Control of measles by annual pulse immunization
T. J. John, M. Ray and M. C. Steinhoff
In a village with a population of more than 2,000, with measles outbreaks
in alternate years, annual single-day measles immunization campaigns were
conducted during four winter seasons. Measles vaccine was offered to
children 1 year of age and older, with no previous measles or immunization.
There has been no outbreak of measles since the introduction of
immunization to date. Four cases of introduced measles did not result in
any secondary case. This vaccine delivery strategy (annual pulse
immunization), designed to improve coverage and simplify cold chain
management, was shown to be suitable for the control of measles in rural
communities in the Third World.