Abstract

LIMIA SANCHEZ, Aurora  and  MOLINA OLIVAS, Marta. Immunization Programme and Coverage against Measles and Rubella in Spain: challenges for Achieving their Elimination. Rev. Esp. Salud Publica [online]. 2015, vol.89, n.4, pp.357-364. ISSN 2173-9110.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1135-57272015000400004.

The World Health Organization had established the achievement and sustainability of very high coverage with two doses of vaccine against measles and at least one against rubella as one of the key strategies for the elimination of both measles and rubella. The current immunization programme in Spain includes the immunization with two doses of combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella at 12 months and 3-4 years of age. Since 2000 coverage with first dose is over the target of 95% but the coverage with the second dose remains between 90 and 95%. In 2014, at subnational level three regions had coverage below the objective and only eight regions achieved the objective for the second dose. The challenges and some activities to strengthen the immunization programme in order to achieve the elimination of measles and rubella are discussed.

Keywords : Outbreaks; Information system; Measles; Rubella; Vaccines; Vaccination; Mass vaccination; Measles vaccine.

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