Measles and measles immunization

Serious neurological complications of measles--a continuing preventable problem

Eight children who presented to two Sydney children's hospitals in 1984 with the neurological complications of measles infection are described. Six of these children have either died or have serious residual neurological abnormalities. Experience in the United States indicates that such complications of measles can be virtually eliminated by a programme of compulsory immunization of pre-school children.

Impact of rubella vaccination in Australia

Rubella vaccination of schoolgirls aged 10-14 years started 13 years ago in Australia; the girls were vaccinated without prior assessment of their immunity. Non-pregnant seronegative women were also offered vaccination in family-planning clinics and post partum in obstetric units. Serological follow-up of 191 schoolgirls 5 years after vaccination and 56 girls 8 years after vaccination showed that all had detectable rubella antibody, whereas 24% of 239 unvaccinated young men of similar age (18-23 years) were seronegative. In 1983, 96% of 8226 pregnant women aged 12-53 years (mean 25.3 years) had detectable rubella antibody, and since 1977 there has been a striking reduction in the incidence of deafness due to congenital rubella. These results indicate that the rubella vaccination programme in Australia is having a significant impact on both the serological status of pregnant women and on the incidence of congenital infection.