International Journal of Epidemiology 2002;31:968-976
© International Epidemiological Association 2002
Special Theme: Infectious Diseases |
Impact of the 1996–1997 supplementary measles vaccination campaigns in South Africa
a Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office,
b National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA.
c Formerly, Expanded Programme on Immunisation, Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa.
d Current affiliation: World Health Organization Office for East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
e Communicable Disease Control, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Nelspruit, South Africa.
f Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Pretoria, South Africa.
g Communicable Disease Control, Western Cape Department of Health, Cape Town, South Africa.
h World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Dr Amra Uzicanin, National Immunization Program, Mailstop E-05, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. E-mail: auzicanin{at}cdc.gov
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), 4498 measles cases and 6 deaths were reported; 182 cases and no deaths were reported in 1997–1998. Hospital registers showed 1647 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), 5164 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.
Keywords Measles, vaccination, South Africa
Accepted 13 June 2002
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