The influence of prophylactic vaccination on epidemic situation of infectious diseases illustrated by the epidemiology of measles in Poland in the years 1968-1998.

There were gathered demographic data collected by the Main Statistical Office (GUS) concerning Polish society. There were analysed the incidence, morbidity and mortality rates as well as the number of cases and number of deaths from measles in Poland in the years 1968-1998. It was stated that the introduction of prophylactic vaccinations against infectious diseases totally changed the epidemiologic situation. It was also stated that measles is a good example of the influence of prophylactic vaccinations on the course of disease. The measles vaccinations caused the elimination of periodicity of the disease, increase in the interepidemic periods, decrease in incidence rates and nearly eliminated morbidity from this disease. There is a chance of eradication of measles in Poland provided that mandatory vaccination periods are strictly kept and 99% of children at the age of two years are vaccinated.