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

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

Chen Stein-Zamir  1 , Nitza Abramson  1 , Naomi Edelstein  1 , Hanna Shoob  1 , Gary Zentner  1 , Deena R Zimmerman  1
Affiliations

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

Chen Stein-Zamir et al. Am J Public Health. 2019 Dec.

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.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Number of Measles Cases Reported in Jerusalem District in Epidemiological Weeks 22 to 52: Israel, June–December 2018 Note. MMR1 = measles, mumps, rubella 12-month dose. The cases were divided into intervention group (ages 1–14 years inclusive) and nonintervention group (all other ages). The line above the bar graph represents the weighted overall measles–mumps–rubella schedule 1 immunization coverage rates for all Jerusalem District maternal child health clinics by week.
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Comment in

  • Amanda Cohn Comments.
    Cohn A. Cohn A. Am J Public Health. 2019 Dec;109(12):1717. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305387. Am J Public Health. 2019. PMID: 31693418 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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