Measles epidemiology and elimination strategies in Turkey.

In Turkey, 15,000-30,000 measles cases have been reported annually since the 1990s. Epidemics occur every 3-4 years, and >/=90% of cases are <15 years old. The high incidence is due to inadequate vaccination coverage (nationally 84% in 2001) and immunity provided by the first dose of vaccine administered at age 9 months.