Is measles elimination possible in WHO European region up to 2015?

The assessment ofepidemiological situation of measles in WHO European Region during last decade in terms of progress in disease elimination.

[corrected] The surveillance data regarding measles control and vaccination coverage in entire region were compared to the targets that should be achieved at the last stage of measles elimination program.

There were not sufficient vaccination coverage to protect population against measles outbreaks in many areas of WHO European Region during last decade. The incidence of measles was significantly higher than is required on that stage of measles elimination i.e. 1/1,000,000 excluding imported cases. Furthermore, there were notified 42 fatal cases related to measles during considered period.

The insufficient vaccination coverage in many countries of the region causes the sustainable virus transmission in population. That situation lies behind the high probability of measles outbreaks in nearly future, that could delay the disease elimination in the set limit of time.