Present anti-measles immunity in Jordan.
The immunity of adults and the prevalence of measles was determined in order to evaluate the adequacy of current measles vaccination policy in Jordan. A total of 307 sera, collected from adults aged 18--40 years, were tested for anti-measles antibodies by ELISA technique. The overall prevalence of anti-measles antibodies was 94.8% and there was no significant difference in the seropositivity rate between males (95.7%) and females (94%). Of the tested adults, 71% were vaccinated and 29% escaped vaccination. In Jordan, measles outbreaks occur periodically and predominantly attack children aged 5--14 years. Our data support introducing the compulsory MMR vaccine in the year 2000 to improve the vaccination coverage of measles; since the optional single dose vaccination has not interrupted the circulation of the measles virus. A second dose of MMR vaccine could be offered to Jordanians either at school entry or at the age of 11--12 years, based on the outcome of the compulsory single dose of MMR vaccine.
Bdour
S
S
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. bsalwa@sci.ju.edu.jo
Batayneh
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine