Abstract
Mumps outbreaks and breakthrough infections of measles and rubella have raised concerns about waning of vaccine-induced immunity after two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. In the present follow-up study, serum IgG antibodies against mumps, measles and rubella, as well as the functional neutralizing antibodies against both the mumps vaccine strain and mumps outbreak strains were measured longitudinally in young adults that received a third MMR (MMR3) dose. The mumps-specific IgG and virus neutralizing antibody levels at 3 years after vaccination were still elevated compared to pre-vaccination antibody levels, although the differences were smaller than at earlier timepoints. Interestingly, subjects with low antibody levels to mumps before vaccination benefited the most as they showed the strongest antibody increase after an MMR3 dose. Three years after an MMR3 dose, all subjects had antibody levels to measles and rubella above the internationally agreed antibody cutoff levels for clinical protection. Our data support the recommendation that an MMR3 dose may provide additional protection for those that have become susceptible to mumps virus infection during outbreaks. MMR3 also resulted in an increase in anti-measles and rubella antibody levels that lasted longer than might have been expected.
Highlights
Over the last two decades, many mumps outbreaks have been reported among highly vaccinated populations in various countries
Since waning of vaccine-induced immunity is considered a major cause of the resurgence of mumps among vaccinated young adults, studies have been initiated to evaluate the effect of an additional third measles-mumps-rubella vaccine [MMR3] dose on mumps antibody levels [7,8]
Mumps-IgG-based seroprotection rates increased to 94% at 4 weeks post-vaccination, and seroprotection rates declined to 90% at 1 year and 87% at 3 years post-MMR3
Summary
Over the last two decades, many mumps outbreaks have been reported among highly vaccinated populations in various countries. Since waning of vaccine-induced immunity is considered a major cause of the resurgence of mumps among vaccinated young adults, studies have been initiated to evaluate the effect of an additional third measles-mumps-rubella vaccine [MMR3] dose on mumps antibody levels [7,8]. Based on these studies, an extra MMR3 dose is anticipated to be a good and safe intervention for controlling a mumps outbreak. During an outbreak, students who received an MMR3 dose had a lower risk of mumps compared to students who received two MMR doses [9]. This immunity boost is likely to be temporary, and the question of how long an MMR3 dose can provide protection against mumps remains
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
