Efficacy of measles and rubella vaccination one year after the nationwide campaign in Shiraz, Iran

SummaryBackgroundThe World Health Organization target for measles elimination in the Eastern Mediterranean Region was established in 2010. In Iran, the national measles–rubella campaign, targeting individuals aged 5–25 years, was initiated in December 2003.MethodsTo evaluate the impact of the campaign after one year, 909 serum samples were collected in Shiraz, southern Iran, from a population aged 6–26 years, divided into five groups according to age. IgG antibodies were tested using ELISA for the measles and rubella antibodies, and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT; measles) was used for samples with equivocal results.ResultsMeasles protective immunity reached 80.6%, 72.7%, 84.9%, and 87.5% and rubella immunity reached 91.0%, 99.6%, 99.6%, and 97.0% for the age groups 6–10, 11–15, 16–20, and 20–26 years, respectively. Seropositivity to the rubella virus in this population was high, especially in women of childbearing age (98.9%), thereby preventing congenital rubella infections. However for measles, it was significantly lower than the rate required to achieve ≥95% coverage for elimination.ConclusionsThese data indicate that an increase in immunization coverage by supplementary administration of a second dose of measles vaccine is needed to interrupt the endemic transmission of the measles virus.