Consequences of delayed measles vaccination in Germany

BACKGROUND: In recent surveillance data there are still many cases of measles and even local epidemics in Germany. We studied whether delayed measles vaccination contributes to this situation. METHODS: Vaccine coverage data in children <3 years of age were assessed by a telephone survey. Three data sources for measles surveillance were analyzed: official measles notifications; sentinel data; and official hospital discharge diagnoses. RESULTS: After the time recommended for completion of measles vaccination at Month 15, only 22% of German children had received their first vaccine dose. This percentage increased to 77% at the age of 24 months and to 87% at 36 months of age. According to all three surveillance instruments, the number of measles cases was highest in children age 1 to 4 years with a peak in the second year of life.CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of measles cases in 1-year-old children would be prevented if presently observed vaccine coverage rates in the third year of life could be achieved 12 months earlier. Delayed measles vaccination is responsible for a large number of measles cases still occurring in the German population, where measles has not yet been eliminated. If vaccination were delivered according to the recommended time schedule, the incidence of measles would be considerably reduced.