title: Seroprevalence of rubella antibodies in The Netherlands after 32 years of high vaccination coverage.
abstract: Here we present rubella virus specific antibody levels in a large cross-sectional population-based serosurveillance study performed in The Netherlands in 2006/2007. In the nationwide sample, seroprevalence was high (95%). Higher levels of rubella specific antibodies were observed in the naturally infected cohorts compared with the vaccinated cohorts. After both vaccinations, the geometric mean concentration of rubella specific antibodies remained well above the protective level. However, antibody concentrations decreased faster after one than after two vaccinations. Infants too young to be vaccinated were a risk group in the nationwide sample. In the orthodox protestant group, individuals younger than 6 years of age were at risk for an infection with rubella, consistent with a small local outbreak that recently occurred at an orthodox protestant primary school. The general Dutch population is well protected against an infection with rubella virus. However, monitoring the rubella specific seroprevalence remains an important surveillance tool to assess possible groups at risk.
authors: Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Gaby.Smits@rivm.nl.
authors: Gaby
authors: G
authors: Smits
authors: Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Liesbeth
authors: L
authors: Mollema
authors: Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Hahné
authors: Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Hester
authors: H
authors: de Melker
authors: Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Irina
authors: I
authors: Tcherniaeva
authors: Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: van der Klis
authors: Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Berbers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012411:Rubella Vaccine; C040901:rubella antibodies
keywords: Antibody levels; Cross-sectional population-based serosurveillance study; Rubella virus; Seroprevalence