Herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases among healthcare workers (according to serum bank materials)

Objective. To assess individual and herd immunity against the pathogens of vaccine-preventable infections in a risk group (healthcare workers) according to serum bank materials. Materials and methods. A total of 593 serum samples were tested for antibodies to the viruses of measles, rubella, and mumps and to the pathogens of diphtheria and tetanus in the regions with varying incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases (in case of the Republic of Buryatia and the Tver Region). Results. Mainly in the 18-49 years age group, there were 18.6 and 5% of persons who were seronegative for measles virus in the Tver Region and the Republic of Buryatia, respectively. In Buryatia and the Tver Region, the absence of antibodies to rubella virus (1.5 and 4.6%, respectively) complies with the reference values; the individuals were susceptible to mumps (40.5 and 38.2%), diphtheria (11 and 15%), and tetanus (5.6 and 5.0%). Conclusion. The found excess of the reference number of persons who are seronegative for measles, mumps and diphtheria in the indicator group necessitates additional vaccination among the population of the Tver Region and the Republic of Buryatia in order to preserve epidemiological welfare.

measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, herd immunity, healthcare workers