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. 2024 Jul 12;24(1):696.
doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-09593-6.

Assessing seropositivity of MMR antibodies in individuals aged 2-22: evaluating routine vaccination effectiveness after the 2003 mass campaign-a study from Iran's National Measles Laboratory

Fateme Ghafoori  1 , Talat Mokhtari-Azad  1   2 , Abbas Rahimi Foroushani  3 , Mohammad Farahmand  1   4 , Azade Shadab  1   2 , Vahid Salimi  5   6
Affiliations

Assessing seropositivity of MMR antibodies in individuals aged 2-22: evaluating routine vaccination effectiveness after the 2003 mass campaign-a study from Iran's National Measles Laboratory

Fateme Ghafoori et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background and purpose: The seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) was evaluated 17 years following a mass vaccination campaign in individuals aged 2 to 22 years who had received routine immunization but were not eligible for an extended immunization program.

Methods: Samples were acquired from Iran's National Measles Laboratory (NML), with individuals showing positive IgM results excluded. Out of the samples collected in 2020, a random selection of 290 serum samples was chosen, representing individuals between the ages of 2 and 22 years from diverse regions in the country. These samples were subjected to analysis using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify specific IgG antibodies against MMR.

Results: The seroprevalence rates of antibodies for measles, mumps, and rubella were determined to be 76.2%, 89.3%, and 76.9%, respectively. Younger age groups exhibited higher seropositivity rates for measles and mumps, whereas the 7- to 11-year-old group demonstrated the highest seropositivity rate for rubella. A reduction in antibody status was observed from younger to older age groups, particularly those aged 17-22.

Conclusion: The study unveiled suboptimal antibody levels for measles and rubella, highlighting the necessity for further investigation and potential adjustments to future vaccination strategies. Moreover, the decline in antibody status post-vaccination can accumulate in seronegative individuals over time, elevating the risk of outbreaks.

Keywords: Antibody status; Measles; Mumps; Rubella; Seroprevalence; Vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Antibody status to measles, mumps and rubella among people aged 2 to 22 who were not attended in mass campaign 2003 in 2020 in Iran
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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