Sero-response to measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign in Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign targeting primary school children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the months of January and February 2000.


METHODS
Pre and post measles-mumps-rubella vaccine blood samples were collected from 54 children from the first grade and 96 children from the 6th grade. Antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella were assayed using enzyme immunoassay and a backup test of plaque neutralization test. This assay was carried out at the Reference Center, Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.


RESULTS
When the backup test results were added, 96%-98% of children had protection level against measles before the campaign. It is interesting to notice that pre-vaccination measles mean titer and positivity rate with enzyme linked immunoassay in the first grade were significantly lower than the 6th grade. One hundred percent and 96.8% were positive for rubella antibody before the campaign, in the first and 6th grades. Seventy-seven percent and 67% were positive for mumps before the campaign, in the first and 6th grade. After the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign, protection rate reached 100% for the 3 antigens with a statistically significant boosting effect and increase in geometric mean of the titre.


CONCLUSIONS
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign was effective in increasing protective levels and boosting antibodies against the 3 targeted diseases which can prevent epidemics in the primary schools.
Al-Mazrou
Yagob Y
YY
Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. yalmazrou@hotmail.com
Khalil
Mohamed K
MK
Tumsah
Salah
S
Al-Ghamdi
Yasser S
YS
Al-Jeffri
Mohamed H
MH
Tischer
Andore B
AB
Mishkhas
Ameen A
AA
Eissa
Mostafa
M
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D013997:Time Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine