Evaluation of measles immunization measures to develop policy recommendation for global commitment of measles elimination
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2024.7Keywords:
measles, vaccine, measures evaluation, policy recommendationAbstract
Thailand has initiated measles elimination project following a global commitment since 2010. In an early phase, routine immunization was implemented as a main measure which the decreasing trend of disease was reported. However, a large measles outbreak occurred during 2016-2019, with 12,667 confirmed cases, 48 deaths and 363 outbreaks. The advisory committee for polio eradication and measles elimination under the Ministry of Public Health recommended the immunization measures included raising and maintaining measles vaccine coverage and providing vaccination for high-risk population. Accordingly, the Department of Disease Control launched the assorted immunization measures to raise immunity level countrywide: conducting catch-up vaccination campaign for under-immunized children aged 1-12 years old in 2019, conducting vaccination campaign among high-risk adult population in 2020, and modifying national vaccination schedule to accelerate immunity in 2021. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunization measures for measles in Thailand during 2019-2021, using documentary research method. Findings reflected the decreasing number of measles cases since 2020, no death has been reported, and reduced number of outbreaks until no outbreak in 2021-2022. Besides, reports showed number of measles cases and attack rate declined in all health regions. The study results lead to policy recommendations regarding future measles immunization programs which includes raising and maintaining vaccine coverage among children, reducing immunity gap among high-risk population, and preparing sufficient vaccine stockpile for outbreak response. These measures will lead the country to achieve its measles elimination target.
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