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Measles, mumps and rubella

With the introduction of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination programme in 1988 came the need to develop an integrated surveillance system. This enabled the epidemiology of these diseases to be monitored and provide the information needed to make informed decisions should national policy need to be adjusted.

Four methods are used in England and Wales to monitor the impact of the MMR vaccination programme. When analysed collectively they can be used to interpret the epidemiology of these diseases using data from four different perspectives.

They include:

  • Vaccine coverage data
  • Clinical notifications
  • Laboratory confirmations (via the MMR salivary surveillance programme)
  • Serological surveillance (antibody prevalence studies)

The HPA Seroepidemiology Programme (then the PHLS Serological Surveillance Programme) was primarily established to support such serological surveillance for measles, mumps, and rubella. Regular cross-sectional antibody prevalence studies using its serum collection (which reflect the general population) provide data that estimates the proportion that has been either exposed to the vaccine or disease.

These studies can confirm the other sources of surveillance information (Vyse et al, Epidemiologic Reviews 2002; 24: 125-136).


Last reviewed: 17 February 2010