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Medical and nursing students with suboptimal protective immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases
Ioanna D Pavlopoulou1, George L Daikos, Andreas Tzivaras
1Athens University, Greece. idpavlop@yahoo.gr
Insights
Healthcare students show varying immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases, with gaps in vaccination compliance. A targeted vaccination strategy is needed to reduce hospital transmission risks.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Healthcare students are at high risk of acquiring and transmitting infections in clinical settings.
- Evaluating the immune status of healthcare students is crucial for patient safety and infection control.
- Vaccine-preventable diseases pose a significant threat in hospital environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the vaccination history and serologic immunity of healthcare students.
- To identify gaps in immunity against key vaccine-preventable diseases.
- To inform the development of effective vaccination strategies for healthcare students.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary care children's hospital.
- Healthcare students underwent interviews for demographics and disease/vaccination history.
- Serum antibody levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Main Results:
- Only 70.1% of students had complete vaccination records.
- Immunity varied significantly, with low documented immunity for diphtheria (37.2%) and tetanus (49.3%).
- High immunity was observed for varicella (92.4%), measles (98.4%), mumps (89.6%), rubella (96.7%), and hepatitis B (84.4%), but low for hepatitis A (14.6%).
Conclusions:
- A notable proportion of healthcare students remain susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Incomplete vaccination compliance among healthcare students is a concern.
- Implementing targeted vaccination programs is essential to mitigate transmission risks in healthcare settings.
Objectives:
Medical and nursing students (hereafter referred to as "healthcare students") are at risk of contracting and transmitting infectious diseases in a hospital setting. The aim of our study was to evaluate the vaccination history of healthcare students and their serologic immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
A tertiary care children's hospital in Athens, Greece, which is affiliated with the University of Athens.
Methods:
Healthcare students were recruited during April through November 2007. The information obtained from these students during personal interviews included demographics and whether there was a history of varicella, measles, mumps, rubella, and/or hepatitis A or B virus infection. Vaccination history and documentation of disease were abstracted from available medical records. Serum antibodies against the above-mentioned viral agents were determined by use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seronegative students and those with immunization gaps were referred to local vaccination clinics, and compliance was assessed 3 months later.
Results:
A total of 187 healthcare students were recruited, 131 (70.1%) of whom provided complete documentation of vaccination history. Adequate immunity against diphtheria and tetanus was documented for 55 (37.2%) and 73 (49.3%) of the 148 participants, respectively, whereas age-appropriate vaccination against pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis was noted for 138 (93.2%), 147 (99.3%), 147 (99.3%), and 147 (99.3%) healthcare students, respectively. Of 185 healthcare students, 171 (92.4%) were immune to varicella. Of 182 healthcare students, 179 (98.4%) were immune to measles, 163 (89.6%) were immune to mumps, and 176 (96.7%) were immune to rubella. Of 179 healthcare students, 151 (84.4%) were immune to hepatitis B virus. Of 178 healthcare students, 26 (14.6%) were immune to hepatitis A virus. Antibodies (10 IU/L or higher) to hepatitis B surface antigen were detected for 151 (84.4%) of 179 healthcare students, and antibodies (10 IU/L or higher) to hepatitis A virus were detected for 26 (14.6%) of 178 healthcare students. Fewer than 30% of participants were in full compliance with recommended vaccinations.
Conclusions:
We have determined that there is a certain proportion of healthcare students who are susceptible to certain vaccine-preventable diseases. The development of an appropriate vaccination strategy is required to decrease the risk of transmission in a hospital setting.
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