Parveen Tariq.
Assessment of coverage levels of single dose Measles vaccine.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;13(9):507-10.

Objective: To study the consequences of low coverage levels of a single dose of measles vaccine. Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Rawalpindi General Hospital (RGH) from January 2001 to August 2001. Patients and Methods: Information about 68 admitted cases of measles was collected on a structured proforma with reference to epidemiological profile, vaccination history and comorbidities. Results: Mean age observed in measles cases was 2 years and 8 months with a range from 3 months to 8 years. Maximum number of cases reported were <1 year of age (n=22,32%). Fifty percent of cases were seen among vaccinated children. Seventy-five percent (n=51) had history of contact with a measles case. Pneumonia was the commonest complication followed by acute gastroenteritis, encephalitis, febrile convulsions, oral ulcers, oral thrush, eye changes of vitamin-A deficiency and pulmonary tuberculosis (T.B.) in descending order of frequency. Fifty-four cases were successfully treated for complications of measles and discharged. Nine cases left against medical advice. Five patients died – all of them had encephalitis either alone (n=1) or in combination with pneumonia and acute gastroenteritis (n=4). Conclusion: There is a dire need to increase the immunization coverage to reduce the rate of vaccine failure and achieve effective control of measles.

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