1209. Seroprevalence of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella in Korean Healthcare Workers and Strategy for Vaccination

Abstract

BackgroundThe measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination to children was accelerated in South Korea as the National Immunization Programs in 1985. A two-dose MMR vaccination schedule was introduced in 1997. However, outbreaks of measles in healthcare institution continued to occur. Recent studies revealed that the seroprevalence of measles in healthcare workers (HCWs) was approximately 40–60% in twentieth. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of MMR antibodies in HCWs to establish strategy for vaccination.MethodsTo prevent nosocomial transmission of measles, test for MMR antibody of HCWs was conducted in three teaching hospitals from January to February in 2019. The testing was conducted only in the patient contact departments. We excluded HCWs who did a history of vaccination after starting their work. Anti-measles IgG and anti-mumps IgG was detected using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Anti-rubella IgG was detected using chemiluninescence microparticle immunoassay. Equivocal value was treated as negative. We also compare the costs between strategies two-dose vaccination without antibody tests and vaccination after antibody testing.ResultsTotal 598 HCWs were included in analysis. Of the HCWs tests, 92.6% were seropositive to measles, 86.6% to mumps, and 79.7% to rubella. In the linear regression analysis, the seropositive of measles and rubella antibodies was increased in proportion to age (β-coefficient 43.4, 95% CI 35.1–51.6, P < 0.001 and β-coefficient 10.2, 95% CI 7.2–13.2, respectively). But, the seropositive to mumps was not related to age (β-coefficient 2.6, 95% CI -5.4–10.7, P = 0.52). The HCWs who has seropositive to all MMR was 67.2%. It was highest in 1970th birthyear (77.1%) and lowest in 1980th birthyear (60.6%). It costs less 18,000 wons ($15.5) per HCWs in strategy of vaccination after antibody testing than two-dose vaccination without antibody testing.ConclusionOur data warrant the needs for routine antibody test for MMR, followed by MMR vaccination in Korean HCWS. We expect that this strategy can save costs and avoid unnecessary vaccination.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.