Evaluation of the seroprevalence of measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella and the requirement for additional vaccination based on the JSIPC guidelines among emergency medical technicians at eight fire stations in Narita, Japan: a project review

Abstract

Limited data are available regarding the seroprevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) among emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Japan. The present study aimed to review a project to evaluate adequate immunity against MMRV for the requirement of additional vaccination among EMTs in accordance with the Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control guidelines. A retrospective observational study was conducted as part of a vaccination program for EMTs. Each participant was evaluated for medical history, vaccination history, and serology using the criteria established by the Japanese Society of Infection Prevention and Control. In total, 85 EMTs (median age, 31 years; male, 92.9%) were included. Among the included EMTs, 32 (37.6%), 54 (63.5%), 46 (54.1%), and 84 (98.9%) were seropositive for measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella, respectively, whereas 1 (1.2%), 6 (7.1%), 5 (5.9%), and 0 (0%) were seronegative. Furthermore, 48 (56.5%), 27 (31.8%), 45 (52.9%), and 8 (9.4%) EMTs received an additional dose of vaccines for measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella, respectively. The present study suggests that EMTs are not fully immune to MMRV, which highlights the need for confirming the immune status and additional vaccination requirement to prevent occupational infections.

Seroprevalence for Measles, Varicella, Mumps and Rubella in the Trainee Obstetric Population: A Survey in Southern Italy

“…The percentage of seroprevalence for mumps is 76.2%. This rate is lower than that reported in HCWs in South Korea (87%) [40] and Denmark (86.5%) [15], but higher than that reported for new nurses in Korea 60.2% [41] and Japan (54.1%) [42]. Numerous serological studies have explained that mumps antibody levels reduce with time since vaccination [43,44].…”

Susceptibility towards Chickenpox, Measles and Rubella among Healthcare Workers at a Teaching Hospital in Rome

“…This fact involves the possibility of using the serological screening of employees to offer a targeted and free vaccination offer, necessary to stop infectious transmission in the nosocomial setting. Assessing the immune status and additional vaccination requirement is really important to prevent hospital outbreaks as well as occupational infections [ 19 , 20 ].…”