Abstract

CHUANG, Shuk Kwan et al. Mass measles immunization campaign: experience in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. Bull World Health Organ [online]. 2002, vol.80, n.7, pp. 585-591. ISSN 0042-9686.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0042-96862002000700012.

After the 1988 measles outbreak, annual notification rates for measles in Hong Kong SAR between 1989 and 1999 were 0.4-4.9 per 100 000, with peaks in 1992, 1994 and 1997. The first half-year incidence rates per 100 000 were 2.3 in 1997, 0.5 in 1995 and 1.2 in 1996. Monthly notification rates increased from a baseline of <10 cases to 59 in May 1997. Serological surveillance showed only 85.5% of children aged 1-19 years had measles antibodies. An epidemic, mainly because of failure of the first dose to produce immunity, seemed imminent in mid-1997. A mass immunization campaign targeted children aged 1-19 from July to November 1997. The overall coverage was 77%. The rate of adverse events was low. After the campaign, measles notification fell to 0.9 per 100 000 in 1998. A two-dose strategy and supplementary campaigns will maintain measles susceptibility at levels low enough to make measles elimination our goal.

Keywords : Measles [épidemiology]; Measles [prevention and control]; Immunization programs; Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine [administration and dosage]; Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine [adverse effects]; Disease outbreaks [prevention and control]; Child, Preschool; Child; Adolescence; Seroepidemiologic studies; Hong Kong.