Exposure of Ugandan health personnel to measles and rubella: evidence of the need for health worker vaccination

Vaccine. 2006 Nov 17;24(47-48):6924-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.126. Epub 2006 Jun 28.

Abstract

With rubella and, until recently, measles highly endemic in Uganda, health personnel are at risk of these vaccine-preventable diseases and a source of transmission to patients. Measles and rubella serology (IgG) and history of exposure and vaccination were determined among 311 health care workers in a nationwide study. All tested positive for measles IgG, whereas 49.2% reported having been vaccinated. Rubella antibodies were present in 98.1% of personnel; 3.2% of women of child-bearing age were still susceptible. Increasing age and longer duration of service increased the risk of rubella infection. A national policy on health worker protection should include immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases upon entry to training.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Data Collection
  • Female
  • Health Personnel*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Male
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles / prevention & control*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Risk Factors
  • Rubella / epidemiology*
  • Rubella / prevention & control*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Uganda / epidemiology
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G