Community-Oriented Epidemic Preparedness and Response to the Jerusalem 2018-2019 Measles Epidemic

Am J Public Health. 2019 Dec;109(12):1714-1716. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305343. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Abstract

Measles epidemics are still a public health challenge worldwide, necessitating a rapid response. The Jerusalem District Health Office applied a community-oriented intervention during the 2018-2019 epidemic (2150 notified cases). Program development targeted the socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of high-incidence Jewish ultraorthodox communities. Health care and community collaboration led to coverage rates of measles vaccination increasing from 80% to 95% within three months and a significant decline in incidence. Epidemic preparedness calls for maintaining the infrastructure of countermeasures combined with sustaining immunization coverage.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Communicable Disease Control / organization & administration*
  • Community Participation / methods
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Epidemics / prevention & control*
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs / organization & administration
  • Infant
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles / ethnology
  • Measles / prevention & control*
  • Measles Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Public Health
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vaccination Coverage / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Measles Vaccine