Mumps in Poland since 1990 to 2003; epidemiology and antibody prevalence

Wieslawa Janaszek-Seydlitz1, Bozena Bucholc, Paulina Gorska

  • 1Department of Sera and Vaccine Evaluation, National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, Warsaw, Poland. wjanaszek@pzh.gov.pl

Vaccine
|March 23, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Mumps vaccination is not obligatory in Poland, leading to low antibody levels in many age groups. Increased private vaccination reduced cases but shifted infections to older children, indicating a need for mandatory mumps immunization.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mumps incidence in Poland (1990-2003) showed epidemic peaks every 4-5 years.
  • Mumps vaccination was not obligatory, though recommended and privately available.
  • Recent increases in vaccination rates (50%) impacted mumps epidemiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the serological status of mumps immunity in Poland.
  • To evaluate the impact of vaccination on mumps epidemiology.
  • To determine the necessity of introducing obligatory mumps vaccination.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of epidemiological data on mumps incidence (1990-2003).
  • Serological survey of 1390 serum samples to determine mumps IgG antibody levels.
  • Assessment of vaccination coverage trends.

Main Results:

  • Serological survey revealed low mumps antibody prevalence: 24.1% (1-4 yrs), 45.4% (5-9 yrs), 72.5% (10-14 yrs), and >85% (15-30 yrs).
  • Increased vaccination correlated with decreased mumps cases and longer inter-epidemic periods.
  • Infections shifted towards older children.

Conclusions:

  • Low seropositivity indicates insufficient population immunity against mumps.
  • Epidemiological trends and serological data support the need for mandatory mumps vaccination in Poland.
  • Obligatory mass immunization is recommended to control mumps outbreaks.

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