Impact of the 1996-1997 supplementary measles vaccination campaigns in South Africa.
BACKGROUND
In South Africa, as part of an effort to eliminate indigenous measles by 2002, vaccination campaigns were conducted in 1996-1997 targeting all children aged 9 months to 14 years; coverage was estimated at 85%. The impact of the campaigns on measles disease burden was evaluated in 1999.


METHODS
We analysed routine measles surveillance data and undertook a retrospective review of hospital registers in two of South Africa's nine provinces.


RESULTS
In Mpumalanga in the pre-campaign years (1992-1996), 4,498 measles cases and 6 deaths were reported; 182 cases and no deaths were reported in 1997-1998. Hospital registers showed 1,647 measles hospitalizations and 11 deaths in the pre-campaign period, and 60 hospitalizations and no deaths after the campaign (1997-April 1999). In Western Cape in pre-campaign years (1992-1997), 5,164 measles cases and 19 deaths were reported; 132 cases and no deaths were reported in 1998. Hospital registers showed 736 measles hospitalizations and 23 deaths in the pre-campaign period, and 29 measles hospitalizations and no deaths post-campaign (1998-July 1999).


CONCLUSIONS
Study findings indicate that reported measles cases, measles-related hospitalizations and deaths were considerably reduced in both provinces after the campaign compared with the pre-campaign period. Longer observation is needed to evaluate the long-term impact of the campaigns.
Uzicanin
Amra
A
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA. auzicanin@cdc.gov
Eggers
Rudi
R
Webb
Elize
E
Harris
Bernice
B
Durrheim
Dave
D
Ogunbanjo
Gboyega
G
Isaacs
Veronica
V
Hawkridge
Anthony
A
Biellik
Robin
R
Strebel
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D008458:Measles Vaccine