Rubella susceptibility in sixth graders: effectiveness of current immunization practice
Lawless, M.R.; Abramson, J.S.; Harlan, J.E.; Kelsey, D.S.
Pediatrics 65(6): 1086-1089
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 7375231 Document Number: 158539
Rubella hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer was determined for 702 sixth grade students from nine randomly chosen schools in a community served well medically. Rubella immunization had been given by private physicians, the health department, hospital clinics, and through a mass immunization effort in 1970. The overall susceptibility rate, as defined by a rubella hemagglutination inhibition titer of less than 1:8, was 15%. Susceptibility did not differ significantly in regard to sex, race, or source of vaccine. Of 469 children with a documented rubella immunization, 13.2% were susceptible or vaccine failures. Menarche was reported by 30% of the girls. To increase the level of protection against rubella during the childbearing years, continued emphasis on early childhood immunization combined with consideration of a booster rubella immunization for preadolescents is recommended.