Impact of 10-year measles, mumps and rubella booster vaccination program among healthcare personnel: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to assess the effects of a single-dose measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) booster vaccination, without prior testing, on MMR immunity and infection among vulnerable healthcare personnel (HCP) 10 years after implementation in a highly vaccinated population.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, cross-sectional study to assess the MMR seroprevalence in HCP and health examinees enrolled from December 2021 through April 2023. Since 2013, the hospital has provided a single-dose MMR booster vaccine to HCP working in high-risk units and those born in or after 1981 (≤41 years of age). HCP who met the Taiwan CDC's operational criteria for measles immunity were exempted. MMR-specific IgG antibodies were measured, and detailed vaccination histories were obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 732 participants were enrolled, including 528 HCP and 204 health examinees. The median age was 43 years, and 74.6 % were female. The overall seroprevalence rates of measles, mumps, and rubella were 89.8 %, 91.0 % and 88.0 %, respectively. The measles seroprevalence rate was lowest among participants aged 31-40 years (80.4 % in HCP and 82.4 % in health examinees). In multivariable analysis, age was associated with measles seropositivity (per 1-year increase, aOR, 1.08; 95 % CI 1.04-1.12). Receiving MMR booster vaccination in adulthood was associated with seropositivity for measles (aOR, 2.77; 95 % CI, 1.46-5.24) and mumps (aOR, 2.39; 95 % CI, 1.23-4.65). No cases of measles acquisition or intra-hospital spread were identified among HCP during the past 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS

An MMR booster vaccination program is feasible and effective in maintaining high seropositivity rates for MMR, particularly among HCP at risk of waning immunity.