Using Regular High-Quality Serosurveys to Identify and Close National Immunity Gaps—Measles and Rubella Elimination in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, periodic measles outbreaks occurred mainly among young children under the routine immunization program with one dose of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV). A second dose of MCV was introduced in 2006. During a nationwide measles resurgence in 2007–2008, the most affected age group was teenagers. The national serological surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases made it clear that there was a measles immunity gap among teenagers who had not received a second dose of MCV. To fill this immunity gap, nationwide non-selective supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) were carried out as a five-year program from April 2008 to March 2013 by providing an opportunity to be vaccinated with the measles and rubella vaccine during the first year of junior high school (12–13 years old) and the last year of high school (17–18 years old). The SIA was conducted with the strong involvement of local governments in charge of vaccination delivery and collaboration between the health and education sectors. Japan was verified as achieving measles elimination in 2015 and this has been sustained to date. The challenge of rubella elimination following a similar strategy of a serological diagnosis of an immunity gap and targeted vaccination is also discussed.