Prevalence of influenza A (H1N1) seropositivity in unvaccinated healthcare workers in Scotland at the height of the global pandemic

Smith, K., Warner, P., Williams, L.J., Adamson, W.E., Katikireddi, S., Dewart, P., Carman, W.F., Templeton, K., Denison, F.C. and Mackenzie, D.G. (2011) Prevalence of influenza A (H1N1) seropositivity in unvaccinated healthcare workers in Scotland at the height of the global pandemic. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2011(407505), pp. 1-5. (doi: 10.1155/2011/407505)

Abstract

Background. We set out to identify the level of previous exposure to influenza A (H1N1) in unvaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs) at the peak of the pandemic outbreak in the UK, with control samples collected prior to the outbreak. Methods. Cross-sectional study (seroprevalence assessed before and at pandemic peak, with questionnaire data collected at peak of outbreak) in HCWs in Scotland.Results. The prevalence of seropositivity in 493 HCWs at pandemic peak was 10.3%, which was higher than the prepandemic level by 3.7 percentage points (95% CI 0.3% to 7.3%, P = 0.048). Seropositivity rates for frontline and nonfrontline HCWs were similar. Conclusion. At pandemic peak, only 10.3% of HCWs were seropositive for influenza A (H1N1), so the great majority were still susceptible to infection at the introduction of the vaccination programme. Few studies have reported on seroprevalence in unvaccinated and asymptomatic participants, so our findings may have relevance to the wider population.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Katikireddi, Professor Vittal and Carman, Professor William and Adamson, Dr Walt
• Authors: Smith, K., Warner, P., Williams, L.J., Adamson, W.E., Katikireddi, S., Dewart, P., Carman, W.F., Templeton, K., Denison, F.C., and Mackenzie, D.G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Environmental and Public Health
• ISSN: 1687-9805
• ISSN (Online): 1687-9813