Measles immunity and measles vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers in Paris, France

Abstract

Background: In Europe, including France, a measles outbreak has been ongoing since 2008. Unprotected healthcare workers (HCWs) may contract and spread the infection to patients.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate HCWs' measles immunity and vaccine acceptance in our setting.

Methods: In a survey-based study conducted in three university hospitals in Paris, 351 HCWs were included between April and June 2011. The following data were collected at enrolment: age, hospital unit, occupation, history of measles infection and vaccination, previous measles serology and acceptance of a measles vaccination in case of seronegativity. Sera were tested for the presence of specific anti-measles IgG antibodies using the CAPTIA(®) measles enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Findings: The mean age of the participating HCWs was 36 years (range: 18-67) and 278 (79.2%) were female. In all, 104 four persons (29.6%) declared a history of measles, and 90 (25.6%) declared never having received a measles vaccination. Among the 351 HCWs included in the study, 322 (91.7%) were immunized against measles (IgG >90 mIU/mL). The risk factors for not being protected were age [18-29 years, adjusted odds ratio: 2.7 (95% confidence interval: 1.1-6.9) compared with ≥30 years], no history of measles infection or vaccination. The global acceptance rate for a measles vaccination, before knowing their results, was 78.6%.

Conclusion: In this cohort of HCWs, 8.3% were susceptible to measles; the group most represented were aged <30 years. Acceptance of the measles vaccine was high. A vaccination campaign in healthcare settings should target specifically healthcare students and junior HCWs.