Seroprevalence of measles antibodies among health professionals of Estonia

Objectives Outbreaks of measles have been reported in Europe, including in countries that have previously eliminated endemic transmission. Seroprevalence data are needed to predict the outbreak cycles. No published measles seroprevalence data is available from Estonia and only few from Eastern Europe have been published. The objective of this study is to describe measles seropositivity in Estonia. Methods Between February and June 2019, all 1300 health care workers of an academic hospital were invited. From the 738 (56.7%) respondent (90% female, mean age (SD) of 47 (12) years), IgG measles titre were measured. Results Among the participants, 71% were seropositive. When data were further analysed according to vaccination birth cohorts, the oldest cohort (born before vaccination was introduced in 1964) had the highest seropositivity proportion (91%), vs. other birth cohorts with various types of vaccines (around 60%). Conclusions Measles seropositivity is lower than the threshold level to interrupt endemic virus transmission. No difference in seroprevalence among participants who received various types of measles vaccines.