Mumps and rubella eliminated from Finland

H Peltola1, I Davidkin, M Paunio

  • 1Hospital for Children and Adolescents, PO Box 281, FIN-00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. heikki.peltola@hus.fi

JAMA
|November 22, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Finland

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Finland implemented a national 2-dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination program in 1982.
  • Mandatory serological confirmation of suspected mumps and rubella cases was established in 1987.
  • No vaccine-related deaths or sequelae have been reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of a 2-dose MMR vaccination program on mumps and rubella elimination in Finland.
  • To assess the long-term effectiveness of the vaccination strategy in preventing indigenous disease and outbreaks.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of national vaccination coverage data from 1982 to 1999.
  • Surveillance of mumps and rubella cases, including imported and indigenous infections.
  • Monitoring for vaccine-related adverse events.

Main Results:

  • Indigenous mumps and rubella were eliminated by 1996.
  • High community immunity prevented secondary spread from imported cases (1997-1999).
  • Annual prevention of thousands of mumps complications and congenital rubella syndrome cases.

Conclusions:

  • A 2-dose MMR vaccination policy effectively eliminated indigenous mumps and rubella in Finland.
  • Sustained high vaccination coverage is crucial for preventing future outbreaks.
  • Finland serves as a model for successful vaccine-preventable disease eradication.

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