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Jamaica's measles elimination experience
J M Hirshon1, B Irons, P Figueroa
1Division of Vaccines and Immunization, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Objectives:
This article describes the effort to eliminate measles from Jamaica and its impact on measles incidence.
Methods:
In addition to routine measles vaccination, the Jamaican Ministry of Health implemented a strategy of a 1-time-only catch-up vaccination campaign, conducted in 1991, and periodic follow-up campaigns, the first of which occurred in 1995.
Results:
Since 1991, despite careful surveillance, no serologically confirmed indigenous cases of measles have occurred in Jamaica.
Conclusions:
Measles virus circulation has been interrupted in Jamaica. The Jamaican experience provides further evidence that global measles eradication is achievable.