Lessons learned from a measles outbreak in Antwerp, Belgium 2007-2008.

Asnong C., Van Herck K., Lernout T., Theeten H., Van Damme P.

A 2007 to 2008 measles outbreak in Antwerp, Belgium, identified the orthodox Jewish communities as a new risk group. This study analyzes vaccination data of 949 school children of 4 belief systems to assess the completeness and timeliness of their measles-mumps-rubella vaccination. Orthodox Jewish children show a 4-fold lower chance of complete vaccination, a delayed start, and increased temporal spacing of childhood vaccinations. Not only belief issues but difficulties to access the regular vaccination program also seem to be the main reason.

DOI

10.1097/inf.0b013e3181fbf5b7

Type

Journal article

Publication Date

2011-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

Volume

30

Pages

343 - 345

Total pages

2

Addresses

School Health Center of the Province of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.

Keywords

Humans, Measles, Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine, Vaccination, Disease Outbreaks, Students, Child, Child, Preschool, Jews, Belgium, Female, Male

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