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.