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February 10, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"As Vaccination Rates Decline in Ireland, Cases of Measles Soar" New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (02/08/03) P. A5; Lavery, Brian

Measles cases in Ireland continue to rise, as many parents--fearful about a purported link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine--refuse to immunize their children against the childhood disease. The National Disease Surveillance Center (NDSC) reported 100 cases of measles between December and January, up from an annual average of 30, and another 100 cases were reported shortly thereafter.  Vaccination coverage in part of Dublin has dropped to 63 percent, and the rate nationwide is just 72 percent.  NDSC Director Dr. Darina O'Flanagan says she is "seriously worried" about the outbreak, noting that Ireland currently leads other European nations in measles outbreaks.  However, some Irish physicians say the situation is not new, citing Ireland's poor immunization history as well as overworked health workers and a system that makes it difficult to monitor vaccination schedules.

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