title: Mass measles immunization campaign: experience in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
abstract: After the 1988 measles outbreak, annual notification rates for measles in Hong Kong SAR between 1989 and 1999 were 0.4-4.9 per 100 000, with peaks in 1992, 1994 and 1997. The first half-year incidence rates per 100 000 were 2.3 in 1997, 0.5 in 1995 and 1.2 in 1996. Monthly notification rates increased from a baseline of <10 cases to 59 in May 1997. Serological surveillance showed only 85.5% of children aged 1-19 years had measles antibodies. An epidemic, mainly because of failure of the first dose to produce immunity, seemed imminent in mid-1997. A mass immunization campaign targeted children aged 1-19 from July to November 1997. The overall coverage was 77%. The rate of adverse events was low. After the campaign, measles notification fell to 0.9 per 100 000 in 1998. A two-dose strategy and supplementary campaigns will maintain measles susceptibility at levels low enough to make measles elimination our goal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health 1/F, Hospital Authority Headquarters Building, Kowloon Regional Office, 147B Argyle Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. shkwchuang@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Shuk Kwan
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Yu Lung
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Wei Ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Chun Bong
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: Lai Yin
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Tse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D018563:Disease Notification; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006292:Health Priorities; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012621:Seasons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D008458:Measles Vaccine