[Measles in Norway. Epidemiology before and after the introduction of routine vaccination]

Twenty years after routine vaccination against measles was introduced in Norway its incidence has been reduced by over 97%. Measles encephalitis has not been reported in Norway since 1982 and the last registered death from the disease was in 1985. There is evidence of a certain increase in the age of measles patients since the introduction of vaccination but this has not led to any increase in the death-to-case ratio. The vaccines (measles vaccine from 1969 and MMR from 1983) have proved safe in use, with few reported probable or possible reactions. The vaccination programme has resulted in a large reduction in measles morbidity but if the goal of eradicating endemic measles in Norway by 1990 is to be achieved, then coverage must be further improved.