Estimating contact-adjusted immunity levels against measles in South Korea and prospects for maintaining elimination status

Vaccine. 2020 Jan 10;38(2):107-111. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.10.040. Epub 2019 Nov 1.

Abstract

Measles has been reemerging in South Korea since December 2018 resulting in 185 cases by September 2019. We calculated contact-adjusted immunity levels against measles in South Korea using national seroprevalence data in 2014, vaccination uptake rates, and an age-specific contact matrix. We further explored options to achieve a contact-adjusted immunity level of 93% for herd immunity. The assessed contact-adjusted immunity level has increased from 86% in 2014 to 92% in 2018. Herd immunity could be achieved with immunizing 50% of susceptibles among birth cohorts 1999-2003 in 2018. Contact-adjusted immunity levels against measles have increased recently in South Korea, although they might not yet be high enough to guarantee herd immunity.

Keywords: Herd immunity; Measles; Republic of Korea; Seroprevalence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Herd / immunology*
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles / immunology
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Measles Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Middle Aged
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Measles Vaccine