Assessment of coverage levels of single dose measles vaccine.

OBJECTIVE

To study the consequences of low coverage levels of a single dose of measles vaccine.

DESIGN

Case series.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

The study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Rawalpindi General Hospital (RGH) from January 2001 to August 2001.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Information about 68 admitted cases of measles was collected on a structured proforma with reference to epidemiological profile, vaccination history and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Mean age observed in measles cases was 2 years and 8 months with a range from 3 months to 8 years. Maximum number of cases reported were <1 year of age (n=22, 32%). Fifty percent of cases were seen among vaccinated children. Seventy-five percent (n=51) had history of contact with a measles case. Pneumonia was the commonest complication followed by acute gastroenteritis, encephalitis, febrile convulsions, oral ulcers, oral thrush, eye changes of vitamin-A deficiency and pulmonary tuberculosis (T.B.) in descending order of frequency. Fifty-four cases were successfully treated for complications of measles and discharged. Nine cases left against medical advice. Five patients died--all of them had encephalitis either alone (n=1) or in combination with pneumonia and acute gastroenteritis (n=4).

CONCLUSION

There is a dire need to increase the immunization coverage to reduce the rate of vaccine failure and achieve effective control of measles.