Is a Third Dose of MMRV Vaccine Beneficial for the Adult Population in Alberta?

The current recommendation for a full course of measles-mumps-rubella-(varicella) vaccine (MMR(V)) is two doses. The problem is, many individuals within the vaccinated cohort show antibody levels that are below the level considered to be protective, even after two doses of vaccine. Because of these waning antibody levels, it is currently unknown whether highly vaccinated populations are protected from infection against measles, mumps, rubella, or varicella should they be exposed to any of these viruses. The uncertainty of a woman's immune status is partly due to the type of testing that is used to indicate protection. While immunity to viral infection requires both a humoral and a cell mediated immune (CMI) response, only humoral (antibody) responses are measured routinely in the laboratory. This study will examine CMI responses and the role of a third dose of vaccine for previously vaccinated women whose antibody levels are below the cut off. This study will not administer vaccine, but rather will include women who have received a third dose of vaccination through routine health care follow up in the study cohort.