Incidence of infectious disease and the licensure of immunobiologics in the United States.

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to investigate the relationship of vaccine or toxoid licensure with the incidence of the target disease in the United States.

METHODS

We used a historical correlational study design with outcome measures of the national incidence and elimination rate of polio, pertussis, diphtheria, and measles as well as the New York City incidence and elimination rate of mumps, rubella, and tetanus.

RESULTS

The licensure of pertussis, measles, polio, mumps, and rubella vaccine was followed by an increase in the elimination rate of disease. The elimination rates of diphtheria and tetanus apparently worsened following the licensure of the respective toxoids.

CONCLUSIONS

Historical data provide evidence of proof of efficacy of mass immunization for measles, polio, rubella, mumps, and pertussis, but not for diphtheria or tetanus.