Introduction: Measles is a disease under the elimination program coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The elimination of measles in the country is possible provided that 95% of the population is vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine, the epidemiological situation is monitored, all suspected cases of measles are recorded, and laboratory diagnostics are conducted by the WHO Reference Laboratory. Polish Reference Laboratory is located at the Department of Virology NIPH NIH - NRI.
Objective: The aim of the article is to analyze the epidemiological situation of measles in Poland in 2020 with presenting the measles vaccination coverage and the progress of the measles elimination programme in Poland.
Material and methods: The epidemiological situation of measles in Poland was analyzed on the basis of the case-based questionnaires of cases suspected of measles sent to NIPH NIH - NRI by the Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations, data from the publications: "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2020" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2020".
Results: In 2020, 29 cases of measles were notified to the surveillance system in Poland (incidence 0.08 per 100,000 population). The highest incidence was observed in the aged 0-4 was estimated at 0.42 per 100,000 population. Out of all cases, 9 (31%) were hospitalized. No fatal cases due to the measles were reported.
Conclusions: The epidemiological situation of measles in 2020 in comparison with the situation in 2019, has improvement. This was a trend in throughout Europe.
Keywords: 2020; Poland; epidemiology; measles.
© National Institute of Public Health NIH – National Research Institute.