Susceptibility of rubella among adolescents and adults in Hawaii

The presence of rubella hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody was determined for 590 adolescent and adult residents of Hawaii. The percentage of persons without detectable HI antibody at a 1:10 serum dilution (rubella susceptibles) varied on four different islands from 25% to 50%. Rubella susceptibility rates were significantly higher in Japanese than in white residents. In 175 students of the University of Hawaii with known residence histories, 81 had never left Hawaii; 61 (75%) of these were rubella susceptible. Only 19 of 64 students entering Hawaii as adolescents or adults were without HI antibody. Males had significantly lower susceptibility rates than females, 30% and 45% respectively. These data indicate that induction of artificial immunity in the Hawaiian population should be a priority public health goal.