Younger teenagers are also at risk of mumps outbreaks
BMJ 2005; 330 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.330.7506.1509 (Published 23 June 2005) Cite this as: BMJ 2005;330:1509
- D Graham Mackenzie (gm{at}nhs.net), specialist registrar,
- Nick Hallam, consultant virologist,
- Janet Stevenson, consultant in public health medicine
- Public Health Department, NHS Fife, Cameron House, Leven, Fife KY8 5RG
- NHS Lothian-University Hospitals Division, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France, Edinburgh EH16 4SA
- Public Health Department, Lothian NHS Board, Deaconess House, Edinburgh EH8 9RS
EDITOR—Savage et al provide a useful summary of the mumps outbreaks in England and Wales during 2004.1 In their study, the population most susceptible to mumps were born between 1983 and 1986. They recommended reviewing the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination status of all school leavers.
A recent outbreak in a Scottish boarding school (October 2004) shows that younger teenagers are also at risk of mumps because of incomplete vaccination (figure). Fifty nine pupils at the school (10%) were reported as having mumps, of which 20 cases (34%) were confirmed virologically. All confirmed cases were born in 1987-91. Eleven reported cases (19%) were unvaccinated, and 34 (58%) had received only one dose of MMR. The school has a high proportion of boarders, some from countries that do not include MMR vaccine in their immunisation schedule.
Mumps outbreak curve (n=58 as date of onset not known for one case)
The findings from this school outbreak are consistent with advice in Scotland that incompletely vaccinated children and young people aged 13-25 (born between 1979 and 1991) should be considered for opportunistic MMR vaccination.2
Footnotes
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Competing interests None declared.