Acceptable Presumptive Evidence of Immunity

Footnote

*Though there are no data that correlate levels of serum antibody with protection from disease, presence of mumps specific IgG antibodies can be considered evidence of mumps immunity. Routine serologic testing is not recommended for healthcare personnel but may be useful for evaluating personnel who have had unprotected exposure to mumps who do not have other proof of immunity. If serology is to be used to assess the immune status of healthcare personnel after an unprotected exposure, the test should be done as soon after the exposure as possible.

Results of serum antibody tests in vaccinated persons are difficult to interpret. In vaccinated persons, antibody levels are often lower than following natural infection, and commercially available tests may not detect such low levels of antibody. As a result, post-vaccination serologic testing to verify an immune response to MMR or its component vaccines is not recommended. There are no data on the effect of additional (greater than two) doses of mumps vaccine on antibody levels or protection from disease.