CHANGING EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MEASLES IN TURKEY - NEED FOR REASSESSMENT OFMEASLES VACCINATION POLICY

Changing epidemiology of measles in Turkey and in Izmir city, since th e introduction of measles vaccine was examined in order to evaluate th e need for new strategies to control measles infection. After the Nati onal Vaccination Campaign in 1985, the rates of incidence and mortalit y dropped to 4.2/100 000 and 0/million, respectively, in 1987. When th e epidemics in 1989 and 1993 were examined it was seen that more measl es cases occurred in age groups 5-9 and >15 years, and most of the cas es seen in children in primary and secondary schools were in those pre viously immunized against measles, Future strategies for control of me asles should aim at increasing the coverage rate and introducing a two -dose regimen to reduce vaccine failure.