Estimating Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination Coverage in the Adult Population

BACKGROUND:  Measles is one of the most contagious vaccine preventable diseases and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks in the United States.  Measles can be prevented with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In the United States, widespread use of measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the pre-vaccine era.  Measles can lead to serious complications and death, with complications more common in adults.  Adults born in 1957 or afterward are recommended to receive one dose of MMR vaccine.  Although MMR vaccination coverage is routinely assessed in children, the number of adults that are susceptible to measles is largely unknown.  The objective of the study was to assess adult MMR vaccination coverage in Texas

METHODS:   MMR vaccination coverage was assessed using the 2013 Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a telephone survey administered to obtain state and local level estimates of health indicators.  All adults sampled for Texas were asked “A vaccine to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella is available and is called MMR.  Have you EVER received the MMR vaccine?”.  Weighted vaccination coverage levels were calculated by race/ethnicity, insurance status, education levels and geographic area for adults who are recommended to be vaccinated with MMR vaccine.

RESULTS:   Over half of the adults in Texas who were born on or after 1957 recall receiving a dose of MMR vaccine (53.9%).  Higher MMR vaccination coverage was observed in adults who graduated college, adults with a higher household income, those with health insurance, and white adults.  Geographically, MMR vaccination coverage is lower for adults who live along the Texas-Mexico border and those that live in rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS:   The results indicate racial and socioeconomic disparities in adult MMR vaccination coverage.  Access to MMR vaccine could be improved to increase uptake in rural areas and among persons without health insurance. The continued assessment of adult MMR vaccination coverage is important to identify undervaccinated populations and monitor program effectiveness.