- The ARC - California Edition -

Measles Vaccine is Working

The year 1997 was a banner year for the prevention of the childhood disease measles, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 138 confirmed measles cases in 1997 represent a record low since measles became a nationally reportable disease in 1912. This is 55% lower than a previous reported low of 309 cases which occurred during 1995. In three of the past five years, there have been less than 500 cases reported in the United States.

Prior to the 1960’s (when a vaccine against the illness was licensed) hundreds of thousands of measles cases were being reported in the US every year. Before this vaccine became available, the measles disease was annually killing hundreds and permanently damaging hundreds more. In many parts of the world, this is still occurring, as some countries do not have immunization programs for their children.

(Measles -- United States, 1997; MMWR, April 17, 1998, volume 47, number 14)