Seroprevalence of measles and varicella in healthcare workers in Chonburi province between October 2022 and January 2023
Keywords:
Seroprevalence, Measles, Varicella, Healthcare workerAbstract
Background: Health care workers (HCWs) face the risk of contracting and transmitting vaccine-preventable infectious diseases (VPDs). Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the immune status of HCWs against certain VPDs, such as measles and varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Objectives: This study aimed to determine age-specific seropositivity rates of anti-measles and anti-VZV IgG in HCWs working in Chonburi province, Thailand, and to develop a measles and varicella vaccination policy for Thai HCWs.
Methods: A total of 266 HCWs in Chonburi Province, Thailand, were enrolled in this study between October 2022 and January 2023. Participants were divided into six age groups: 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, and >70 years. Anti-measles and anti-VZV IgG levels were evaluated using commercial ELISA kits (EUROIMMUN, Lübeck, Germany).
Results: The overall seropositivity rates for measles and varicella were 85.0% and 81.2%, respectively. The lowest seropositivity rates for both measles and varicella were found among the 21-30-year-old group. Furthermore, seropositivity rates increased with age, reaching 100% among people over the age of 60 years.
Conclusions: To prevent measles and VZV outbreaks in HCWs, it is crucial to implement catch-up measles and varicella vaccination programs, particularly among HCWs younger than 30 years of age.
Downloads
References
Lee JS, Jeong O, Yang H. Screening and Vaccination Against Measles and Varicella Among Health Care Workers: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2021;33:508-15.
Guerra FM, Bolotin S, Lim G, Heffernan J, Deeks SL, Li Y, et al. The basic reproduction number (R(0)) of measles: A systematic review. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017;17(12):e420-8.
Marangi L, Mirinaviciute G, Flem E, Scalia Tomba G, Guzzetta G, Freiesleben de Blasio B, et al. The natural history of varicella zoster virus infection in Norway: Further insights on exogenous boosting and progressive immunity to herpes zoster. PLoS One. 2017;12(5):e0176845.
Okwo-Bele JM, Cherian T. The expanded programme on immunization: A lasting legacy of smallpox eradication. Vaccine. 2011;29 Suppl 4:D74-9.
Hinman A. Eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases. Annu Rev Public Health. 1999;20:211-29.
Arvin AM, Greenberg HB. New viral vaccines. Virology. 2006;344:240-9.
Gershon AA. Viral vaccines of the future. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1990;37:689-707.
Baxter R, Ray P, Tran TN, Black S, Shinefield HR, Coplan PM, et al. Long-term effectiveness of varicella vaccine: A 14-Year, prospective cohort study. Pediatrics. 2013;131(5):e1389-96.
Haviari S, Benet T, Saadatian-Elahi M, Andre P, Loulergue P, Vanhems P. Vaccination of healthcare workers: A review. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2015;11:2522-37.
Minta AA, Ferrari M, Antoni S, Portnoy A, Sbarra A, Lambert B, et al. Progress Toward Regional Measles Elimination - Worldwide, 2000-2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71:1489-95.
Fiebelkorn AP, Redd SB, Kuhar DT. Measles in Healthcare Facilities in the United States During the Postelimination Era, 2001-2014. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;61:615-8.
Advisory Committee on Immunization P, Centers for Disease C, Prevention. Immunization of health-care personnel: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011;60:1-45.
Weinmann S, Naleway AL, Koppolu P, Baxter R, Belongia EA, Hambidge SJ, et al. Incidence of Herpes Zoster Among Children: 2003-2014. Pediatrics. 2019;144(1):e20182917.
Salvetti A, Ferrari V, Garofalo R, Gazzaniga P, Guerroni A, Metrucci A, et al. Incidence of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in Italian adults aged >/=50 years: A prospective study. Prev Med Rep. 2019 ;14:100882.
Apisarnthanarak A, Kitphati R, Tawatsupha P, Thongphubeth K, Apisarnthanarak P, Mundy LM. Outbreak of varicella-zoster virus infection among Thai healthcare workers. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2007;28:430-4.
Almuneef MA, Memish ZA, Balkhy HH, Otaibi B, Helmi M. Seroprevalence survey of varicella, measles, rubella, and hepatitis A and B viruses in a multinational healthcare workforce in Saudi Arabia. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2006;27:1178-83.
Sam IC, Tariman H, Chan YF, Bador MK, Yusof MY, Hassan H. Varicella-zoster virus seroprevalence in healthcare workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Med J Malaysia. 2008;63:429-30.
Kurukulasooriya GM, Thevanesam V, Agampodi SB, Abeykoon AM, Amarasiri SP, Goonasekera KP. Susceptibility of New Entrant University students in Sri Lanka to varicella zoster infection. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2010;22:219-24.
Bhattarakosol P, Chantarabul S, Pittayathikhun K, Mung-mee V, Punnarugsa V. Prevalence of anti-varicella zoster IgG antibody in undergraduate students. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 1996;14:129-31.
Chansaenroj J, Suntronwong N, Kanokudom S, Assawakosri S, Vichaiwattana P, Klinfueng S, et al. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid total Ig, anti-RBD IgG antibodies, and infection in Thailand: A cross-sectional survey from October 2022 to January 2023. Sci Rep. 2023;13:15595.
Paterson P, Meurice F, Stanberry LR, Glismann S, Rosenthal SL, Larson HJ. Vaccine hesitancy and healthcare providers. Vaccine. 2016;34:6700-6.
Gaviola GC, McCarville M, Shendale S, Goodman T, Lomazzi M, Desai S. A review of health worker vaccination programs in low, middle and upper middle-income countries. Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2023;6:100415.
Puthanakit T, Anugulruengkitt S, Angsuwatcharakon P, Bunjoungmanee P, Kowitdamrong E, Primsirikunawut A, et al. Low Measles Seropositivity Rate among Thai Adolescents in the Thai National Immunization Program. Vaccines (Basel). 2022;10:1269.
Measles vaccination coverage. World Health Organization: World Health Organization; 2023. Available.from:.https://immunizationdata.who.int/pages/coverage/mcv.html?CODE=SEAR&ANTIGEN=MCV2&YEAR=
Wanlapakorn N, Wasitthankasem R, Vichaiwattana P, Auphimai C, Yoocharoen P, Vongpunsawad S, et al. Antibodies against measles and rubella virus among different age groups in Thailand: A population-based serological survey. PLoS One.
;14(11):e0225606.
Kumakura S, Shibata H, Onoda K, Nishimura N, Matsuda C, Hirose M. Seroprevalence survey on measles, mumps, rubella and varicella antibodies in healthcare workers in Japan: Sex, age, occupational-related differences and vaccine efficacy. Epidemiol Infect. 2014;142:12-9.
Koivisto K, Puhakka L, Lappalainen M, Blomqvist S, Saxen H, Nieminen T. Immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases in Finnish pediatric healthcare workers in 2015. Vaccine. 2017;35:1608-14.
von Linstow ML, Yde Nielsen A, Kirkby N, Eltvedt A, Nordmann Winther T, Bybeck Nielsen A, et al. Immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases among paediatric healthcare workers in Denmark, 2019. Euro Surveill. 2021;26:2001167.
Yun JH, Lee E, Choi JH, Ki HK, Park J. Seroprevalence of Varicella-Zoster Virus and Measles among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Medical Center in Korea. Vaccines (Basel). 2022;10:1956.
Shin L, Choi JR, Huh K, Chung DR, Cho SY, Jeong J, et al. Trend of immunity against measles and varicella zoster virus in healthcare workers in Korea. Vaccine. 2023;41:4679-84.
Yoo Y, Park WJ, Cho S, Lim DY, Kim S, Kang W, et al. Seroprevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella-zoster antibodies in new female nurses in the Republic of Korea. Ann Occup Environ Med. 2021;33:e19.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 The Royal College of Pediatricians Of Thailand
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
