Emerging diseases: measles.

Abstract

High vaccination coverage rates and the administration of a second dose of measles vaccine have resulted in a significant decline in the incidence of measles and neurologic diseases due to measles in many countries. However, intermittent outbreaks of measles still occur even in countries with excellent vaccination coverage, suggesting the existence of high rates of measles virus introduction from endemic regions and/or waning of vaccine-induced immunity. Strategies to sustain high levels of global immunity to measles virus by increasing vaccine coverage with routine and supplementary vaccination campaigns must be supported.