EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MEASLES IMMUNITY IN A POPULATION OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Objective: To evaluate epidemiologic factors that can be used to predict lack of measles immunity in healthcare workers. Design: During mandatory screening of employees for measles antibody, a questionnaire was used to collect demographic information. Setting: Inpatient hospital, acute care clinics, and skilled nursing facility of a health maintenance organization. Participants: Employees of all ages and occupations. Results: Measles immunity could not be predicted from history of measles disease and vaccination, gender, or birthplace. Of nonimmune employees, 63.7% were in the 20- to 29-year-old age group and 26.5% were in the 30-to 39-year-old age group. Conclusions: Age is the most clinically Significant predictor of measles antibody, especially in persons born after 1950, who make up a large group susceptible to measles.