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The Australian Measles Control Campaign, 1998
F M Turnbull1, M A Burgess, P B McIntyre
1National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Insights
The 1998 Australian Measles Control Campaign successfully boosted measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage in children. This led to increased protection levels and a significant reduction in measles cases.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Immunization Programs
Background:
- Measles posed a significant public health threat, necessitating interventions to improve population immunity.
- Previous measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage in Australian children was suboptimal, leaving them vulnerable to infection and potential epidemics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the 1998 Australian Measles Control Campaign in increasing MMR vaccination coverage and preventing measles.
- To assess the impact of the campaign on seroprotection levels in targeted pediatric age groups.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a mass school-based MMR vaccination program for children aged 5-12 years.
- A concurrent catch-up vaccination program for preschool children aged 1-3.5 years.
- Serological monitoring to determine pre- and post-campaign protection levels.
Main Results:
- Over 1.33 million children aged 5-12 years received school-based MMR vaccination.
- Post-campaign seroprotection increased from 84% to 94% in school-aged children.
- Seroprotection in preschool children (aged 1-3.5 years) rose from 82% to 89%.
- A notable decrease in measles incidence was observed in targeted age groups within six months post-campaign.
Conclusions:
- The 1998 Australian Measles Control Campaign was highly effective in enhancing MMR vaccination coverage and seroprotection.
- The campaign successfully contributed to the short-term prevention of measles outbreaks in children.
- Mass vaccination strategies, including school-based programs, are crucial for controlling vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.
Abstract:
The 1998 Australian Measles Control Campaign had as its aim improved immunization coverage among children aged 1-12 years and, in the longer term, prevention of measles epidemics. The campaign included mass school-based measles-mumps-rubella vaccination of children aged 5-12 years and a catch-up programme for preschool children. More than 1.33 million children aged 5-12 years were vaccinated at school: serological monitoring showed that 94% of such children were protected after the campaign, whereas only 84% had been protected previously. Among preschool children aged 1-3.5 years the corresponding levels of protection were 89% and 82%. During the six months following the campaign there was a marked reduction in the number of measles cases among children in targeted age groups.
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