title: Impact of the 1996-1997 supplementary measles vaccination campaigns in South Africa.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA. auzicanin@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Amra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uzicanin
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eggers
authors.forename: Elize
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Bernice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Durrheim
authors.forename: Gboyega
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ogunbanjo
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Isaacs
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hawkridge
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biellik
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strebel
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D008458:Measles Vaccine