the evaluation of anti measles igg antibody level five years after mass vaccination of measles- rubella among the medical students of baqiyatallah university of medical sciences

introduction: measles is a severe contagious disease preventable by vaccination. besides the prevalence of measles in iran, ministry of health conducted a nation-wide vaccination against measles for all the 5-25 years old population in 2003. this study was done to evaluate the anti measles igg antibody among the medical students from baqiyatallah university of medical science. materials & methods: this cross-sectional study was accomplished on 196 medical students of baqiyatallah university of medical science. the chart contained age, history of vaccination in childhood, history of vaccination in 2003, history of measles, any familial history of measles, history of contact with measles cases and any experience of fever during vaccination. the existence of igg was confirmed by elisa test in 5 cc blood taken from each case. findings: all the cases were male with the mean age of 23/5 ± 3/01. the history of vaccination was positive in childhood in 194 people (99%). the history of vaccination in 2003 was positive in 188 cases (95/9%). measles infection history was positive in 14 people (7/1%), family in 17 cases (8/7%), contact with measles cases in 19 people (9/7%) and fever during vaccination in 1 person (0/5%). anti measles igg antibody was positive in 174 people (88/8%), negative in 19 (9/7%) and equivocal in 3 (1/5%). discussion & conclusion: our results indicated that the igg level among the students was not sufficient to prevent small epidemics. since the medical students are living in a high risk area, the evaluation of measles igg antibody before prescription of the vaccine is suggested.