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Ten years of serological surveillance in England and Wales: methods, results, implications and action
1Immunisation Division, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London, UK.
Insights
UK serological surveillance using opportunistic serum samples monitors measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) antibody trends. This data informs national vaccination policies and public health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The UK initiated age-stratified serological surveys for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) antibodies in 1986/87, preceding MMR vaccine introduction.
- Annual serum collection and testing have enabled continuous monitoring of antibody trends and facilitated ad hoc infection surveys.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of opportunistic serum samples for ongoing serological surveillance.
- To present findings from recurring and ad hoc surveys conducted over a decade.
Main Methods:
- Residual sera are collected from participating laboratories and stored centrally, de-linked from personal data.
- Each serum is assigned a unique ID, with age and sex data stored in a database for access.
Main Results:
- Opportunistic serum samples have proven to be an effective resource for robust serological surveillance programs.
- Analysis of collected sera over ten years provides valuable insights into infection exposure profiles.
Conclusions:
- The serological surveillance program has established historical exposure profiles for numerous infections.
- Data generated have influenced national health policies and significantly shaped the UK's vaccination program.
Background:
The first age-stratified serological survey of antibody to measles, mumps and rubella in the UK was conducted in 1986/87 prior to the introduction of MMR vaccine into the immunization programme. Serum collection and testing have continued annually, allowing trends over time to be monitored. These sera have also been available for ad hoc surveys of other infections.
Methods:
Residual sera are collected in participating laboratories and sent to a central store where they are irrevocably unlinked from identifying data. A unique identity number is assigned to each serum and details of age and sex are collated on a database. The sera are accessed for testing as required.
Results:
The results of recurring and other surveys performed over the last ten years are presented. These demonstrate that opportunistic serum samples are an ideal resource for serological surveillance programmes.
Conclusions:
The serological surveillance programme has provided past exposure profiles for many infections. These data have resulted in a number of national policy changes and have been instrumental in shaping the UK vaccination programme.