Effect of mass measles vaccination on numbers of measles cases: a hospital experience.

Abstract

Background
Low measles vaccine coverage has been a characteristic of child health indices in Uganda. Country-wide mass measles vaccination involving children 6 months to 15 years old was undertaken in October 2003 and repeated in October 2006.

Objective
To describe the effect of mass measles vaccination on number of measles cases admitted to Mulago hospital, Kampala, Uganda.

Methods
This was a study involving review of documents including ward admission books, patients’ case notes, discharge summaries, measles surveillance records, and laboratory reports. Measles cases admitted during the study period were identified using the clinical case definition of measles. The number of measles cases admitted before and after the Measles mass was documented.

Results
Before mass measles campaigns, the mean number of measles cases admitted to Mulago hospital was 120 per month. 73% of the cases were between 9 and 60 months of age. The number of measles cases started falling two weeks after the campaigns. Four months after each of the mass campaign, there was not a single case of measles case admitted in Mulago hospital for a period of two years.

Conclusion
Mass measles appeared to significantly reduce the number of measles case admitted to Mulago referral hospital. The results need confirmation with prospective studies.