Swiss Medical Weekly
Volume 141, Issue JUNE, 2011

Improvement of measles immunity among migrant populations: Lessons learned from a prevalence study in a Swiss prison (Article) (Open Access)

Gétaz L.* , Rieder J.-P. , Siegrist C.-A. , Kramer M.-C. , Stoll B. , Humair J.-P. , Kossovsky M.-P. , Gaspoz J.-M. , Wolff H.
  • a Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
  • b Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
  • c Departments of Pathology - Immunology and Paediatrics, Centre for Vaccinology and Neonatal Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • d Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
  • e Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • f Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
  • g Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
  • h Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
  • i Department of Community Medicine, Primary Care and Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Measles persists worldwide despite the implementation of general vaccination campaigns. The environmental and demographic characteristics in many prisons increase the risk of measles epidemics. A large proportion of inmates come from countries where immunisation coverage is low. We aimed to estimate the susceptibility to measles among prisoners in order to implement preventative measures. METHODS: Serology screening for measles was carried out among 116 inmates in Switzerland's largest pre-trial prison. Socio-demographic characteristics were collected through a structured questionnaire. Risk factors for lack of measles immunity were examined. RESULTS: A total of 7 out of 116 (6%) inmates were not immune to measles. All 37 inmates from sub-Saharan Africa were immune. Considering only people native from regions other than sub-Saharan Africa, 7 of 40 inmates born after 1981 were susceptible (18.5%), whereas none of the 39 inmates born in 1981 or before were susceptible (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Susceptibility to measles was fairly low in this prison population composed mainly of migrants. Living in sub-Saharan Africa during childhood, and birth before 1982 were protective factors associated with the presence of immunity against measles. The heterogeneity of vaccination campaigns in the various regions of the world, particularly in terms of the timing of their introduction and scale of diffusion, explains epidemiological variability. Targeted vaccination in accordance to origin and age would offer excellent herd immunity and would substantially reduce risks of outbreaks as well as costs.

Author Keywords

Transients and migrants measles Vaccination Immunity Prisons

Index Keywords

immigrant demography human immunity childhood epidemiological data population risk social status male preventive health service risk factor prevalence Article prison epidemic major clinical study adult serology disease predisposition vaccination immunization structured questionnaire measles Switzerland
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79960234741&doi=10.4414%2fsmw.2011.13215&partnerID=40&md5=bd81af265e67c67119664d6d03b16a78
DOI: 10.4414/smw.2011.13215
ISSN: 14247860
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English