Antibodies to measles following vaccination with measles containing vaccine in a selected sample of an Iraqi young adults

Background: Despite the implementation of mass school catch-up campaigns for measles, an outbreak of measles occurred mostly affecting the adult population. Objectives: Evaluation of measles immunity among adults by estimation of measles IgG Antibodies, and to compare the results with that following measles vaccination. Design &subject: A sero-surveys was carried out to estimate measles IgG Abs titer before and after a national campaign with measles containing vaccine. The study sample included (155) healthy young adults aged 19-25 years, randomly selected, Serum samples were examined for measles IgG Abs in the National measles laboratory using ELISA technique. Results: Participants with serum positive for measles IgG antibodies were found in 68%, those were considered protected or immune to measles infection. While 32% of them found with negative serum results for measles IgG Abs and considered un-protected to measles infection. Sero-positivity increased to 85 % among the study sample. Mean measles IgG Abs. titer prior to the vaccination was negative (0.294 mIU/ml), to became positive (0.449mIU/ml) after re-vaccination with measles containing vaccine (MCV). Conclusions: Immunity among the study sample was low. While it is unclear that the susceptible population can support continuous, indigenous transmission of measles. Recommendation to health care providers to evaluate measles susceptibility of individuals born in the vaccine era and vaccinate eligible patients.