TY - JOUR
T1 - The risk of measles, mumps, and varicella among young adults
T2 - A serosurvey of US navy and marine corps recruits
AU - Struewing, J. P.
AU - Hyams, K. C.
AU - Tueller, J. E.
AU - Gray, G. C.
PY - 1993
Y1 - 1993
N2 - Objectives. To assess the risk of epidemic transmission and to guide immunization policy, the seroprevalence of antibody to measles, mumps, and varicella was determined in a group of young adults. Methods. A cross- sectional study of 1533 US Navy and Marine Corps recruits was conducted in June 1989. Antibody status was determined with commercially available enzyme- linked immunosorbent assays. Results. Direct sex and race adjustment to the 15- to 29-year-old US population resulted in seronegativity rates of 17.8% for measles, 12.3% for mumps, and 6.7% for varicella. Measles and mumps seronegativity rates were higher among Whites whereas varicella seronegativity was higher among non-Whites. Recruits enlisting from outside the 50 US states, especially those from island territories, were more likely to lack varicella antibody. The sensitivity of a positive history of vaccination or disease in predicting antibody status was less than 90% for all diseases. Conclusions. These results suggest a continued potential for epidemics, especially of measles, and the need for mandatory immunization policies. Immigrants to the United States, especially those from island territories, may be a high-risk group that could benefit from varicella vaccination.
AB - Objectives. To assess the risk of epidemic transmission and to guide immunization policy, the seroprevalence of antibody to measles, mumps, and varicella was determined in a group of young adults. Methods. A cross- sectional study of 1533 US Navy and Marine Corps recruits was conducted in June 1989. Antibody status was determined with commercially available enzyme- linked immunosorbent assays. Results. Direct sex and race adjustment to the 15- to 29-year-old US population resulted in seronegativity rates of 17.8% for measles, 12.3% for mumps, and 6.7% for varicella. Measles and mumps seronegativity rates were higher among Whites whereas varicella seronegativity was higher among non-Whites. Recruits enlisting from outside the 50 US states, especially those from island territories, were more likely to lack varicella antibody. The sensitivity of a positive history of vaccination or disease in predicting antibody status was less than 90% for all diseases. Conclusions. These results suggest a continued potential for epidemics, especially of measles, and the need for mandatory immunization policies. Immigrants to the United States, especially those from island territories, may be a high-risk group that could benefit from varicella vaccination.
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U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.83.12.1717
DO - 10.2105/AJPH.83.12.1717
M3 - Article
C2 - 8259801
AN - SCOPUS:0027132030
SN - 0090-0036
VL - 83
SP - 1717
EP - 1720
JO - American Journal of Public Health
JF - American Journal of Public Health
IS - 12
ER -