Measles Immunity Status of Greek Population After the Outbreak in 2017-2018: Results From a Seroprevalence National Survey

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202306.1156.v1
• Publication Date: 2023-06-16T00:11:37Z
• Authors: Asimina Nasika; Zacharoula Bogogi...; Varvara A. Moucht...; Katerina Dadouli; Maria A. Kyritsi; Alexandros Vontas; Ioanna Voulgaridi; Zafeiris Tsinaris; Konstantina Kola; Alexia Matziri; Athanasios G. Lianos; Ourania Founta; Ourania Kontogianni; Fani Kalala; Efthimia Petinaki; Matthaios Speletas; Christos Hadjichr...
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Herd Immunity

Accurate data on susceptibility rates against measles in general population of Greece are scarce. Many studies estimate the vaccination coverage but none has calculated nationwide immunity rate, involving all age groups, virus. The purpose our study was to determine status measles, especially after latest outbreak 2017-2018. In total, 3,972 leftover blood samples were collected from a laboratory network using geograph-ically stratified sampling strategy and tested for presence specific IgG anti-bodies. overall crude seroprevalence 89.6% adjusted 89.8% (95% CI: 88.8% - 90.8%). There no statistically significant difference seropositivity among sexes (p=0.783). Higher antibody titer found older groups ≥ 41 years old (94.9%, 95% 93.7% 95.9%, 730.0 IU/l) comparison younger individuals 1-40 (83.4%, 81.6% 85.7%, 616.5 IU/l). ). Comparing Nomenclature Territorial Units Statistics (NUTS 2), estimated them (<0.001). two regions where higher incidence observed during 2017-2018 outbreak, Eastern Macedonia Thrace Western Greece, four with lower (84.6%, 79.9% -89.4% 85.9%, 81.4% 90.4%, respectively). Our showed gap that affects makes new likely. Enforcement campaigns ad-dressing vaccine hesitancy could bridge it achieve required target herd immunity.