Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine (PRIORIX): Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2022

Recovery of measles-containing and HPV vaccine ordering post-COVID-19 pandemic: Trends by public vs. private funding source, urbanicity, and state - United States, January 2018 - December 2022

OBJECTIVE

To assess recovery in childhood and adolescent vaccine ordering since initial declines in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions.

METHODS

Using vaccine ordering data provided by Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, the number of measles-containing vaccine doses ordered each month in the U.S. during January 1, 2020-May 31, 2022 were compared to doses ordered during the corresponding month in 2018 and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doses ordered during January 1, 2020-December 31, 2022 were compared to corresponding month in 2019. Differences stratified by public vs. private funding source and state and urbanicity of the county where the provider is located were examined.

RESULTS

The cumulative deficit for measles-containing vaccines was 1,314,179 doses (-5.7%) as of May 2022 and 3,911,020 doses (-13.6%) for HPV vaccine as of December 2022. Deficits in publicly funded doses and HPV doses ordered in rural counties were greater than deficits in privately funded doses and HPV doses ordered in urban counties.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings show that monthly measles-containing and HPV vaccine ordering has recovered; however, deficits remain. Greater deficits in publicly funded vaccine doses and HPV ordering in rural counties suggest varying level of recovery. To reduce gaps in deficits, health care providers are strongly encouraged to use every visit to recommend needed vaccines.

Serological Evaluation for Measles among Italian and Foreign Medical Students in a University Hospital in Rome

BACKGROUND

Measles infection in the hospital setting is a major issue. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, measles outbreaks continue to occur in some European countries. We aimed to evaluate the immunological status of medical students attending the Tor Vergata Polyclinic (PTV).

METHODS

Measles antibodies titers were assessed by venipuncture on a sample of 2717 medical students who underwent annual health surveillance visits from January 2021 to March 2023. Subjects showing serum IgG values above 1.0 S/CO were considered serologically protected. Personal data, country of origin, and main demographic characteristic were also collected.

RESULTS

66.7% (1467 Italian and 346 foreign) of medical students showed protective IgG antibodies levels. Female students were serologically immune more frequently than males (68.6% vs. 63.3%; p < 0.01 at Chi2). The mean antibody titer was 1.72 S/CO, significantly higher in females than males (1.67 vs. 1.75, respectively; p < 0.05), and significantly related to age (p < 0.01). Albanian students, who were the largest foreign population in our study, showed a low serological protection rate (40/90: 44.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of serologically non-immune students is high, raising concerns about the possible risk of hospital transmission. Substantial differences in the rate of immunity have been found between subjects coming from different parts of Europe and the world. Pre-training assessment of all medical students and vaccination of susceptible individuals is highly recommended, particularly for those from low immunization rate countries.

Genetics and measles, mumps and rubella vaccine response in childhood and adolescence-A systematic review

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are contagious infectious diseases that can be prevented by immunization. However, MMR infections can occur in previously immunized individuals. The vaccine response is, among other factors, influenced by the combined effects of many genes. This systematic review investigates the genetic influence on measles, mumps and rubella antibody responses after childhood vaccination. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), systematic literature searches were conducted in the medical databases PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO. Search strings were adjusted for each database. Citations were included if they measured and compared the immune response with immunogenetics after vaccination with a vaccine containing one or more of the following components: measles, mumps and/or rubella, MMR. The measure of vaccine response studied was antibodies after vaccination. Forty-eight articles were included in the final analysis. The results suggest that genetic determinants, including host genes, and single nucleotide polymorphisms in immune-related genes influence the MMR antibody responses after vaccination. Specifically, replicated associations were found between HLA, CD46, RARB, IRF9, EIF2AK2, cytokine genes and MMR vaccine-induced humoral immune responses. This knowledge can be useful in understanding and predicting immune responses and may have implications for future vaccine strategies.

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger - United States, 2023

At its October 2022 meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices* (ACIP) approved the Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger, United States, 2023. The 2023 child and adolescent immunization schedule, available on the CDC immunization schedule website (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules), summarizes ACIP recommendations, including several changes from the 2022 immunization schedule^† on the cover page, tables, notes, and appendix. Health care providers are advised to use the tables, notes, and appendix together to determine recommended vaccinations for patient populations. This immunization schedule is recommended by ACIP (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip) and approved by CDC (https://www.cdc.gov), the American Academy of Pediatrics (https://www.aap.org), the American Academy of Family Physicians (https://www.aafp.org), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (http://www.acog.org), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (https://www.midwife.org), the American Academy of Physician Associates (https://www.aapa.org), and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (https://www.napnap.org).