[Measles epidemiology in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 1996-2000]

This ecological study, based on an analysis of secondary data from epidemiological surveillance and using the municipality (county) as the unit of analysis, showed that measles vaccine coverage was lower than necessary for eradication (95%) and control (90%) in many municipalities in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, both before and during the last epidemic in 1997, particularly regarding the second dose of the vaccine, applied as a component of the MMR vaccine, scheduled at 15 months of age. Low vaccine coverage was associated with higher measles incidence. However, during the 1997 epidemic small-scale measles outbreaks were recorded even in municipalities with first-dose coverage of 95% or higher, particularly among those which also had low second-dose coverage for MMR. Approximately 80% of all measles cases during 1996-2000 occurred among schoolchildren and young adults. Measles virus circulation in the municipality in the previous year and population density increased the risk of measles. Two imported cases of measles in Santa Catarina in 2004 illustrate that it would be premature to describe the current situation as one of eradication.