Has the United States Population Been Adequately Vaccinated to Achieve Rubella Elimination?

摘要

Mathematical models indicate that elimination of rubella virus transmission requires maintenance of ∼90% rubella immunity among children. To evaluate whether rubella vaccination coverage among US preschool and school-age children is at levels consistent with rubella elimination, we reviewed data from 3 sources: (1) the Biologics Surveillance, which documents the net number of vaccine doses sold (1970–2004); (2) state immunization surveys of school entrants 5–6 years of age (1980–2005); and (3) the National Immunization Survey of children 19–35 months of age (1995–2004). Vaccine biologics data show that the net number of rubella vaccine doses sold was at least equivalent to the number of children born each year during 1970–2004. The average coverage for school-entrant surveys among reporting states was>95% for 1980–2004. National coverage among children 19–35 months of age was ⩾90% overall for each year during 1995–2004. Three independent surveys suggest that childhood coverage with rubella-containing vaccine has been at sufficiently high levels to achieve elimination of rubella virus transmission.