Measles elimination--a case definition to enhance surveillance.

In Australia, progress towards measles elimination has recently seen a shift from an ’outbreak control‘ phase to an ’elimination phase‘ with the publication of supportive comprehensive guidelines; 5 this is encouraging. Strategies accompanying this change in policy are similar to those adopted in the Americas and include modification of the vaccination schedule to improve coverage rates through earlier routine two-dose childhood vaccination, a once-off school-based mass campaign in 1998, protection of high-risk groups, and rapid response to outbreaks.