Abstract:
Objective The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the measles control project and provide guidancefor similar projects in future. Methods A statistical analysis was made on the data of the incidence of measles, outbreaksof measles epidemic, age distribution of measles patients and revaccination for children with expired immunization recordswhen admitted to primary schools or kindergartens in Liping county between 2000 and 2007. Results Since the measles controlprojects, particularly the supplementary measles vaccination project in Nov 2004, were launched, Liping County had seendramatic decrease in the number of measles patients and in the incidence rate. The incidence rate dropped from 26.68/lakh in2002 and 3.52/lakh in 2003 to 0.20/lakh in 2007. No measles epidemic occurred since 2005. The first measles vaccineinoculation rates from 2003 to 2007, all reached 98%. The second measles vaccine inoculation rates were ascending from 58.61%in 2000 and 80.56% in 2001 to 95.29% in 2005, 99.00% in 2006 and 98.89% in 2007. Conclusion A supplementary measlesvaccination can effectively reduce the incidence of measles. Revaccination for children with expired immunization records at their admission to primary schools or kindergartens is critical for the expanded rogram on immunization, and therefore itshould be guaranteed. Supplementary measles vaccination should be provided for children between 8 months and 4 years of age every four years to consolidate the immunization effects and to maintain a low incidence rate of measles.