Persistence of antibodies in 4-8 year old Austrian children after vaccination with hexavalent DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib and MMR vaccines

To determine the proficiency of the Austrian childhood vaccination schedule to induce long lasting seroprotection against vaccine preventable diseases a seroepidemiological study in 348 children between four and eight years of age was conducted. Antibodies against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella antigens were assessed in children, who had been vaccinated with hexavalent DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib vaccines at three, four, five months and in the second year of life and/or MMR vaccines in the second year of life at least once, but mostly twice.High seroprotection rates (SPRs) were detected for tetanus (96%) and measles (90%). SPRs regarding diphtheria and mumps were 81% and 72%, respectively. Rubella-SPRs were 68% in females and 58% in males. Hepatitis B-antibody levels ≥10 mIU/mL were present in 52%; antibodies against pertussis were detected in 27% of the children. SPRs for measles and rubella depended on the interval since last vaccination; mumps-antibodies were significantly lower after one MMR-vaccination only. Antibodies against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis depended on the interval since last vaccination while HBs-antibodies did not. The low levels of antibodies 1-7 years after vaccination against pertussis, rubella and mumps after only one vaccination should be considered when recommending new vaccination schedules.     

Seroprevalences of antibodies against pertussis,diphtheria, tetanus,measles, mumps and rubella: A cross-sectional study in children following vaccination procedure in Guangzhou,China

This study investigated the concentrations and seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella among children in Guangzhou, China. We conducted a cross-sectional study focusing on the post-vaccination immune statuses of children on scheduled immunisation. Human IgG antibody against six diseases were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Of 620 subjects, the male-to-female ratio was 2.04 (416/204). Seroprevalence (81.97% vs 90.20%) and IgG concentrations (686.55 IU/mL vs 884.26 IU/mL, P < 0.05) for measles, tetanus (0.94 IU/mL vs 1.21 IU/mL) and rubella (34.33 IU/mL vs 47.37 IU/mL) were all higher in females. No differences based on sex were observed in the seroprevalence and IgG concentrations for anti-pertussis antibodies, anti-diphtheria antibodies and anti-mumps. Slight increase in seroprevalence and IgG concentration occurred with anti-pertussis antibodies after primary and booster vaccinations (from 0.00% [1 m], 5.45% [6 m], to 17.14% [1.5 yr]; and from 8.57% [5 yr] to 15.79% [6 yr]). Although no booster vaccination was given after age 6 yr, the seroprevalence and IgG concentration for anti-pertussis antibodies remained relatively stable. For diphtheria, tetanus, measles and rubella, seroprevalence reached their peaks after the primary and first booster vaccination. A plateau occurred after age 1.5 yr with a declining trend in subjects >8–10 yr. The IgG concentrations of these 4 pathogens showed a dramatic increase after primary vaccination, with steadily declining trends thereafter. For mumps, subjects showed increased seroprevalence and IgG concentration after the primary mumps-containing vaccination in 1.5-yr-olds (from 7.14% to 57.14%; 52.13 IU/mL to 214.18 IU/mL); however, following that low seroprevalence levels (from 42.86% to 80.00%) were observed. The post-vaccination immune statuses against diphtheria, tetanus, measles and rubella were relatively satisfactory, compared to those against pertussis and mumps. Booster vaccination against pertussis and mumps at appropriate time should be considered.     

Antibodies to measles,mumps, and rubella virus in Thai children after two-dose vaccination at 9 months and 2.5 years: A longitudinal study

IntroductionThailand changed the schedule of childhood measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccination in 2014, moving the second dose from the age of 6 years to 2.5 years. There are currently no data on antibody responses to the MMR vaccine since this recommendation.Material and methodsWe investigated antibody responses in a cohort of children who received two doses of MMR vaccine at the ages of 9 months and 2.5 years that was originally established to evaluate antibody levels to Bordetella pertussis antigens (ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT02408926). Infants were born to mothers who previously received tetanus–diphtheria–acellular pertussis vaccine at 27–36 weeks of gestation. Anti-measles, -mumps, and -rubella virus IgG levels were measured at birth (cord blood) and the ages of 2 and 7 months (before the first MMR vaccination); 18 and 24 months (9 and 15 months, respectively, after the first dose); and 36 months (6 months after the second dose) using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.ResultsAt 7 months of age, 96.2%, 99.6%, and 98.8% of infants had no protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, respectively. Levels of antibody against all three antigens increased significantly after the first but not the second dose. At 6 months after two-dose vaccination, 97.4%, 84.8%, and 78.7% of children remained seroprotected against measles, mumps, and rubella, respectively.ConclusionsMaternally derived antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella virus disappeared by the age of 7 months in Thai children. Two-dose MMR vaccination at 9 months and 2.5 years of age induced robust immune responses against these viruses.     

Seroprevalence and immunization history of selected vaccine preventable diseases in medical students

To evaluate protection against vaccine-preventable diseases in medical students, we obtained data on immunization status and history of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B from students with elective periods in our institution. Further, serum antibodies against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen were determined on a voluntary basis. For students with incomplete immunization status or lack of protective antibodies, vaccination was offered for free. Success of catch-up immunizations was serologically confirmed 4 weeks later. From May 1999 to April 2003, 170 students were enrolled; their mean age was 26 years with a median of 25 years (range 22-48 years). Immunization records were complete in 148 (87%), incomplete in 11 (6.5%) and missing in 11 (6.5%) students. Only 26% of the cohort had a complete and up-to-date immunization status. Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against measles, mumps, rubella, VZV and HBs (> or = 10 IU/l) in 149 students were 85, 85, 92, 97 and 90%, respectively. Indications for > or = 1 catch-up immunization were found in 125 (74%) students and were accepted by 97 of them (78%). Sixty two (99%) of 63 immunized students available for follow-up demonstrated an adequate serological response. In conclusion, the great majority of medical students had immunization gaps. Systematic immunization programmes for medical students should be implemented.     

A randomized,blinded, placebo-controlled trial comparing antibody responses to homeopathic and conventional vaccines in university students

BackgroundHomeopathic vaccines are licensed in many countries but scientific data to support their use are sparse. The goal of this study was to compare the antibody response of homeopathic and conventional vaccines and placebo in young adults. We hypothesized that there would be no significant difference between homeopathic vaccines and placebo, while there would be a significant increase in antibodies in those received conventional vaccines.MethodsA randomized blinded placebo-controlled trial was conducted where 150 university students who had received childhood vaccinations were assigned to diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, measles homeopathic vaccine, placebo, or conventional diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (Tdap) and mumps, measles, rubella (MMR) vaccines. The primary outcome was a ≥ two-fold increase in antibodies from baseline following vaccination as measured by ELISA. Participants, investigators, study coordinator, data blood drawers, laboratory technician, and data analyst were blinded.ResultsNone of the participants in either the homeopathic vaccine or the placebo group showed a ≥ two-fold response to any of the antigens. In contrast, of those vaccinated with Tdap, 68% (33/48) had a ≥ two-fold response to diphtheria, 83% (40/48) to pertussis toxoid, 88% (42/48) to tetanus, and 35% (17/48) of those vaccinated with MMR had a response to measles or mumps antigens (p < 0.001 for each comparison of conventional vaccine to homeopathic vaccine or to placebo). There was a significant increase in geometric mean titres of antibody from baseline for conventional vaccine antigens (p < 0.001 for each), but none for the response to homeopathic antigens or placebo.ConclusionsHomeopathic vaccines do not evoke antibody responses and produce a response that is similar to placebo. In contrast, conventional vaccines provide a robust antibody response in the majority of those vaccinated.Trial Registry: NCT 02825368.     

2008年邻水县健康人群抗体水平监测结果分析

目的了解2008年广安市邻水县健康人群麻疹、白喉、百日咳、破伤风和乙型肝炎免疫水平状况,及时为免疫决策提供科学依据。方法在邻水县随机抽取7个年龄组304名健康人群作为监测对象,进行麻疹IgG抗体、白喉和破伤风抗毒素、乙肝表面抗体和百日咳凝集抗体水平检测。结果麻疹IgG抗体阳性（〉200mIU/ml）有289人,阳性率为95.07%;白喉抗毒素达到保护水平的有290人,阳性率为95.39%,抗毒素平均值为0.28IU/ml;百日咳抗体阳性（≥1∶20）有295人,阳性率为97.04%,保护性抗体阳性率为66.78%;破伤风抗毒素达到保护水平的有247人,阳性率为81.25%;乙肝表面抗体阳性的有164人,阳性率为53.95%;结论广安市邻水县健康人群麻疹、白喉和百日咳抗体达到标准水平;破伤风抗毒素和乙肝表面抗体未达到标准水平,需加强免疫接种工作,提高人群免疫水平。     

西双版纳州1～15岁儿童脊灰、百日咳、白喉、破伤风、麻疹和乙肝抗体水平监测结果

目的了解西双版纳州1～15岁健康儿童脊髓灰质炎(脊灰)、百日咳、白喉、破伤风、麻疹、乙型肝炎(乙肝)抗体水平,评价免疫接种效果,为制定免疫方案和接种质量监测提供依据。方法用酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测脊灰IgG、百日咳IgG、白喉IgG、破伤风IgG、麻疹IgG和乙肝表面抗体(HBsAb)。结果共检测159份血清标本,麻疹IgG抗体阳性率为97.48%,脊灰IgG抗体阳性率为96.86%,百日咳IgG抗体阳性率为为96.86%,破伤风IgG抗体阳性率为91.19%,白喉IgG抗体阳性率为为59.12%,HBsAb阳性率为58.49%。结论西双版纳州1～15岁健康儿童的麻疹、脊灰、百日咳、破伤风具有较高的免疫水平,已达到卫生部规定的目标(85%),白喉和乙肝的抗体水平较低。应加强白喉和乙肝的免疫接种质量,提高免疫水平。     

Has oral fluid the potential to replace serum for the evaluation of population immunity levels? A study of measles,rubella and hepatitis B in rural Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the suitability of using oral-fluid samples for determining the prevalence of immunity to vaccine-preventable infections. METHODS: Paired blood and oral-fluid samples were obtained from 853 individuals of all ages from a rural Ethiopian community. Oral fluid around the gums was screened for measles- and rubella-specific antibodies using enhanced IgG antibody capture (GAC) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and for anti-HBc antibodies using a prototype GACELISA. IgG antibodies in serum to measles, rubella and HBc were determined using commercial ELISAs. FINDINGS: Relative to serum, oral fluid assay sensitivity and specificity were as follows: 98% and 87% for measles, 79% and 90% for rubella, and 43% and 87% for anti-HBc. These assay characteristics yielded population prevalence estimates from oral fluid with a precision equal to that of serum for measles (all ages) and rubella (ages < 20 years). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that oral fluid could have the potential to replace serum in IgG antibody prevalence surveys. Further progress requires assessment of variation in assay performance between populations as well as the availability of standardized, easy to use assays.     

Immune response to simultaneous administration of a combined measles,mumps and rubella vaccine with booster doses of diphtheria-tetanus and poliovirus vaccine

A combined vaccine against measles (Edmonston-Zagreb 19 strain), mumps (Rubini strain) and rubella (Wistar RA 27/3 strain) was administered to a group of 46 children aged 10–12 months simultaneously with booster doses of compulsory diphtheria-tetanus toxoid and oral poliovirus vaccine. A second group of 53 children aged 15–24 months who had received booster doses of the compulsory vaccines 5 to 12 months before was also vaccinated.The same seroconversion rates (100%) and similar antibody titers for rubella were observed in both groups. The same seroconversion rates for mumps (93%) and similar rates for measles (98 and 94%) were observed in the two groups.Significantly lower antibody titers for measles and mumps were found in the first group, but they were compensated by an earlier protection, a reduction of number of visits for immunization, costs for the community, and improvement in parental compliance.These results confirm that Edmonston-Zagreb 19 and Rubini strains are still immunogenic even when they are combined with Wistar RA 27/3 strain. Moreover, a long term follow-up in order to verify the persistence of protective antibody levels in both groups of children, could suggest that combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine could be given earlier (at 10–12 months of age), simultaneously with booster doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoid and of trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine.     

Immunization status of internationally adopted children in Italy

An increasing number of internationally adopted children is coming to Italy, and their immunization status is unknown. We evaluated the immunization status of such children in Palermo, Italy. We searched for the presence of a BCG scar in 88 children, 49 boys and 39 girls (mean age 76+/-32 months), most of whom (98%) came from Eastern Europe. Presence of BCG scar was observed in 59 (67.1%) of them, included five children without any pre-adoptive medical records. Twenty-three out of 29 children without any evidence of BCG scar were tested by Mantoux. Seven (30.4%) of 23 were tuberculin positive and diagnosed as having latent tuberculosis infection. We also examined immunization status against poliovirus 1-3, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B of 70 internationally adopted children and we compared it with the pre-adoptive immunization records of their birth country. Protective titers (>1:8) against poliovirus 1-3, were found respectively in 67.1%, 91.4%, 42.8% of 70 immunized children, and only 38.5% of them had at the same time full protection against all three types of poliovirus. Protective titers against tetanus and diphtheria were found in 91.4% and 95.7% of 70 vaccinated children. Presence of antibodies against pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella was observed respectively in 16 (32.6%) of 49, 40 (62.5%) of 64, 28 (56%) of 50 and 24 (85.7%) of 28 children who had received the vaccine. As regards hepatitis B, only 20 of 29 vaccinated children had detectable hepatitis B surface antibodies, while four of 29 vaccinated and two of 41 not vaccinated children were positive for both hepatitis B surface antibodies and hepatitis B core antibodies. Finally three of 41 not vaccinated children were both hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibodies positive. No relation was found between health status and immunization and between age and antibody positiveness of vaccinated children except for hepatitis B, therefore the youngest immunized children were more likely to be hepatitis B surface antibodies positive. Our data suggest that internationally adopted children should be tested for their immunization status on arrival in the adopting country, because they are not protected in a sufficient way against vaccine-preventable diseases and their pre-adoptive immunization records sometimes are lacking and frequently are scarcely reliable.     

Seroprevalence of measles, mumps and rubella antibodies in Luxembourg: results from a national cross-sectional study

A serological prevalence survey was carried out in Luxembourg during 2000-2001 to determine the antibody status of the Luxembourg population against vaccine-preventable infections. Blood samples of children and adolescents were collected prospectively in randomly selected schools. Samples of adults were obtained through volunteer patients of the national health laboratory or of the mandatory pre-nuptial test. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) virus antibody concentrations were measured using commercial ELISA tests. Age-standardized prevalence of measles, mumps and rubella virus antibodies was found to be 96.58, 75.40 and 95.69% respectively. Significant age-dependence of serology was observed for all three infections, with study participants born after the introduction of the MMR vaccine experiencing a gradual decline of antibodies following vaccination in childhood. Older study participants who were more likely to have antibodies from natural infection had consistently higher titres than younger individuals. Present vaccination coverage with MMR appears to be sufficient to prevent large local outbreaks of measles and rubella, but probably not mumps.     

Vaccination coverage among children entering school--United States, 2005-06 school year

One of the national health objectives for 2010 is to achieve and sustain > or =95% vaccination coverage among children in kindergarten through first grade for the following vaccines: hepatitis B vaccine; diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine, or diphtheria and tetanus toxoids vaccine (DTP/DTaP/DT); poliovirus (polio) vaccine; measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines; and varicella vaccine. To determine vaccination coverage among children entering kindergarten, data were analyzed from reports submitted to CDC by states and the District of Columbia (DC) for the 2005-06 school year. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that coverage for each vaccine was reported to have exceeded 95% in more than half of the states.     

Susceptibility of young offenders to measles and rubella: an antibody prevalence study using oral fluid samples

Three hundred and two oral fluid samples collected in January 2001 from male young offenders aged 18 to 21 years at HMP Hindley were screened for measles and rubella specific IgG, using 'in-house' amplified ELISA assays. MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccine, offered at the same time, was accepted by 68.1% of the prisoners (92.7% of those agreeing to oral fluid antibody testing). Antibody prevalences were 92.1% for rubella and 80.8% for measles. This may, however, underestimate true prevalence as the sensitivity of the oral fluid assays used may be relatively poor in adults. Susceptibility levels are theoretically high enough to result in outbreaks should either infection enter this closed institutional environment. Since a measles outbreak would carry significant morbidity and rubella would represent a risk to associated non-immune women of childbearing age, it is suggested that prison health services should offer MMR to young offenders on entry.     

2015年新建县948例入园儿童计划免疫效果评价

目的 了解入园儿童接种乙型肝炎(乙肝)、脊髓灰质炎(脊灰)、百日咳、白喉、破伤风疫苗(以下简称“五防”疫苗)后抗体阳性率与疫苗“首针及时接种率、全程接种率、全程及时接种率”的吻合程度,评价儿童预防接种效果和免疫状况。方法 选取2015年新建县长堎地区新近入园的948例儿童作为研究对象,利用间接ELISA法检测血清标本中抗体阳性水平,通过查验儿童预防接种证收集预防接种信息,并进行比较分析。结果 948例入园儿童中,脊灰、百日咳、白喉、破伤风抗体阳性率均超过90%,乙肝抗体阳性率低于65%。除城镇儿童白喉、破伤风抗体阳性率显著高于农村(P<0.05)外,性别、户籍、居住地对“五防”疫苗的抗体阳性率影响不大(P>0.05)。全程接种乙肝、百白破三联疫苗的入园儿童乙肝、白喉、破伤风IgG抗体阳性率显著高于未全程接种者(P<0.05)。首针、全程是否及时接种“五防”疫苗对入园儿童这5种IgG抗体阳性率的影响不大(P>0.05)。结论 948例入园儿童脊灰、百日咳、白喉、破伤风免疫效果较好,而乙肝抗体阳性率相比较低。全程接种率相比首针及时接种率和全程及时接种率对评价儿童乙肝、白喉、破伤风疫苗免疫效果更有意义,值得关注并推广。     

Comparison of antibody response between boys and girls after infant and childhood vaccinations in the Netherlands

BackgroundInfectious diseases can differ by sex in their incidence, prevalence, or severity of disease. These differences may be induced by sex-dependent immune responses and resulting protection, for example after vaccination. Therefore, this study aims to assess possible sex-differences in immunoglobulin levels (IgG) after infant and childhood vaccination.MethodsData from a national cross-sectional serosurvey conducted in 2006/2007 were used (Pienter 2). We compared IgG levels against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (MenC) between girls and boys both short term (1 month to 1 year) and long term (1–3 year) after infant and childhood vaccinations, using linear regression analysis. Proportions of boys and girls reaching a protective IgG level were compared using Fishers exact test.ResultsDifferences in IgG were found at specific time points after vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, MenC, and polio. The geometric mean concentration or titer (GMC/T) girls:boys ratios ranged between 1.10 for polio type 1 <1 year after the first childhood booster to 1.90 for MenC <1 year after infant vaccination, indicating higher antibody levels in girls. No significant differences were found between boys and girls for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and Hib at either time point. Proportions with protective levels differed only at 1–3 years after infant vaccination for mumps (82.5% boys vs. 91.9% girls, p = 0.046), and at the same time point for MenC (7.0% boys vs. 18.2% girls, p = 0.015), and polio type 1 (87.8% boys vs. 95.9% girls, p = 0.047).ConclusionDifferences in IgG between boys and girls were generally small and not consistent, neither between pathogens nor within pathogens. If differences were observed, girls were favored over boys. On the whole, the results suggest that there are no major sex differences in protection from the studied pathogens in the Netherlands.     

天津市麻疹风疹及流行性腮腺炎抗体水平分析

目的了解天津市健康人群麻疹、风疹、流行性腮腺炎抗体水平,评价疫苗接种需求。方法2007年3月采集0~57岁健康人群608人份血样品,用ELISA方法定量检测麻疹、风疹、流行性腮腺炎IgG抗体水平。运用直线相关分析抗体阳性率,保护率GMC与疾病发病率之间的关系,P0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果麻疹、风疹和流行性腮腺炎疫苗接种率分别为70.39%、16.78%和12.34%;抗体阳性率分别为91.78%,65.79%和73.52%;抗体几何平均浓度(GMC)分别为2 488.10 IU/L、200.4 IU/ml和759.91 U/ml。麻疹抗体阳性率,保护率与发病率存在明显相关关系(P0.01),而GMC与麻疹发病率没有显著性相关;风疹和流行性腮腺炎抗体阳性率、GMC与发病率无相关关系。结论本次调查显示2007年天津市麻疹人群抗体GMC总体保持在较高水平。风疹、流行性腮腺炎疫苗接种率和抗体水平较低,2剂次的麻腮风疫苗(MMR)纳入免疫规划既有助于消除麻疹,也有利于控制风疹和流行性腮腺炎。     

2008年同德县1～14岁儿童7种疾病抗体水平调查

[目的]了解同德县健康儿童百日咳、破伤风、流行型脑膜炎（流脑）、风疹、麻疹、乙型肝炎（乙肝）、脊髓灰质炎（脊灰）免疫水平。[方法]Z008年6月,在同德县抽取部分1～14岁健康儿童进行血清7种疾病的抗体水平检测。[结果]检测124人,百日咳抗体达保护率为81．45％,破伤风抗体达保护率为58．48％．流脑A群抗体阳性率为38．70％,流脑C群抗体阳性率为100．00％,麻疹抗体达保护率为78．24％,抗-HBs达保护率为87．50％,脊灰I型、Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型抗体达保护率均为100．00％,风疹抗体阳性率为45．97％。风疹抗体阳性率随着年龄增大而增高（P〈0．01）,其他抗体水平不同性别、不同年龄儿童的差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。[结论]同德县1～14岁儿童对破伤风、乙肝、流脑（C群）、脊灰具有较高的保护水平,但对百13咳、麻疹、流脑（A群）、风疹的保护水平不高。     

Outcome of medical screening of Kosovan refugees in Ireland: 1999

In March 1999 armed conflict broke out in Kosova and about 900,000 ethnic Albanians were displaced. We reviewed the health care offered to the 945 Kosovan refugees who arrived in Ireland in 1999, which included screening for tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis B. On arrival in Ireland 540 refugees had already received oral polio vaccine (57%), 512 diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis or diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (54%), 310 BCG (33%), 207 measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (22%) and 60 Haemophilus influenzae type b (6%). Twelve refugees were diagnosed with TB. Twenty-six refugees were HBsAg positive (3%) and 168 were anti-HBcAg positive (18%). Organised screening of Kosovan refugees on a voluntary basis (uptake > 95%) revealed low percentages who had been immunised and relatively high rates of TB and hepatitis B. The provision of optimum immunisation, screening, and treatment services to address these issues requires substantial staffing and financial resources.     

Immunity against measles,mumps, rubella,varicella, diphtheria,tetanus, polio,hepatitis A and hepatitis B among adult asylum seekers in the Netherlands, 2016

Asylum seekers are a vulnerable population for contracting infectious diseases. Outbreaks occur among children and adults. In the Netherlands, asylum seeker children are offered vaccination according to the National Immunization Program. Little is known about protection against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) in adult asylum seekers. In this 2016 study, we assessed the immunity of adult asylum seekers against nine VPD to identify groups that might benefit from additional vaccinations. We invited asylum seekers from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Ethiopia to participate in a serosurvey. Participants provided informed consent and a blood sample, and completed a questionnaire. We measured prevalence of protective antibodies to measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio type 1–3 and hepatitis A and B, stratified them by country of origin and age groups. The median age of the 622 participants was 28 years (interquartile range: 23–35), 81% were male and 48% originated from Syria. Overall, seroprotection was 88% for measles (range between countries: 83–93%), 91% for mumps (81–95%), 94% for rubella (84–98%), 96% for varicella (92–98%), 82% for diphtheria (65–88%), 98% for tetanus (86–100%), 91% (88–94%) for polio type 1, 95% (90–98%) for polio type 2, 82% (76–86%) for polio type 3, 84% (54–100%) for hepatitis A and 27% for hepatitis B (anti-HBs; 8–42%). Our results indicate insufficient protection against certain VPD in some subgroups. For all countries except Eritrea, measles seroprotection was below the 95% threshold required for elimination. Measles seroprevalence was lowest among adults younger than 25 years. In comparison, seroprevalence in the Dutch general population was 96% in 2006/07. The results of this study can help prioritizing vaccination of susceptible subgroups of adult asylum seekers, in general and in outbreak situations.     

Vaccination and allergic disease: a birth cohort study

Objectives. We examined the effect of vaccination for diphtheria; polio; pertussis and tetanus; or measles, mumps, and rubella on the incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma and eczema.