Appears reassuringly EODY in his announcement about the cases of measles in our country during the period 2004-2023 (19.2/1,000,000 population) that have caused worry the last days. He points out, however, that the vigilance of health professionals is necessary on the one hand and on the other hand the intensification of vaccinations with an emphasis on the vaccinations of special population groups, young adolescents and adults who have not completed their vaccinations in the past, as well as the continued vigilance of local and national authorities.

Specifically, as emphasized in the organization’s resettlement, “during the period 2004-2023 three measles epidemics occurred in our country in the years 2005-2006, 2010-2011 and 2017-2018. A total of 4,151 cases were reported with an average annual reported incidence in the entire country of 1.92/100,000 population. The majority of cases involved Greek Roma (56.9%), but also young adults from the general population who were unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. The disease showed the highest incidence in the age group 0-4 years. A total of 4 deaths were reported with an average annual mortality rate of 0.02%.”

Distribution by age and gender

For the period 2004-2023, the number of cases with known age and sex was 4,109. The disease had the highest incidence in the age group 0-4 years, with an average annual reported incidence of 15.6 cases per 100,000 population followed by the age group 5-14 years with an average annual reported incidence of 5.11 cases per 100,000 population. The mean annual reported incidence in the remaining age groups ranged from 1.96 (in the 15-24 age group) to 0.01 cases per 100,000 population in the >64 age group. The mean annual reported incidence in men and women was similar ( men: 1.95/100,000 population, women: 1.86/100,000 population).

Population groups

Of all reported cases for the period 2004-2023, the nationality was known for 4,046 (97.5%).

• 3,583 cases (88.6%) were of Greek nationality:
â–ª 1,261 (31.2%) belonged to the general population,
â–ª 2,303 (56.9%) were Greek Roma,
â–ª 19 (0.5%) were Greeks of other special groups and
• 463 cases (11.4%) were of foreign nationality.

The majority of cases concern mainly Greek Roma, which indicates that the wide spread of the disease occurs in pockets of the population with low vaccination coverage.

During the period 2004-2023, the disease presented the highest average annual reported incidence in Western Greece (5.97/100,000) and Thessaly (3.70/100,000). The average annual reported incidence was relatively high in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (2.96/100,000) and in the Peloponnese (2.57/100,000). The lowest average annual reported incidence was presented in Western Macedonia and Epirus (0.20/100,000 and 0.31/100,000 respectively). During the period 2004-2023, the proportion of laboratory-confirmed cases reported was 56.7%.

Prevention

According to the current National Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule 2023 two doses of the measles vaccine are recommended.

The 2nd dose is recommended at the age of 24-47 months, but it can be given earlier, as long as 4 weeks have passed after the first. Both doses should be given after 12 months of age. Children and adolescents who have not been vaccinated with a 2nd dose should catch up as soon as possible. Also, during epidemic periods MMR vaccination can be done from the age of 6 months.

In this case, they should be revaccinated with two doses of MMR after 12 months of age according to the schedule.