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Rubella epidemiology in South East England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

D. J. Nokes
Affiliation:
Parasite Epidemiology Research Group, Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College, London University, London SW7 2BB
R. M. Anderson
Affiliation:
Parasite Epidemiology Research Group, Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College, London University, London SW7 2BB
M. J. Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, University College London and the Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London University, London WC1E 6JJ
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Analyses of data collected in a large survey (sample size > 3000) of rubella antibody in South East England, finely stratified according to age, reveal age-dependent changes in the pattern of virus transmission. The rate or force of infection changes from low in the young children to high in the 5 - to 15-year-olds and back to low again in the adult age classes (there is a 50% reduction between the 5- to 15-year-olds and the 20+-year-olds). Raised levels of immunity are recorded in the teenage and young adult female segments of the population as a consequence of the UK rubella immunization programme. Mean antibody concentrations show a decline with age and are, on average, lower in vaccinated females when compared with unvaccinated males of the same age. The interpretation of horizontal cross-sectional serological data and future research needs are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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