ANTI-MEASLES VACCINATION BY AEROSOL IN ME XICO

The present work describes the anti-measles vaccination program by the inhaled aerosol method undertaken in Mexico between 1988 and 1990. De tailed descriptions are given of the equipment, staff, training progra ms, promotion and campaigns. The vaccine is specified: Edmonston-Zagre b strain cultured in diploid cells at the Institute Nacional de Virolo gia of the Secretaria de Salud in Mexico with titres varying from 1045 plaque forming units (PFU/ml) to 1 048 PFU/ml administered in a 30 se c inhalation with aerosol. During this exposure period, 2 800 to 4 000 PFU per child are estimated to enter the child, of which approximatel y 25% is the retained dosis, i.e. 700 to 1 000 PFU/child. A total of 3 760 684 children of school and pre-school age have been vaccinated in 13 of the 32 federal entities of the country. No undesirable effects of any importance were observed, and the limited serological and field studies support the effectiveness and security of this method. On the other hand, the method is much cheaper, faster and better accepted by the population than the subcutaneous injection.