Figures released by Public Health England indicate that the numbers of laboratory-confirmed cases of measles increased hugely between 2017 (n=274) and the first half of 2018 (n=738). Recently published articles on the subject from around the world suggest that issues related to poor vaccination uptake and also increased immigration and the associated importation of the virus are just two of a number of reasons for this increase in infection.
Measles vaccination in an increasingly immunized and developed world
Hayman DT. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018 Aug 29. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1517074 ([Epub ahead of print).
Increased measles immunisation has led to a significant decline in measles incidence and mortality. During 2016 it is estimated that fewer than 100,000 died from measles for the first time in recorded history. In highly immunised countries measles epidemiology has changed. Threats to national elimination goals and public health include ageing cohorts of naïve people who exist from imperfect vaccination rates during the early years of immunisation programmes. This may be complemented by some loss of immunity in vaccinated populations.
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