Vaccine-Preventable Diseases on College Campuses: The Emergence of Mumps

Abstract

Because of the adverse health impact of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly measles and rubella, on college campuses, the American College Health Association (ACHA) Committee on Immunization and the House of Delegates issued position statements in 1983 and 1984 stating that colleges and universities should institute prematriculation immunity requirements. Since then, many colleges have implemented requirements and some states have passed comprehensive college laws requiring proof of immunity at the time of matriculation. No college rubella outbreaks have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) since 1985. Measles outbreaks, however, have continued to be reported. In 1986–1987, 315 college measles cases were reported from 15 states, comprising over 3% of the total cases reported to CDC. Thirty-six percent of college measles cases could have been prevented through full implementation of prematriculation immunity requirements. Outbreaks of mumps were reported among students attending 16 colleges and universities in 3 states where active surveillance was undertaken during the 1986–1987 academic year. These mumps outbreaks, the first reported in colleges since vaccine licensure in 1967, were responsible for considerable health impact and disruption of activities. The outbreaks paralleled the increase in mumps reported nationally, which was largely a result of illness among unvaccinated adolescents and young adults not previously exposed to mumps. A lack of routine mumps vaccination in the past has allowed accumulation of susceptible unvaccinated persons in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Outbreaks are likely to occur in those colleges that draw students who attended primary and secondary school in states without comprehensive laws requiring mumps vaccination. The ACHA continues to recommend prematriculation documentation of immunity to mumps and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Colleges and universities should continue to implement and enforce these policies.