Impact of the 1996-1997 supplementary measles vaccination campaigns in South Africa

Background. In South Africa, as part of an effort to eliminate indigenous measles by 2002, vaccination campaigns were conducted in 1996-1997 targeting all children aged 9 months to 14 years; coverage was estimated at 85%. The impact of the campaigns on measles disease burden was evaluated in 1999. Methods. We analysed routine measles surveillance data and undertook a retrospective review of hospital registers in two of South Africa's nine provinces. Results. In Mpumalanga in the pre-campaign years (1992-1996), 4498 measles cases and 6 deaths were reported; 182 cases and no deaths were reported in 1997-1998. Hospital registers showed 1647 measles hospitalizations and 11 deaths in the pre-campaign period, and 60 hospitalizations and no deaths after the campaign (1997-April 1999). In Western Cape in pre-campaign years (1992-1997), 5164 measles cases and 19 deaths were reported; 132 cases and no deaths were reported in 1998. Hospital registers showed 736 measles hospitalizations and 23 deaths in the pre-campaign period, and 29 measles hospitalizations and no deaths post-campaign (1998-July 1999). Conclusions. Study findings indicate that reported measles cases, measles-related hospitalizations and deaths were considerably reduced in both provinces after the campaign compared with the pre-campaign period. Longer observation is needed to evaluate the long-term impact of the campaigns.