Mass vaccination of measles and rubella (MR) in Guilan, Northern Iran: Evaluation of coverage and complications

Background: The notorious complications of measles and the contribution of maternal rubella to congenital malformation of the fetus (congenital rubella syndrome) resulted in inclusion of vaccination against measles and rubella in national preventive programs. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the coverage of mass vaccination of Measles and Rubella (MR) and to determine the prevalence of complications of these vaccines in the target population of Guilan Province, Iran. Methods: This is a population based epidemiologic cross-sectional study. After completion of a nationwidemass vaccination of MR for the age group of 5-25 years in 2003, in private and governmental medical and health centers of Guilan Province, demographic and epidemiologic information about the vaccination coverage and complications were extracted from the data banks. Statistical analysis was performed using software EPI 2002. P value< 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The target population considered for MR mass vaccination was estimated approximately 1,034,975 persons. 99.04% (1024998) of them were vaccinated from Dec. 2003 to Jan. 2004. Complications appeared in 765 cases (7 per 10000). 96% of the complications were of common types such as fever and headache, requiring no treatment. Gender difference in MR vaccine complications was significant as 5.6 per 10000 in males in comparison to 9.26 per 10000 in females. Similarly, the prevalence of complications was highest in the age group 10 to 14 years and least in the age group 20 to 25 years. Conclusion: Mass vaccination for Measles and Rubella, aiming at eradicating these diseases, was highly successful in terms of wide coverage, positive feedback from the public and low complication rate in this region.