Cocuk Sagligi ve Hastaliklari Dergisi, vol.51, no.4, pp.199-205, 2008 (Scopus)
The second dose of measles vaccination has been performed since 1998 in Turkey. As a result of the vaccination campaign (VC) in 2003, the children vaccinated once or twice before VC would be vaccinated once more. The immunity provided by the campaign is investigated in this report. Blood samples were taken one month before and after VC. Measles antibody and total immunoglobulin G, M, and E were evaluated. The individuals were classified according to vaccination number and to socioeconomic status (SES). The mean age of 164 cases was 11.3±1.8 years. The measles seropositivity increased from 95.04% to 99.38% after VC. Three doses of vaccination did not provide more antibody response than two vaccination doses. After VC, a statistically significant decrease in the total IgG and IgM levels was detected. The 95% vaccination rate, recommended by the World Health Organization, was attained by VC in 2003. Measles vaccination has been applied at the 12th month of age after 2006. If the vaccination rate can be maintained, especially in low socioeconomic regions, then vaccination should be performed at the 15th month of age.