Investigation into the Administration of Prophylactic Immunoglobulins Following Exposure to a Measles Case, France, 2010–2011

In France, nearly 23,000 cases of measles and 10 deaths were reported between January 2008 and August 2012. Authorities recommend the administration of polyvalent human immunoglobulin following exposure to a case of measles for certain categories of unvaccinated individuals and under specific conditions. We conducted a mail survey of 368 hospital pharmacies in mainland France between January 1, 2010, and August 31, 2011, to estimate the number of people affected by this measure and to assess compliance with the recommendations (post-exposure timeframe, confirmation of contact). The response rate was 73%. A total of 400 patients who received immunoglobulin were identified, most of whom were children under 1 year of age. Among the 250 patients for whom information was available, 84% received immunoglobulin within 6 days of exposure, as recommended. However, only 48% of the 209 reported contacts were confirmed cases at the time of immunoglobulin administration. This survey is the first evaluation of these measures since their introduction in 2005. (R.A)

Author(s): Bernier A, Le Goaster C, Peigue Lafeuille H, Floret D

Publishing year: 2013

Pages: 52-5

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2013, n° 6, p. 52-5

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