Measles-rubella mass immunization campaign in Albania, November 2000.
In 2000, Albania resolved to eliminate measles by 2007 by use of a four-step program: by conducting a "catch-up" vaccination campaign for all children aged 1-14 years, achieving and sustaining high coverage (>/=95%) among children aged 1 year with the first dose of a measles-containing vaccine, by introducing a routine second dose of measles-containing vaccine for children at age 5 years, and by improving measles surveillance. This catch-up campaign took place in November 2000: 867,000 doses of measles-rubella vaccine were administered for an estimated coverage of 99%. In all, 231 campaign-related adverse events were reported: syncope, 206; allergic reactions, 10; fever, 8; encephalitis/encephalopathy, 2; and aseptic meningitis, seizures, Guillain-Barré syndrome, anaphylaxis, and arthralgia, 1 each. All resolved without sequelae. This report describes the status of measles and rubella/congenital rubella syndrome control in Albania before 2000 and reports on implementation of the catch-up campaign.
Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania.
Silvia
S
Bino
Eduard
E
Kakarriqi
Miriam
M
Xibinaku
Nicolae
N
Ion-Nedelcu
Mariana
M
Bukli
Nedret
N
Emiroglu
Amra
A
Uzicanin
D000293:Adolescent; D000415:Albania; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012409:Rubella / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012410:Rubella Syndrome, Congenital / Q000517:prevention & control; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage
D008458:Measles Vaccine; D012411:Rubella Vaccine; D017778:Vaccines, Combined