Vaccine efficacy in a measles immunisation programme

Commun Dis Rep CDR Rev. 1992 Apr 24;2(5):R59-60.

Abstract

During a measles outbreak in Northern Ireland (between October 1988 and March 1989) it was noted that a proportion of cases had occurred in children who had previously been vaccinated against measles. A study was, therefore, set up to provide a rapid estimate of vaccine efficacy. Vaccine efficacy was calculated to be 94% (95% confidence limits, 91% to 96%). Investigation of the computerised records at 31 December 1991 revealed that 94% of children in the study cohort had received measles vaccine. As vaccination coverage increases, a higher proportion of cases of measles will, inevitably, have a history of vaccination.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • Measles / epidemiology
  • Measles / prevention & control*
  • Northern Ireland / epidemiology
  • Vaccination* / statistics & numerical data