To the Editor.—
The Public Health Service deserves enormous credit for its campaign to eliminate measles in the United States. The recent review1 attests to this fact. I must, however, disagree with the conclusion of the article. The glaring omission is that measles is again on the increase. After a record low of 1,436 cases reported in 1983, 1984 saw an increase of about 69.3% to 2,534 cases, and 1985 will probably see more cases than 1984.2 The statement in the conclusion, "Although 2% to 10% of vaccinated persons will remain susceptible, there is no reason to believe that such individuals can lead to sustained transmission of measles in the United States," is totally unfounded and deters the pediatrician from the future challenges of measles.
793 A position paper on the future requirements for occupational health physicians in the public health service, ireland
