Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Measles, Rubella and Varicella among Asylum Seekers Arriving in Lower Saxony, Germany, November 2014–October 2015

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Armin Baillot¹  Salla E. Toikkanen¹  Johannes Dreesman¹  Elke Mertens¹ 

[1] Governmental Institute of Public Health of Lower Saxony (Niedersächsisches Landesgesundheitsamt, NLGA), Roesebeckstraße 4-6, Hanover 30449, Germany;

关键词: measles;    rubella;    varicella;    asylum seekers;    seroprevalence;    IgG;    immunisation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph13070650

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The number of asylum seekers arriving in Germany has increased rapidly since 2014 and cases of vaccine-preventable diseases at reception centres were reported. Asylum seekers 12 years and older arriving in Lower Saxony were serologically screened for antibodies against measles, rubella and varicella between November 2014 and October 2015. We calculated the seroprevalence from the screening data by disease, country of origin and age group and compared them to literature-based herd immunity thresholds in order to identify immunisation gaps. In total, 23,647 specimens were included in our study. Although the vast majority of asylum seekers tested positive for antibodies against measles, rubella and varicella, the seroprevalences were not sufficient to ensure herd immunity. The seroprevalences varied substantially between countries of origin and increased with age. Immunisation of asylum seekers against measles, rubella and varicella is needed and the detailed information on seroprevalences among subgroups of asylum seekers can be used for targeted immunisations at reception centres.

【 授权许可】

Unknown