[Evaluation of the cold chain and follow-up of the potency of the antimeasles vaccine in the field].

In order to evaluate the quality of the measles vaccine, it was carried out a study in three states of Mexico (Durango, San Luis Potosi and Yucatan) during the intensive vaccination campaign in 1986. Edmonston-Zagreb measles vaccine vials were obtained from the different administrative-sanitary levels of the Ministry of Health in Mexico. Interviews were performed to the vaccine responsibles. Questionnaires had the following aspects of the cold chain: storage, preservation, control and transport of measles vaccine. Answers were evaluated through a system, where 100% indicated the necessary and sufficient level to get a good operating of the cold chain. The vaccine potency did not have variations under the minimum titre recommended for the World Health Organization (W.H.O.). The three states had the following compliment of the cold chain norms: 1) Central state level: 83% in storage, 80% in preservation, 100% in control and 100% in transport norms; 2) Regional level (jurisdiction): 87% in storage, 51% in preservation, 93% in control and 100% in transport norms; 3) Local level: 83% in storage, 64% in preservation, 83% in control and 33% in transport norms.