[Are medical students sufficiently vaccinated? Results of a serological survey and of vaccine coverage]

Soz Praventivmed. 1994;39(2):86-92. doi: 10.1007/BF01360101.
[Article in French]

Abstract

A total of 143 medical students participated in a serological and immunization coverage survey in Geneva. Between 29 and 54% had not received the 6 injections recommended in Switzerland against tetanus, diphtheria and poliomyelitis. The vaccination rates remain low against measles (57%), rubella (46%) and mumps (11%). Satisfactory levels of antibodies against measles were detected in all students. Between 4 and 6% did not have antibodies against mumps, varicella and rubella. Only 5.4% of Swiss medical students had antibodies against hepatitis A. HBc antibodies were present in 4% of the students. Medical students are at risk of contracting and transmitting vaccine preventable diseases. Swiss medical schools should play a leading role in the development of screening programs encouraging immunization of students entering university.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Diphtheria / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Mumps / prevention & control
  • Poliomyelitis / prevention & control
  • Rubella / prevention & control
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies*
  • Students, Medical*
  • Switzerland
  • Tetanus / prevention & control
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Hepatitis Antibodies