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Sero-response to measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign in Saudi Arabia
Yagob Y Al-Mazrou1, Mohamed K Khalil, Salah Tumsah
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. yalmazrou@hotmail.com
Insights
The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign successfully boosted antibody levels in Saudi primary school children. This vaccination effort significantly increased protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, preventing potential school epidemics.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles, mumps, and rubella pose significant risks to primary school children.
- Vaccination campaigns are crucial for disease prevention in school settings.
- Evaluating vaccine effectiveness is essential for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine campaign on primary school children in Saudi Arabia.
- To determine the pre- and post-vaccination antibody levels against measles, mumps, and rubella.
- To evaluate the campaign's effectiveness in enhancing protective immunity.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 150 primary school children (grades 1 and 6) before and after the MMR vaccination campaign.
- Antibody levels against measles, mumps, and rubella were measured using enzyme immunoassay and plaque neutralization tests.
- Assays were conducted at the Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Main Results:
- Pre-vaccination protection levels against measles ranged from 96%-98%.
- Significant differences in measles antibody titers were observed between first and sixth graders before vaccination.
- Post-vaccination, 100% protection was achieved for all three antigens, with a significant increase in antibody titers.
Conclusions:
- The MMR vaccine campaign effectively increased protective antibody levels in primary school children.
- The campaign demonstrated a significant boosting effect on immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella.
- The vaccination initiative is vital for preventing measles, mumps, and rubella outbreaks in schools.
Objective:
To evaluate the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign targeting primary school children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the months of January and February 2000.
Methods:
Pre and post measles-mumps-rubella vaccine blood samples were collected from 54 children from the first grade and 96 children from the 6th grade. Antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella were assayed using enzyme immunoassay and a backup test of plaque neutralization test. This assay was carried out at the Reference Center, Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Results:
When the backup test results were added, 96%-98% of children had protection level against measles before the campaign. It is interesting to notice that pre-vaccination measles mean titer and positivity rate with enzyme linked immunoassay in the first grade were significantly lower than the 6th grade. One hundred percent and 96.8% were positive for rubella antibody before the campaign, in the first and 6th grades. Seventy-seven percent and 67% were positive for mumps before the campaign, in the first and 6th grade. After the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign, protection rate reached 100% for the 3 antigens with a statistically significant boosting effect and increase in geometric mean of the titre.
Conclusion:
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign was effective in increasing protective levels and boosting antibodies against the 3 targeted diseases which can prevent epidemics in the primary schools.