Measles immunization in Iran.

Mass immunization with live measles vaccine has been carried out in rural Iran since 1968. Two strains have been used: primary baby calf kidney cell-adapted Sugiyama strain and human diploid cell-adapted AIK strain. More than 94% of the susceptible children experimentally vaccinated with either of the two vaccines have shown seroconversion. Mass immunization in rural regions has covered about 80% of susceptible children. It is now recommended that the live vaccine be administered twice: the first dose at six to nine months and the second at 12-15 months of age. In all of 100 cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) observed in the Tehran region between 1977 and 1982, the patient had a history of measles infection in childhood; there was no indication that SSPE developed after vaccination. Most of the patients with SSPE have had a high titer of antibody to measles virus in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and antibody has commonly been demonstrated in saliva as well.