Impact of multiple dose measles vaccination on measles transmission patterns in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Measles seroprevalence of an adolescent population vaccinated with a single dose of measles vaccine before their first birthday

This study determined the age-specific measles seroprevalence of an adolescent population in Ankara vaccinated with a single dose of measles vaccine before their first birthday. The study sample included 440 adolescents (227 female, 213 male) aged 9-16 years admitted to the Adolescent Outpatient Clinic of Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. For each participant, a questionnaire was completed and measles specific IgG antibodies screened quantitatively by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Of the 440 subjects screened for measles antibodies, 114 (25.9 %) were seronegative. Measles seronegativity according to sex and age groups were, 32.6, 24.7, 13.3% in females and 29.5, 30.1, 6.3% in males in the age groups of 9-11, 12-14, 15-16 years, respectively. In countries where the two dose vaccination schedule against measles has not been incorporated to the national immunization program, the adolescent health maintenance visit at age 11-12 years should serve as an opportunity to evaluate vaccination status and administer MMR vaccine to all adolescents who have not received two doses at the recommended ages.