A retrospective cohort study to determine the association of MMR vaccination coverage and incidence of measles in the United States between 1996 and 2012

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between MMR vaccination coverage and measles incidence in the US, as well as to examine the demographic characteristics and socio-economic status of unvaccinated individuals to determine if there are certain sub-populations who are routinely not receiving the MMR vaccine. METHODS/PROCEDURES: This retrospective cohort study determined the MMR vaccination coverage per year and compared it to the measles incidence for the same year. RESULTS: Results from this study suggest that regional differences in MMR vaccination rates spanning across multiple sub-populations are associated with the increasing measles incidence in the US. CONCLUSIONS: The correlations between MMR vaccination coverage and measles incidence in the US should be investigated further to determine what specific programs can be put in place to increase MMR vaccination rates state-wide and among vulnerable sub-populations