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Measles elimination in the Americas. Evolving strategies

C A de Quadros1, J M Olivé, B S Hersh

  • 1Special Program for Vaccines and Immunization, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC 20037, USA.

JAMA
|January 17, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Measles outbreaks persist despite routine immunization. Catch-up vaccination campaigns in the Americas successfully interrupted measles transmission, demonstrating a viable strategy for elimination.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Routine immunization aims to control measles by targeting successive birth cohorts.
  • Despite increased vaccine coverage, measles outbreaks remain a significant public health challenge globally.
  • Past strategies have not fully eradicated measles transmission in many regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of catch-up vaccination campaigns in interrupting measles transmission.
  • To assess the sustainability of measles elimination efforts following mass vaccination initiatives.
  • To analyze the impact of enhanced surveillance systems in conjunction with vaccination strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Implementation of one-time, short-duration "catch-up" vaccination campaigns targeting children aged 9 months to 14 years.
  • Integration of improved routine vaccination services and enhanced disease surveillance systems.
  • Planning of periodic follow-up mass vaccination campaigns for young children.

Main Results:

  • Measles transmission has been interrupted in several countries in the Americas, including Cuba, Chile, and English-speaking Caribbean nations.
  • Measles transmission has been successfully controlled in all remaining countries within the region.
  • The implemented strategy has shown promise in achieving and sustaining measles elimination goals.

Conclusions:

  • One-time catch-up vaccination campaigns, coupled with strengthened routine services and surveillance, are effective in interrupting measles transmission.
  • This comprehensive approach provides a sustainable model for measles elimination efforts in diverse settings.
  • Continued monitoring and periodic follow-up campaigns are crucial for maintaining measles-free status.

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