Measles situation in Serbia in an era of measles elimination (2007-2009)

Nedeljković, Jasminka; Rakic-Adrovic, S.; Lazić, Biserka; Kovačević, Vojin; Lončarević, Goranka; Kanazir, Milena; Seguljev, Z; Petrović, Vladimir; Milosevic, Vesna; Žakula, Nevenka; Begovic, I.; Hübschen, Judith M.

doi:10.2298/abs1303169n

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(6 reference statements)

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“…Similar to the methodology that was used in previously conducted research [21], final classifications of measles cases were done according to the WHO criteria [9]. In accordance with previously described procedures [22], laboratory confirmation of measles was performed in the WHO Measles/Rubella National Reference Laboratory at the Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera “TORLAK” Belgrade. Measles surveillance data i.e.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sero-epidemiological study in prediction of the risk groups for measles outbreaks in Vojvodina, Serbia

et al. 2019

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Background Age-stratified serologic surveys provide insight into the gaps of measles-specific immunity as well as estimates of the age-specific seroprevalence. The aim of this study was to describe the measles sero-epidemiology in Vojvodina before the occurrence of outbreak in 2017/18 and to discuss preventive measures for potential future epidemics. Methods A seroprevalence study was conducted from April 2015 to June 2017 on serum bank of 3199 residual samples. Study was performed prior to the last measles outbreak in Vojvodina that occurred between 12th November 2017 and 30th June 2018. Measles-specific IgG antibodies were determined using an indirect chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Results Median age of enrolled participants was 20 years (IQR 11–37). Overall, 86.9% serum samples were seropositive. The highest proportion of measles seronegativity was observed in children aged 12–23 months of age and in adults aged 20–39 years (56.1% and 18.5%, respectively). Prevalence of measles seronegativity above WHO target levels susceptibility was observed in the following age groups: 2, 7, 13, 15, and among all adults aged between 20 and 49 years. Out of total measles outbreak cases (177), there were 91 (51.4%) participants aged 20–39 years. A significant positive correlation was observed between measles seronegativity and the number of reported measles cases aged ≥ 12 months (r = 0.4675, p = 0.0213). Conclusions In order to prevent new outbreaks and achieve the elimination of measles in Vojvodina, the vaccination coverage of both measles-mumps-rubella (MMR1 and MMR2) vaccines needs to be improved and sustained. Educational campaigns for the improvement of acceptance and timely vaccination with vaccine against measles among doctors and the general population are crucial. Our results indicate possible gap in measles protection in adults born during implementation of one dose of measles vaccine and prioritize supplementary immunization activities targeting adults in Vojvodina, Serbia.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sero-epidemiological study in prediction of the risk groups for measles outbreaks in Vojvodina, Serbia

et al. 2019

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“…The outbreak in 1997 with 4000 cases was the last large outbreak in the country. A smaller outbreak with 191 cases was recorded in Vojvodina in 2007 [12]. Between 2008 and the end of 2010 only a few sporadic measles cases were reported in Serbia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resurgence of measles in Serbia 2010–2011 highlights the need for supplementary immunization activities

et al. 2015

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Between December 2010 and August 2011 an outbreak of measles occurred in Serbia with 363 reported cases. Sera and/or nose/throat swabs were collected from 193 patients and tested for measles-specific IgM antibodies by ELISA and viral RNA by RT-PCR, respectively. Epidemiological data were obtained from the surveillance database of the Institute of Public Health of Serbia. Of the 363 cases involved in the outbreak, 113 were laboratory confirmed. More than one third of the patients were hospitalized (n = 130, 35·8%) and for 15 (4·1% of the reported outbreak cases) the infection was complicated by pneumonia. Mostly pre-school children aged ⩽4 years (37·8%) and adults aged ⩾30 years (27·3%) were affected. The majority of patients belonged to the Roma population with a preponderance of female cases (57·0%). Nearly 94% of the patients were either unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status. The main outbreak virus was the D4-Hamburg strain. The outbreak in Serbia occurred after several years of very low measles incidence despite a high routine immunization coverage in the general population, suggesting that special efforts to identify and vaccinate susceptible population groups are required even in countries with apparently good disease control.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Measles Vaccination Coverage and Estimated Catch-Up Efforts for Serbia

Burgess,

Lisul,

Pawaskar

et al. 2024

Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal

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Background: Measles is highly infectious, requiring ≥95% vaccine coverage rate (VCR) to prevent outbreaks. This study aimed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine measles-containing vaccine (MCV) VCRs in Serbia and estimate national and regional catch-up vaccination required to prevent outbreaks. Methods: A multiplier model was used to calculate annual MCV dose 1 (MCV1) and MCV dose 2 (MCV2) VCRs for children 1-6 and 6-12 years of age, respectively, for 2011-2022. Postpandemic (2023–2024) VCRs were modeled. The numbers of administered doses were compared to prepandemic and postpandemic, and monthly catch-up rates were calculated for 12-, 18- and 24-month campaigns. Results: Between prepandemic and pandemic periods, national MCV1 VCR decreased from 88% to 81%, while MCV2 VCR decreased from 92% to 89%, corresponding to 20,856 missed MCV1 and 8760 missed MCV2 doses. Assuming national VCRs returned to prepandemic levels post-2022, 18% of children 1-6 years of age and 11% of children 6-12 years of age would have missed their MCV1 and MCV2 doses, respectively, by 2024. To catch up missed doses under this scenario, most regions would require monthly catch-up rates of 25%, 16% or 12% for MCV1 and 14%, 9% or 7% for MCV2, considering 12-, 18- or 24-month campaigns, respectively. Conclusions: The pandemic negatively impacted MCV VCRs in Serbia, leaving a sizeable proportion of children with missed doses. Significant catch-up efforts are required to recover VCRs to prepandemic levels and avoid future measles outbreaks, with increased monthly administration rates versus those in prepandemic periods.

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Measles situation in Serbia in an era of measles elimination (2007-2009)

Cited by 3 publications

References 7 publications

Sero-epidemiological study in prediction of the risk groups for measles outbreaks in Vojvodina, Serbia

Sero-epidemiological study in prediction of the risk groups for measles outbreaks in Vojvodina, Serbia

Resurgence of measles in Serbia 2010–2011 highlights the need for supplementary immunization activities

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Measles Vaccination Coverage and Estimated Catch-Up Efforts for Serbia

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