Since rubella and measles have been eradicated in the US, is it still necessary to test for immunity and vaccinate non-immune health care providers?
Yes. When measles virus is introduced into a community, persons who work in healthcare facilities are at greater risk for acquiring measles than the general population (CDC. Measles, mumps and rubella – vaccine use and strategies for elimination of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome and control of mumps: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 1998; 47 (No. RR-8):13 or http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr4708.pdf ). Vaccination is still the best way to prevent rubella and measles in the US. Even though there is no sustained transmission of either measles or rubella in the US, there is always the risk of an imported case. This would occur if a traveler from a country where one or both of these diseases circulates visited the US while ill.
Related Questions
- Since rubella and measles have been eradicated in the US, is it still necessary to test for immunity and vaccinate non-immune health care providers?
- Would it be better to vaccinate my child with separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines rather than the MMR vaccine?
- Why do parents hesitate to vaccinate their children against measles, mumps and rubella?
