemics.