The Lancet
Mar 21, 2009  Volume 373  Number 9668  Pages 979 – 1052
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Measles mortality reduction in Africa
Robin J Biellik, David WG Brown
Preview
Population-based measles serology is a well-established measure of the performance of vaccination programmes. This composite measure of immunity after vaccination and natural infection has been used extensively to inform programme strategies.1 Furthermore, WHO recommends the use of measles IgM serology for case confirmation in measles surveillance in countries that adopt measles mortality reduction or elimination goals.2 However, collection of serum specimens is invasive and creates a risk of exposure to blood-borne infections, and might be resisted in certain communities in developing countries.