ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: As a result of the development and the supply of vaccination, the epochal progress in vaccination against measles has been made. Nevertheless measles intermittent prevalence throughout the world was reported and measles prevailed throughout country in 1993 & 1994. So, we studied the epidemics of measles which prevailed in the Kyungi-Incheon districts and then evaluated the effects of the present vaccination indirectly and estimated the necessity of booster vaccination in addition to initial and second vaccination. METHODS: This study was based on the questionnaires to 233 patient who were diagnosed as measles in Holy Family Hospital and Our Lady Of Mercy Hospital from July, 1993 to June, 1994. RESULTS: 1) The incidence peaked in Jan(24.0%) and April(23.2%). 2) In sex distribution, we could not find any difference between boys(116 case) and girls(117 case). 3) The age distribution showed that the children between 0 and 12 month of age were 81 cases(34.8%), the children between 13 and 24 month of age 28 cases(12.0%), 8 year old children 21 cases(9.0%), 6 year old children 18 cases(7.7%), 7 year old children 16 cases(6.9%) and 9 year old children 14 cases(6.0%). 4) 6 month age group with one-dose schedule of vaccination was 2 cases. 9 month age group with one-dose schedule of vaccination was 14 cases and their outbreak age was 4.1+/-3.3 years old. 12 month age group with one-dose schedule of vaccination was 1 case. 15 month age group with one-dose schedule of vaccination was 48 cases and their outbreak age was 7.8+/-2.9 years old. Age group with two-dose schedule of vaccination was 51 cases and their outbreak age was 7.3+/-2.9 years old. Therefore, trimed mean age of 15 month age group with one-dose schedule was 7.8+/-2.0 years old and their 99% confidence interval was 7.0~9.2 years old. Trimed mean age of two-dose schedule age group was 8.3+/-2.0 years old and their 99% confidence interval was 7.6~9.2 years old. 5) Among the siblings(n=236) of subjects 224 cases were vaccinated and among vaccinated children 18 cases infected(8.0%). 6) There were no reinfected subjects. CONCLUSIONS: 15 months age group with one-dose schedule and two-dose schedule group showed similar outbreak age. In the case that measles prevails, the proper time for vaccination seems to be at or earlier than 6 months of age and the booster dose should also be considered at age 6.