[The strategy for vaccinal prophylaxis and the elimination of measles in the developed countries]

The data on the instability of the epidemiological situation in measles in many European countries are presented, the causes of this instability and the development of major outbreaks of measles in some countries are explained. The data on the high epidemiological effectiveness of mass revaccination of high school and college students are given: this revaccination has made it possible to reduce the number of susceptible persons, formerly vaccinated with a single injection, 8-10 times. The author believes that the mass revaccination of high school and college students may be most effective if made not later than 15-20 years after vaccination with a single injection. The main principles of the strategy of vaccination and revaccination are formulated. The analysis of the strategy of vaccinal prophylaxis and the dynamics of morbidity shows the impossibility of decreasing the morbidity rate in most European countries below 1 per 100,000, as determined by the WHO Regional Committee. The simultaneous mass revaccination of high school and college students, formerly vaccinated with a single injection, may be the most effective measure for achieving this aim.