Biological view of vaccination described by mathematical modellings: from rubella to dengue vaccines.

The only rubella vaccine available in North America is the RA27/3 strain (isolated from the kidney of a rubella-infected fetus and attenuated) licensed in 1979, which substituted HPV77/DE5 strain vaccine due to concerns about waning immunity. The first dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia CYDTDV) was first registered in Mexico in December, 2015, which is a live recombinant tetravalent dengue vaccine. Rubella vaccine was applied since 1969, but tetravalent dengue vaccine is being used in large scale nowadays. In the past, based on unavailable information regarded to rubella vaccine, mathematical models were used to design vaccination schemes in order to avoid congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Currently, knowing that vaccine does not result in CRS, rubella vaccination is modelled as usual childhood infection. This experience of updated biological knowledge that influenced mathematical modellings of rubella vaccination is taken into account to reflect about the tetravalent dengue vaccine. We also address a discussion about the security of vaccination strategies.

A systematic review of rubella vaccination strategies implemented in the Americas: impact on the incidence and seroprevalence rates of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of rubella vaccination strategies on the rates of acquired rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in the Americas. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the literature (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Artemisa Database, LILACS Database, Evidence Portal, VHL-PAHO Portal, Scielo, and Grey-Literature sources) that was published from 1969-2010. We included studies on rubella incidence and seroprevalence rates that were associated with rubella vaccination. The quality of the studies was evaluated according to international guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies were identified: 2 clinical trials, 2 cohort studies, 3 transversal studies, 5 ecological studies, and 2 mathematical models. Childhood vaccination reduced the incidence of rubella by 23.6% to 99.6%, increased the occurrence of epidemic cycles in Argentina and in the United States, and shifted the illness to susceptible adults. Vaccination strategies that focused on women and children in Brazil were associated with a 5.5-fold greater incidence of rubella in men leading to new outbreaks and CRS. A combined vaccination strategy with a universal approach that included routine vaccination for boys, girls, women, and men in Mexico and in Costa Rica reduced the incidence of rubella by more than 98% and led to absence of CRS since 2008. A medium and a low risk of bias were found in 3 and 4 articles, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this review demonstrate that the combined vaccination strategy with a universal approach was the most effective strategy as evidenced by a drastic reduction in the number of cases and the interruption of endemic transmission of rubella in the Americas.

Evaluación de la seroprotección contra sarampión, rubéola y hepatitis B en niños menores de cinco años del Perú, 2011 / Evaluation of the seroprotection against measles, rubella and hepatitis B in children under 5 years of age in Peru, 2011

Objetivos. Estimar la prevalencia de anticuerpos contra sarampión, rubéola y hepatitis B en niños de 1 a 4 años del Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una encuesta nacional basada en la aplicación de un cuestionario y obtención de muestra de sangre capilar en papel de filtro para el estudio de anticuerpos contra sarampión, rubéola y hepatitis B en niños de 1 a 4 años. Se utilizó un muestreo probabilístico, estratificado y multietápico con inferencia a nivel nacional y siete ámbitos de estudio: Lima metropolitana, resto de costa urbana, costa rural, sierra urbana, sierra rural, selva urbana y selva rural. Las muestras de sangre capilar fueron procesadas siguiendo protocolos estandarizados para la determinación de anticuerpos mediante técnica de ELISA utilizando reactivos comerciales. Resultados. Se encontró una prevalencia nacional de 91,6% (IC95%: 90,6-92,7%), 91,3% (IC 95%: 90,3-92,4%) y 95,9% (IC 95%: 95,0-96,8%) para anticuerpos contra sarampión, rubéola y hepatitis B respectivamente. No se evidenció diferencias significativas de las prevalencias entre los diferentes ámbitos de estudio y en los diferentes estratos socioeconómicos de los conglomerados. Conclusiones. En niños de 1 a 4 años se ha estimado una prevalencia nacional de anticuerpos contra sarampión y rubéola entre 90-93%, mientras que para anticuerpos contra hepatitis B (anti-HBsAg) entre 95-97%.

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella and hepatitis B in children aged between 1 and 4 years in Peru. Materials and methods. A national survey was conducted based on a questionnaire and capillary blood sample taken on filter paper in order to study antibodies against measles, rubella and hepatitis B in children from 1 to 4 years of age. A stratified, multistage, probability sampling design was used to be representative at the national level and at level of seven ambits, including the Metropolitan Lima Area, the rest of the urban coast, the rural coast, the urban highlands, the rural highlands, the urban jungle and the rural jungle. The capillary blood samples were processed according to the standardized protocols for detection of antibodies using the ELISA technique and commercial reagents. Results. The survey showed a national prevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella and hepatitis B of 91.6% (CI 95%: 90.6%; 92.7%), 91.3% (CI 95%: 90.3%; 92.4%) and 95.9% (CI 95%: 95.0%; 96.8%) respectively. There was no evidence of significant differences in the prevalence among the ambits of study or among the socioeconomic strata of the conglomerates for any of the three types of antibodies. Conclusions. In children from 1 to 4 years of age, the national prevalence of antibodies against measles and Rubella was between 90-93%, while the prevalence of antibodies against Hepatitis B (anti-HBsAg) was between 95-97%.

[Evaluation of the seroprotection against measles, rubella and hepatitis B in children under 5 years of age in Peru, 2011]. / Evaluación de la seroprotección contra sarampión, rubéola y hepatitis B en niños menores de cinco años del Perú, 2011.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella and hepatitis B in children aged between 1 and 4 years in Peru. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A national survey was conducted based on a questionnaire and capillary blood sample taken on filter paper in order to study antibodies against measles, rubella and hepatitis B in children from 1 to 4 years of age. A stratified, multistage, probability sampling design was used to be representative at the national level and at level of seven ambits, including the Metropolitan Lima Area, the rest of the urban coast, the rural coast, the urban highlands, the rural highlands, the urban jungle and the rural jungle. The capillary blood samples were processed according to the standardized protocols for detection of antibodies using the ELISA technique and commercial reagents. RESULTS: The survey showed a national prevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella and hepatitis B of 91.6% (CI 95%: 90.6%; 92.7%), 91.3% (CI 95%: 90.3%; 92.4%) and 95.9% (CI 95%: 95.0%; 96.8%) respectively. There was no evidence of significant differences in the prevalence among the ambits of study or among the socioeconomic strata of the conglomerates for any of the three types of antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: In children from 1 to 4 years of age, the national prevalence of antibodies against measles and Rubella was between 90-93%, while the prevalence of antibodies against Hepatitis B (anti-HBsAg) was between 95-97%.

Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome elimination activities: Colombia, 2005-2006.

As part of regional commitments in the Americas aimed at elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, and consolidation of measles elimination, Colombia conducted mass vaccination of males and females aged 14-39 years in 2005-2006. The target population included 18,238< 443 persons (44% of the entire population). Vaccination activities were extended because of limited participation and public concerns about vaccine safety. Over a 10-month peroid, 17,697,717 doses of measles-rubella vaccine were administered, reaching 97% of the target population, including 96.4% of females and 97.6% of males. Estimated coverage exceeded 95% in 33 of 36 departments and districts, and in 3 others, it ranged from 92% to 95%. In rapid monitoring conducted in 504 (45%) of 1119 municipalities, 95% of persons in the target population were vaccinated. The Colombian experience underscores the importance of social mobilization at the local level, political commitment, and microplanning and offers lessons for future mass vaccination campaigns.

Advocacy and resource mobilization for rubella elimination in Guatemala.

This review describes the advocacy efforts to mobilize resources for the campaign to vaccinate men and women aged 9-39 years, with a goal of eliminating rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Guatemala. The country's investment in health has been historically low (0.9% of gross domestic product), and there has been a wide gap between the availability of economic resources and the need for economic resources for the immunization campaign. The review contains a summary of the investment made, the results of advocacy and resource mobilization, the vaccination coverage attained, and the campaign's impact on the disease.

Historical analysis of birth cohorts not vaccinated against rubella prior to national rubella vaccination campaign, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Brazil conducted mass rubella vaccination campaigns to meet disease elimination goals by 2010. An analysis of rubella vaccination opportunities was conducted to target population groups with concentrations of unvaccinated individuals. METHODS: Rubella vaccination strategies for all 27 states were reviewed between 1992 and 2006. Yearly vaccination coverage was calculated by dividing number of doses of measles-rubella or measles-mumps-rubella vaccines administered by census estimates of target populations. For annual birth cohorts (1967-2005), percentages of persons not vaccinated prior to 2007 were estimated by subtracting the highest coverage obtained in any vaccination strategy (routine or campaign) from 100%. Cohort analysis results were compared with rubella incidence by population group. RESULTS: An estimated 28.9 million males and 7.7 million females aged 2-40 years in 2007 remained unvaccinated against rubella, corresponding to 43.0% of males and 11.5% of females of these ages in Brazil. The highest percentages of unvaccinated birth cohorts (93.6%-98.1%) were identified among males aged 26-40 years. In rubella outbreaks reported during 2007, the highest disease incidence (22 cases per 100000 population) occurred among males aged 20-29 years. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of rubella vaccination opportunities identified concentrations of unvaccinated adults and adolescents for targeting mass vaccination to eliminate rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in Brazil.

Haiti 2007-2008 national measles-rubella vaccination campaign: implications for rubella elimination.

BACKGROUND: A national campaign was conducted in Haiti in 2007-2008 to vaccinate all children and adolescents aged 1-19 years with measles-rubella vaccine in support of achieving the Region of the Americas' 2010 goal of eliminating rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Measles-rubella vaccine was introduced into the country's routine childhood immunization schedule after the campaign. METHODS: A nationwide, stratified, multistage cluster sample survey of 20859 children was conducted to assess coverage using house-to-house interviews. RESULTS: Estimated national coverage with measles-rubella vaccine was 79.2% (95% confidence interval, 77.6%-80.7%), ranging from 90.2% in Nord-Ouest Department to 70.0% in Cite Soleil Metropolitan Area. National coverage was lower for children aged 1-5 years (76.7%) than for those aged 6-19 years (80.3%) (P< .001) but similar in rural departments (79.4%) and metropolitan areas (78.6%; P = .61). The reasons most frequently cited for nonparticipation in the campaign were that the child was ill or unavailable (18.6%), did not know vaccinations were important (13.8%), did not know when to go or forgot to go (13.3%), and did not have enough time (12.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The measles-rubella vaccination campaign was critical for raising rubella immunity levels in children and adolescents in Haiti. To remain free of rubella transmission and CRS, Haiti must also achieve and sustain high routine measles-rubella vaccination coverage and maintain high-quality integrated measles-rubella and CRS surveillance, including laboratory-based confirmation for reported rash illnesses. If routine measles-rubella vaccination coverage is suboptimal or if gaps in coverage are identified, additional mass campaigns with measles-rubella vaccine will be necessary.

Congenital rubella syndrome surveillance in Honduras.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) surveillance was established in Honduras to determine the scope of the problem and assess the impact of vaccination. METHODS: Implementation of the surveillance system required the drafting of national CRS epidemiological surveillance guidelines, the development of a laboratory diagnostic method, and training of physicians, nurses, and microbiologists in the Honduran hospital network and social security system on CRS surveillance guidelines. RESULTS: Honduras' experience with the surveillance of other vaccine-preventable diseases facilitated the implementation of hospital-based CRS surveillance. The surveillance system operates in 23 of the 25 public hospitals that offer services to children and at 2 social security hospitals; the private sector has not been integrated into this system. Clinical and technical staff, including representatives from various disciplines such as pediatrics, neonatology, general medicine, epidemiology, nursing, and microbiology, participate in the hospital network, as well as follow up on cases in accordance with the standardized guidelines, depending on their areas of expertise. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the CRS surveillance system requires technical guidelines, laboratory diagnostic capacity, and trained multidisciplinary human resources for its systematization and operation.

Serologic status of women in an urban population in Brazil before and after rubella immunization campaign using routine screening data.

BACKGROUND: Serologic immunity studies are necessary to evaluate immunization policies for rubella control and prevention of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), and serologic data from regular testing for clinical follow-up can be used to complement surveillance information. METHODS: To assess immunity to rubella after an immunization campaign in 12-29-year-old girls and women, we retrospectively reviewed immunoglobulin (Ig) G tests performed from 2000 to 2003 in 9610 serum samples from pregnant subjects in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Serologic tests for rubella were performed using commercial enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS: Rubella IgG were positive in 83.9% of serum samples collected before the campaign and in 92.5% after the campaign. The proportion of seropositive subjects was inversely related to age (P < .001). The proportion of immune girls or women aged 12-29 years, targeted by the campaign, was significantly increased after the campaign, whereas women aged ≥ 30 years, not targeted by the campaign, had no change in serologic immunity. Geometric mean titers for rubella IgG were significantly higher among pregnant girls and women after the vaccination campaign. CONCLUSIONS: The convenience sample provided evidence of increased population immunity among the girls and women targeted by the campaign, but with a coverage of only 83% there remains a significant population at risk for rubella and thus congenital rubella syndrome.

Rubella outbreaks following virus importations: the experience of Chile.

BACKGROUND: Strategies for accelerated control of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in Chile included mass vaccination of women of childbearing age in 1999 but did not include vaccination of adult men. METHODS: We reviewed data from Chile's integrated surveillance system for measles, rubella, and CRS from 2004 through 2009 and describe the epidemiology of rubella outbreaks and implementation of control measures in 2005 and 2007 following mass vaccination of women. Population estimates from census data were used to calculate rubella incidence rates. The age distribution of rubella cases during 2007 was compared with rubella vaccination opportunities by birth cohort to orient mass vaccination of adult men. RESULTS: In 2005, an institutional outbreak of rubella occurred among male naval recruits 18-22 years of age, with 46 confirmed cases over a 5-month period. Beginning in March 2007, rubella outbreaks among young adults in the capital of Santiago spread throughout Chile, resulting in >4000 confirmed rubella cases. Delayed control measures and rapid dissemination among young adults led to widespread transmission. From 2007 through 2009, rubella incidence was highest among adult men not included in previous vaccination strategies. Mass vaccination of men 19-29 years of age was conducted in November 2007 to interrupt rubella transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Chile's experience suggests that vaccination strategies for rubella and CRS elimination need to include both men and women.

The use of rapid coverage monitoring in the national rubella vaccination campaign, Haiti 2007-2008.

BACKGROUND: Prior to introduction of rubella vaccine in Haiti's national immunization program, the Haitian government conducted a nationwide rubella-measles immunization campaign targeting persons 1-19 years of age to accelerate elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, while strengthening measles elimination. The national immunization campaign was conducted in phases by geographic region and combined multiple interventions to reach high coverage in all districts. METHODS: We analyzed reported data on number of doses administered and results of rapid monitoring by "commune" (district) to evaluate coverage for each vaccine and intervention in target populations. We reviewed measles and rubella surveillance data from Haiti's national surveillance system. RESULTS: Immunization registers recorded 4.7 million doses of measles-rubella (MR) vaccine administered to persons 1-19 years of age, reaching 80.2% of the estimated population of 1-4 year-olds and surpassing the target among 5-19 year-olds. In addition, 1 million children under 5 years of age received oral polio vaccine and vitamin A supplements, 1.5 million school children received deworming treatment nationwide, and over 500000 women 15-49 years old in 2 major population centers received diphtheria-tetanus vaccine. Based on administrative data, 102 (76.7%) of 133 communes attained 95% or greater coverage with MR vaccine among persons 1-19 years of age. Rapid monitoring in 118 communes indicated that coverage targets were reached in 52.5%. From 2007 to 2010, no confirmed cases of measles or rubella were reported from Haiti. CONCLUSIONS: The experience in Haiti suggests that rubella and congenital rubella syndrome can be eliminated through mass vaccination in countries with weak national immunization programs. However, high routine immunization coverage and improved surveillance are urgently needed to maintain measles and rubella elimination.

Rubella vaccination of unknowingly pregnant women during mass campaigns for rubella and congenital rubella syndrome elimination, the Americas 2001-2008.

BACKGROUND: Due to the significant teratogenicity of rubella virus and the use of a live-attentuated vaccine, pregnancy is a contraindication of receipt of rubella vaccine (RCV). Data collected from several countries that have observed susceptible women who had received RCV during pregnancy documented that no infant with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) has been born, so the risk is theoretical. As part of the regional initiative to eliminate rubella and CRS in the Americas, one of the key strategies was the vaccination of women of childbearing age. The implementation of mass vaccination campaigns targeting women of childbearing age in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Paraguay provided an opportunity to further increase the body of knowledge on the safety of rubella vaccine if an unknowingly pregnant woman is vaccinated in early pregnancy. METHODS: Using a standard protocol, women who were unknowingly pregnant or become pregnant ≤ 30 days after receiving RCV were evaluated to determine immunity status (eg, susceptible, immune, and unknown) at the time of vaccination. Susceptible pregnant women were observed to determine the outcome of the pregnancy. For pregnancies that resulted in live births, serum samples were obtained from the newborn for rubella immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody testing. If the newborn's serum sample was IgM positive, the infant was evaluated for manifestations of CRS. RESULTS: During the period 2001-2008, 48748253 women of childbearing age were vaccinated in the region of the Americas, 39542253 (81%) of whom were vaccinated in the 6 selected countries. Of these women, 30139 (0.07%) were pregnant or became pregnant ≤1 month after receiving vaccine and were followed up. On the basis of serological evaluation, 2894 (10%) women were classified as susceptible at the time of vaccination; of their pregnancies, 1980 (90%) resulted in a live birth. Sera from 70 (3.5%) of these infants were rubella IgM antibody positive, but none of the infants had features of CRS as a result of rubella vaccination. The maximum theoretical risk for CRS following rubella vaccination of susceptible pregnant women was 0.2%. Conclusions. The results of these studies from 6 select countries provides additional evidence showing an absence of risk of CRS associated with administering rubella vaccine shortly before or during pregnancy.

Putting safety first: ensuring safe vaccination practices during the 2006 rubella campaign in Bolivia.

Over 3 weeks in 2006, 3826083 persons were vaccinated against rubella during a national immunization campaign in Bolivia. This campaign was the largest mass immunization campaign ever conducted in the country. Therefore, in addition to strategic and micro-planning and financial and social mobilization, issues of safety (eg, safe injection practices and waste management) were at the forefront of campaign preparations. Waste management practices were promoted through guidelines, training, and implementation of locally appropriate solutions. These experiences show that, with detailed planning and preparation, in addition to collaboration among key partners, effective management of waste during campaigns in low-income countries is both feasible and beneficial. However, challenges remain in implementing environmentally appropriate solutions. This campaign served as the launching pad for a focus on ensuring that proper waste management practices are used both in the routine immunization program and in subsequent campaigns across Bolivia.

Pregnancy outcomes following rubella vaccination: a prospective study in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2001-2002.

BACKGROUND: A rubella mass vaccination campaign targeting 15-29-year-old women was performed in Brazil in 2001-2002. Rubella vaccination was contraindicated during pregnancy. A follow-up protocol was implemented for pregnant women who were vaccinated as well as their newborns. The risks of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and congenital rubella infection (CRI) after vaccination were assessed according to the pregnant women's immune status. METHODS: This was a prospective, noncontrolled study of pregnancy outcomes in women vaccinated against rubella in the state of Rio de Janeiro, including clinical and laboratory evaluations. RESULTS: Of 2292 reported pregnant women who were vaccinated, 1636 had known outcomes: there were 1577 newborns (96.4%), 52 miscarriages (3.2%), and 7 stillbirths (0.4%). Gestational age at vaccination was ≤ 5 weeks in 75% of the susceptible, vaccinated pregnant women. Nine newborns were positive for immunoglobulin M; 4 were born to susceptible pregnant women, for a 2.0% CRI rate (95% confidence interval, .5%-4.9%); 4 were born to vaccinated pregnant women with indeterminate or unknown status; and 1 had CRS, with a wild-type virus infection. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of vaccine-related CRS cases further supports recommendations to not interrupt a pregnancy exposed to rubella vaccine virus. Monitoring pregnancy outcomes and CRI with vaccine virus can distinguish between wild-type and vaccine virus infections, especially in situations of viral circulation.

Follow-up study of unknowingly pregnant women vaccinated against rubella in Brazil, 2001-2002.

BACKGROUND: Brazil conducted mass immunization of women of childbearing age in 2001 and 2002. Surveillance was initiated for vaccination of women during pregnancy to monitor the effects of rubella vaccination on fetal outcomes. METHODS: Women vaccinated while pregnant or prior to conception were reported to the surveillance system. Susceptibility to rubella infection was determined by anti-rubella immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG immunoassays. Susceptible women were observed through delivery. Live-born infants were tested for anti-rubella IgM antibody; IgM-seropositive newborns were tested for viral shedding and observed for 12 months for signs of congenital rubella syndrome. Incidence of congenital rubella infection was calculated using data from 7 states. RESULTS: A total of 22 708 cases of rubella vaccination during pregnancy or prior to conception were reported nationwide, 20,536 (90%) of which were from 7 of 27 states in Brazil. Of these, 2332 women were susceptible to rubella infection at vaccination. Sixty-seven (4.1%) of 1647 newborns had rubella IgM antibody (incidence rate, 4.1 congenital infections per 100 susceptible women vaccinated during pregnancy [95% confidence interval, 3.2-5.1]). None of the infants infected with rubella vaccine virus was born with congenital rubella syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: As rubella elimination goals are adopted worldwide, evidence of rubella vaccine safety aids in planning and implementation of mass adult immunization.

Rubella vaccination of unknowingly pregnant women: the São Paulo experience, 2001.

BACKGROUND: Rubella vaccination is contraindicated during pregnancy. During mass immunization of women of childbearing age against rubella, women unknowingly pregnant may be vaccinated. To evaluate the effects of rubella vaccination during pregnancy, the Brazilian state of São Paulo conducted a follow-up study of pregnant women vaccinated during a rubella campaign in 2001. METHODS: Women vaccinated during pregnancy were reported to a national surveillance system. In the state of São Paulo, follow-up of vaccinated women included household interviews. Serum samples from vaccinated women were tested for antirubella antibodies to classify susceptibility to rubella infection. Children born to susceptible mothers were tested for evidence of congenital rubella infection and evaluated for signs of congenital rubella syndrome. RESULTS: The São Paulo State Health Department received 6473 notifications of women vaccinated during pregnancy. Serology performed for 5580 women identified 811 (15%) that were previously susceptible. Incidence of spontaneous abortion or stillbirth among previously susceptible vaccinated women was similar to women with prior immunity. Twenty-seven (4.7%) of 580 newborns tested had evidence of congenital rubella infection; none had congenital rubella syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Mass rubella vaccination of women of childbearing age was not associated with adverse birth outcomes or congenital rubella syndrome among children born to women vaccinated during pregnancy.

Rubella vaccination of unknowingly pregnant women during 2006 mass campaign in Argentina.

We report a prospective study of 56 pregnant women inadvertently vaccinated with rubella vaccine during the 2006 campaign performed in Argentina. Of these patients, 48 (87%) were immune, whereas the remaining 9 (16%) were susceptible. In the latter group, 7 presented with a primary reaction to the vaccine confirmed through immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody avidity testing or seroconversion of IgG titers. During the clinical and laboratory follow-up, newborns did not present evidence of infection or malformations compatible with congenital rubella syndrome.

Campanha nacional de vacinação contra rubéola: perfil epidemiológico das gestantes vacinadas inadvertidamente com a dupla viral no estado do Pará em 2008 / National campaign of vaccination against rubella: epidemiological profile of pregnant women inadvertently vaccinated with the viral double in the state of Pará in 2008

Introdução: em relação à população não vacinada no Brasil, definiu-se a necessidade de realizar, no ano de 2008, uma campanha nacional de vacinação contra rubéola para homens e mulheres de 20 a 39 anos, o Plano de Vacinação para Eliminação da Rubéola. A despeito da segurança imputada à vacina, manteve-se a recomendação de não vacinar mulheres grávidas. Aquelas que, por desconhecimento ou qualquer razão, recebessem a vacina anti-rubéola até a 12ª semana de gestação, ou que engravidassem até 30 dias após o recebimento da vacina, foram notificadas e acompanhadas durante a gestação. Objetivo: descrever as características epidemiológicas das gestantes vacinadas inadvertidamente (GVI) contra rubéola, que foram notificadas no estado do Pará, no período de agosto a dezembro de 2008, segundo faixa etária, idade gestacional, situação imunológica, regionais e municípios. Material e Métodos: estudo epidemiológico descritivo transversal, utilizando-se as informações do banco de dados secundários das GVI durante a Campanha de Eliminação da Rubéola no estado do Pará em 2008. As variáveis foram coletadas do banco de dados secundário construído com o Epi Info 6.0, a partir das fichas de notificação de GVI contra rubéola. A classificação imunológica das GVI foi obtida a partir dos resultados da pesquisa de anticorpos específicos para rubéola pelo método ELISA (IgG e IgM), realizado pelo LACEN-PA.

Congenital rubella syndrome: progress and future challenges.

Since 1941, when Gregg first described the triad of deafness, cataracts and cardiac disease as the classical clinical manifestations of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), strong efforts have been implemented around the world to achieve effective preventive strategies. In Costa Rica, vaccination against rubella started in 1972 and in 1986, the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was introduced in the national schedule among 1-year-old children. This vaccination strategy shifted the susceptibility to other groups at child-bearing age. To protect this age group, in 2001 Costa Rica implemented a successful national immunization campaign targeting both men and women aged 15-39 years, followed by postpartum vaccination of women who were pregnant when the campaign was implemented. The epidemiological surveillance system of rubella and CRS cases was strengthened and it was integrated with the investigation and notification system of febrile eruptive diseases. We describe the Costa Rican experience, which has led to similar actions in other countries in Latin America. Challenges and strategies in the elimination of rubella and CRS are also discussed.