Publication

Seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella, and varicella among asylum seekers arriving in Lower Saxony, Germany, November 2014- October 2015

Authored by:

Toikkanen SE, Baillot A, Dreesman J, et al.

Full Citation:

Toikkanen SE, Baillot A, Dreesman J, et al. 2016. Seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella, and varicella among asylum seekers arriving in Lower Saxony, Germany, November 2014- October 2015. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 13.

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Migrants and those displaced by conflict have lower vaccination rates and are especially vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Key Evidence: Antibody screening of asylum seekers arriving in Germany found that few subgroups, such as people from the same country, were sufficiently protected against measles, rubella, and varicella, and that the majority of adolescents and adults would benefit from immunizations. The serology screening results were used to target specific high-risk groups (for example, people from certain countries and age groups) for vaccination as a cost-savings measure, which proved successful in managing varicella outbreaks at refugee reception centers.