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Progress toward measles and rubella elimination in Egypt.

Authors :
El Sayed N
Kandeel N
Barakat I
Moussa I
Alexander JP Jr
Naouri B
Reef SE
Source :
The Journal of infectious diseases [J Infect Dis] 2011 Jul; Vol. 204 Suppl 1, pp. S318-24.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Measles and rubella were common infectious diseases in Egypt during the prevaccine era. Monovalent measles vaccine was introduced in 1977, and measles vaccination coverage increased from <50% to >90% from 1980 to 1999; however, measles outbreaks continued to occur at 2- to 4-year intervals during this period. After the introduction of a second routine dose of measles vaccine as a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1999 and the implementation of measles immunization campaigns targeting 6- to 16-year-old children during 2000-2003, reported measles cases dramatically decreased by 2003. In 2002, Egypt established a goal to eliminate measles and rubella and to prevent congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2010. Large-scale rubella and measles outbreaks in 2005-2007, however, led to a revision of the plan of action to achieve the 2010 goals. A nation-wide measles-rubella immunization campaign, targeting children, adolescents, and young adults 2-20 years old, was conducted in 2 phases during 2008-2009 and achieved coverage >95%. With the decrease to record low levels of cases of measles and rubella in 2009 and 2010, Egypt should achieve measles and rubella elimination in the near future, but high coverage(>95%) with 2 doses of measles-rubella vaccine needs to be maintained, measles-rubella surveillance strengthened, and CRS surveillance developed.<br /> (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2011.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1537-6613
Volume :
204 Suppl 1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Journal of infectious diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
21666180
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jir123