title: Seroprevalence and immunization history of selected vaccine preventable diseases in medical students.
abstract: To evaluate protection against vaccine-preventable diseases in medical students, we obtained data on immunization status and history of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B from students with elective periods in our institution. Further, serum antibodies against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen were determined on a voluntary basis. For students with incomplete immunization status or lack of protective antibodies, vaccination was offered for free. Success of catch-up immunizations was serologically confirmed 4 weeks later. From May 1999 to April 2003, 170 students were enrolled; their mean age was 26 years with a median of 25 years (range 22-48 years). Immunization records were complete in 148 (87%), incomplete in 11 (6.5%) and missing in 11 (6.5%) students. Only 26% of the cohort had a complete and up-to-date immunization status. Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against measles, mumps, rubella, VZV and HBs (> or = 10 IU/l) in 149 students were 85, 85, 92, 97 and 90%, respectively. Indications for > or = 1 catch-up immunization were found in 125 (74%) students and were accepted by 97 of them (78%). Sixty two (99%) of 63 immunized students available for follow-up demonstrated an adequate serological response. In conclusion, the great majority of medical students had immunization gaps. Systematic immunization programmes for medical students should be implemented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Children's Hospital Basel, P.O. Box 8, CH-4005 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gurli
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baer
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bonhoeffer
authors.forename: Urs B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Schaad
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Heininger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013337:Students, Medical; D013557:Switzerland; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014612:Vaccines