Has the United States population been adequately vaccinated to achieve rubella elimination?
Mathematical models indicate that elimination of rubella virus transmission requires maintenance of approximately 90% rubella immunity among children. To evaluate whether rubella vaccination coverage among US preschool and school-age children is at levels consistent with rubella elimination, we reviewed data from 3 sources: (1) the Biologics Surveillance, which documents the net number of vaccine doses sold (1970-2004); (2) state immunization surveys of school entrants 5-6 years of age (1980-2005); and (3) the National Immunization Survey of children 19-35 months of age (1995-2004). Vaccine biologics data show that the net number of rubella vaccine doses sold was at least equivalent to the number of children born each year during 1970-2004. The average coverage for school-entrant surveys among reporting states was >95% for 1980-2004. National coverage among children 19-35 months of age was > or =90% overall for each year during 1995-2004. Three independent surveys suggest that childhood coverage with rubella-containing vaccine has been at sufficiently high levels to achieve elimination of rubella virus transmission.
Bloom
Sharon
S
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global AIDS Program, CDC-Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Namibia. blooms@nacop.net
Smith
Phil
P
Stanwyck
Carol
C
Stokley
Shannon
S
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007223:Infant; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000639:trends*
D012411:Rubella Vaccine