Evaluation of an immunity status against measles of health workers in Kharkiv city

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this article was to determine the intensity of immunity against measles among health workers in Kharkov to identify and vaccinate susceptible individuals. Materials and methods. ELISA levels of specific measles IgG in blood serum of health workers were studied. Results. It was shown that the largest number of measles-susceptible individuals is observed in the age group of 18 to 27 years (9 % do not have a protective level of antibodies (AT); 7.7 % have a dubious level of protection). In the age groups from 28 to 37 years old and from 38 to 47 years old, a rather large number of measles-sensitive health workers was also detected (6.9 % and 6.1 % - with the absence of a protective level of AT and 6.9 % and 5.1 % - with a dubious level of protection, respectively). The minimum number of measles unprotected health workers was determined in the group aged 48 to 57 years (0.9 % of negative and doubtful results), and among physicians older than 57 years, there were no individuals with a lack of protective levels of antibodies to measles virus. Conclusions. Possible reasons for the prevalence of measles-unprotected health workers in the age groups from 18 to 47 years and the absence of unprotected people in the group of people over 57 are discussed. Doctors are a professional risk group for contracting infections (including measles). The article argues that there is no need for vaccination against measles for medical workers over 57 years old and vaccination of representatives of other age groups is recommended only after determining the strength of measles immunity, since more than 90 % of medical workers have protective levels of IgG.

Keywords

• measles
• specific anti-measles IgG antibodies
• vaccination