Rubella epidemiology in South East England.
Analyses of data collected in a large survey (sample size greater than 3000) of rubella antibody in South East England, finely stratified according to age, reveal age-dependent changes in the pattern of virus transmission. The rate or force of infection changes from low in the young children to high in the 5- to 15-year-olds and back to low again in the adult age classes (there is a 50% reduction between the 5- to 15-year-olds and the 20+-year-olds). Raised levels of immunity are recorded in the teenage and young adult female segments of the population as a consequence of the UK rubella immunization programme. Mean antibody concentrations show a decline with age and are, on average, lower in vaccinated females when compared with unvaccinated males of the same age. The interpretation of horizontal cross-sectional serological data and future research needs are discussed.
D J
DJ
Nokes
R M
RM
Anderson
M J
MJ
Anderson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D009313:National Health Programs; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology; D012737:Sex Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012411:Rubella Vaccine