Related Experiment Videos
Surveillance of antibody to measles, mumps, and rubella by age
P Morgan-Capner1, J Wright, C L Miller
1Preston Public Health Laboratory.
Insights
A 1986-7 survey found many children susceptible to measles, mumps, and rubella before the MMR vaccine. Early vaccination in the second year of life is recommended to eliminate these diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are significant viral diseases.
- Pre-vaccine introduction antibody prevalence data is crucial for public health strategies.
- Understanding disease susceptibility in young children informs vaccination timing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the antibody prevalence against measles, mumps, and rubella in children before the widespread introduction of the MMR vaccine.
- To establish baseline data for evaluating the impact of a new vaccination strategy.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 8716 children across England were collected between 1986-7.
- Antibody prevalence to measles, mumps, and rubella viruses was measured by age group.
- Data analysis focused on identifying susceptible populations.
Main Results:
- In children aged 1-2 years, 60% lacked measles antibodies and over 80% lacked mumps and rubella antibodies.
- In the 3-4 year age group, susceptibility rates were 17% for measles, 55% for mumps, and 73% for rubella.
- Significant proportions of children remained susceptible to all three viral infections.
Conclusions:
- Early vaccination, specifically in the second year of life, is necessary to eliminate measles, mumps, and rubella.
- The survey provides essential baseline data for ongoing surveillance of vaccination program effectiveness.
- Findings highlight the need for timely MMR vaccination to reduce disease burden in young children.
Abstract:
Before the introduction of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine a survey was carried out to measure antibody prevalence to the three viruses by age. A total of 8716 samples of serum collected by five public health laboratories in different parts of England during 1986-7 were tested. Despite the current measles vaccination programme 60% of children aged 1-2 years did not have measles antibody and over 80% did not have antibodies to mumps and rubella. In the 3-4 year age group 17% of the children were susceptible to measles, 55% to mumps, and 73% to rubella. The results suggest that vaccinating children early in the second year of life will be necessary to eliminate the three diseases. The survey provides baseline data for continuing surveillance of the immediate and long term effects of the new vaccination strategy.