Prevalence of antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella in the childhood population in Singapore, 2008-2010

Epidemiol Infect. 2013 Aug;141(8):1721-30. doi: 10.1017/S0950268812002130. Epub 2012 Sep 24.

Abstract

We undertook a national paediatric seroprevalence survey of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) in Singapore to assess the impact of the national childhood immunization programme against these three diseases after introduction of the trivalent MMR vaccine in 1990. The survey involved 1200 residual sera of Singapore residents aged 1-17 years collected from two hospitals between 2008 and 2010. The overall prevalence of antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella was 83∙1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 80∙9-85∙1], 71.8% (95% CI 69∙1-74∙2) and 88∙5% (95% CI 86∙6-90∙2), respectively. For all three diseases, the lowest prevalence was in children aged 1 year (47∙8-62∙3%). The seroprevalence of the vaccinated children declined over time. The national MMR immunization programme is effective in raising the herd immunity of the childhood population, although certain age groups are more susceptible to infection, in particular, those who are not eligible for vaccination at age <15 months.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Measles / immunology
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Measles virus / immunology
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / immunology*
  • Mumps / immunology
  • Mumps / prevention & control
  • Mumps virus / immunology
  • Prevalence
  • Rubella / immunology
  • Rubella / prevention & control
  • Rubella virus / immunology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Singapore

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine