Measles epidemic in the Netherlands, 1999-2000

J Infect Dis. 2002 Nov 15;186(10):1483-6. doi: 10.1086/344894. Epub 2002 Oct 29.

Abstract

In 1999-2000, a measles epidemic occurred in The Netherlands, with 3292 reported cases; 94% of the affected patients had not been vaccinated. Only 1 patient had received 2 doses of vaccine. Three patients died, and 16% had complications. For the unvaccinated population, the incidence per 1000 inhabitants 15 months to 14 years old increased from 83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 53-113), in municipalities with vaccine coverage rates < or =90%, to 200 (95% CI, 153-247), in municipalities with coverage rates >95%; for the vaccinated population, the incidence increased from 0.2 (95% CI, 0.1-0.4) to 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-1.9). Unvaccinated individuals were 224 times (95% CI, 148-460 times) more likely to acquire measles than were vaccinated individuals; the relative risk increased with decreasing vaccine coverage. Herd immunity outside unvaccinated clusters was high enough to prevent further transmission. More case patients came from the vaccine-accepting population living among unvaccinated clusters than from individuals who declined vaccination and who lived among the vaccine-accepting population.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Measles / complications
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Measles Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia / etiology
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Measles Vaccine