Measles seroprevalence among health care professionals during a period of increased transmission: A pilot study in Southern Italy

TL;DR

A study in Southern Italy found high measles immunity among healthcare workers, but younger women and smokers had lower protection, suggesting a need for targeted vaccination.

Contribution

The study identifies smoking and younger female gender as risk factors for measles immunity gaps among healthcare professionals.

Findings

96% of healthcare professionals were immune to measles.

Younger female healthcare workers showed the largest immunity gaps.

Smoking was independently linked to reduced measles immunity.

Abstract

•High measles seroprevalence (96%) observed among health care professionals.•Younger female health care professionals showed the greatest immunity gaps.•Smoking status was independently associated with reduced immunity.•No significant differences across gender, body mass index, or occupation.•Findings highlight the need for targeted vaccination strategies.

High measles seroprevalence (96%) observed among health care professionals.

Younger female health care professionals showed the greatest immunity gaps.

Smoking status was independently associated with reduced immunity.

No significant differences across gender, body mass index, or occupation.

Findings highlight the need for targeted vaccination strategies.

Measles continues to be a significant public health concern worldwide, with suboptimal vaccination coverage contributing to periodic outbreaks, even in Europe. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, regional disparities and declining vaccination coverage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have increased the risk of measles transmission in Italy.

This study aimed to assess measles seroprevalence among health care professionals (HCPs) and explore associated socio-demographic factors in a country with a high level of measles circulation.

Data were collected from 148 HCPs across two hospitals in Southern Italy. Serologic analyses were performed on 121 of the 148 enrolled HCPs, revealing an overall seroprevalence of 96%; however, there was a substantial proportion of non-immune young female HCPs. Furthermore, smoking was significantly associated with reduced immunoglobulin levels (adjusted odds ratio = 13.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.07-166.2; P <0.04).

These findings underscore the importance of routine serological monitoring among HCPs to inform booster vaccination strategies to fill immunity gaps in high-risk groups and settings.

Figures