Immunizations in College Health: The Remaining Tasks

Abstract Vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly measles and rubella, continue to have an adverse impact on health on college campuses. During 1985, 354 cases of measles (12.6% of the national total) occurred on 26 campuses in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly two-thirds of college students with measles in 1985 had inadequate evidence of immunity. A total of 65 students (18.4%) required hospitalization; 3 died, accounting for all measles-related deaths in 1985. In 4 outbreaks accounting for 103 (29.1%) college cases, the index case was a student who acquired measles while traveling abroad. During 1983–1985, 7 rubella outbreaks were reported on the nation's campuses with 132 cases (6% of the national total). Three-quarters of college students with rubella had inadequate evidence of immunity. Measles and rubella can be eliminated from college campuses if college health services, clinicians, and public health officials (1) work to maintain high immunization levels, (2) improve surveillance an...