Seroprotection to vaccine‐preventable diseases among workers at a Victorian tertiary hospital

• Main Authors: Eden C. Andrew, Katherine B. Gibney, Justin Denholm, Karin Leder
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2016-06-01
• Series: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
• Subjects: vaccination; immunisation; vaccine‐preventable diseases; nosocomial infection
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12508

Abstract Objective: To determine seroprotection for the vaccine‐preventable diseases (VPDs) measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B among new employees seen at a Victorian tertiary hospital staff clinic. Methods: Employees who presented to the staff clinic for immunisation assessment between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013 were included. Demographic data, self‐reported disease history and previous vaccination status were reviewed retrospectively to determine impact on serological results. Results: A total of 1,901 new employees were included, 83% of whom were at risk of direct contact with blood or body substances. Overall, the proportion of workers seropositive to measles was 88%, mumps 90%, rubella 78%, varicella 93% and hepatitis B 80%. Staff born before 1966 were more likely to have positive measles or mumps serology but negative rubella or hepatitis B serology (p<0.05 for each). Staff who self‐reported measles (99% vs. 93%, p=0.03) or varicella infection (98% vs. 92%, p<0.001) were more likely to be seropositive, but those reporting previous vaccination to measles, mumps or rubella were no more likely to be seropositive. Conclusions and implications: This study demonstrated levels of seropositivity of 78–93% for the five VPDs. Despite recognised limitations of serological testing, 10–20% of new employees to a healthcare institution lacking seroprotection represents a potentially unacceptable risk of nosocomial transmission of these VPDs. Our findings support ongoing serological testing of new healthcare staff at risk of direct contact with blood or body substances.