THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPHYLAXIS FOR MEASLES CONTACTS IN NSW.

Monday, 2nd of June 2014

[source]NSW Public Health Bulletin[|source]

Measles is a notifiable condition in NSW, and public health follow-up involves interviews with the affected person or carer, advice about minimising spread to others, identification of exposed contacts, and provision of prophylactic immunisation, using either measles-containing vaccine (within 72 hours of exposure) or normal human immunoglobulin (NHIG) within 7 days of exposure. Public health follow-up can be resource intensive but there are few data to indicate its effectiveness, and practice varies from country to country.

In this report, the authors sought to determine the effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis with either vaccine or immunoglobulin in susceptible persons with known measles contact. The report documents that post-exposure immunisation remains the most effective tool for preventing secondary cases of measles. More details are accessible at: http://www.publish.csiro.au/view/journals/dsp_journal_fulltext.cfm?nid=226&f=NB08014

 

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: As international estimates of the effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis of measles vary, we sought to determine the effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis with either vaccine or immunoglobulin in susceptible persons with known measles contact. 

METHODS: Data were obtained on all cases of measles notified in NSW between 1 March and 31 May 2006 and their contacts. The effectiveness of prophylaxis was calculated using the cohort method. 

RESULTS: During March to May 2006, 57 cases of measles were notified and 1760 measles contacts were identified, of which 553 were classified as susceptible. The calculated effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis with vaccine or immunoglobulin in preventing measles was 83.3% (95% CI: 27–96%).

CONCLUSION: Post-exposure immunisation remains an effective tool for preventing secondary cases of measles.