COVID-19 susceptibility and vaccination coverage for measles, rubella and mumps in students and healthcare workers in Trieste hospitals (NE Italy)

Abstract

BackgroundMeasles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines have been suggested as preventive measures to protect subjects from the worst sequelae of COVID-19 infection because neutralizing antibodies can cross-react with other viruses. AimTo verify COVID-19 infection in MMR vaccinated and non-vaccinated healthcare workers and medical students in Trieste Hospitals. ResultsNurse aids resulted in significantly more infections than structured physicians (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.14–2.80) while students resulted in less infections (OR, 0.66; 95% CI 0.43–1.01). The presence of an MMR vaccination was inversely associated with COVID-19 (OR, 0.77; 95% CI 0.61–0.96) but only in univariate analysis. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, MMR vaccination lost statistical significance (OR, 0.86; 95%CI 0.62–1.20).On 13 HCWs hospitalized for COVID-19, 11 resulted not vaccinated for MMR. DiscussionOur study found a mild, non-significant reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infections in workers vaccinated with MMR.