Measles vaccine coverage and series completion among children 0-8 years of age in Tianjin, China.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) targeted China for measles elimination by 2012. Although China made significant progress, transmission continues, warranting examination of China's measles vaccination program. The World Health Organization recommends that children receive at least 2 doses of a measles containing vaccine (MCV) to ensure protection. In Tianjin, China, MCV is given in 3 doses: 8 months [measles vaccine (MV)], 18-24 months [measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)-1] and 5 years MMR-2). MMR-2 is important because of the young age for MV administration. This study describes MCV coverage, assesses administration timeliness and evaluates completion of the MCV series for children living in Tianjin, China.

Methods: In July 2012, immunization records were selected from Tianjin's Immunization Information Management System. Records were abstracted for children born from 2004 to 2011, who were aged 8 months or older. Descriptive statistics characterized the study population and assessed timeliness and coverage for each MCV dose.

Results: We examined records of 205,982 children living in Tianjin, China. Among children who were age-appropriate for each vaccine, 98.6% received MV, 97.6% received MMR-1 and 76.9% received MMR-2. Of the children who were old enough to receive MMR-2, 78.8% received the complete series and 71.6% were fully immunized for measles by age 6 years.

Conclusions: Tianjin has high rates of MV and MMR-1 coverage, with lower levels for MMR-2. Most children who completed the series did so on time. Maintaining high coverage and timely administration of MV and MMR-1 and increasing coverage of MMR-2 are necessary for China to attain the goal of national measles elimination.