From the Research
To determine immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella, I strongly recommend checking MMR IgG titers, which should be above the assay cut-off level set by the ELISA kit, as evidenced by a study on the efficacy of the MMR vaccine 1. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) IgG titers are blood tests that measure immunity to these diseases.
- These tests measure the level of antibodies in your blood to determine if you have adequate protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Positive titers indicate immunity, while negative or equivocal results suggest you may need vaccination.
- MMR titers are particularly important for healthcare workers, pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, international travelers, and during disease outbreaks.
- If your titers show insufficient immunity, your provider will likely recommend the MMR vaccine, which is given as a series of two doses separated by at least 28 days, as a second dose was necessary to raise the level of protection against measles and rubella 1.
- These antibody levels reflect your immune system's memory from either previous vaccination or natural infection, providing valuable information about your protection against these potentially serious diseases.
- A study on the detection of serum antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella after primary MMR vaccination in children found that IgG and IgM antibody levels were below the assay cut-off levels against measles and rubella in approximately one-fourth of the children following primary MMR vaccination 1.