Can we prevent the next epidemic? The elimination of childhood diseases by mass vaccination

[摘要] Recently in New Zealand there have been outbreaks of measles andpertussis every six and five years respectively. A model has beenused to compare the dynamics of these diseases, and to determine theoptimum ages at which children should be vaccinated against them.Whereas measles could be eliminated by giving the second vaccinationat five years instead of eleven, it is difficult to devise apractical scheme that would eliminate pertussis. It is thennecessary to consider vaccination schemes in the light of theage-structure of future epidemics as well as their timing.

[学科分类] 自然科学（综合）