A RANDOMISED controlled intervention study of the effect on the uptake of measles vaccine of directly mailed health education material was carried out. The study population was 13-month-old children living in north and west Belfast where measles immunisation levels are very low. Parents of half the children were posted a copy of the Health Education Council's leaflet Measles is Misery plus a covering letter. Six months after intervention the immunisa tion status of both intervention and control groups was ascertained. No significant difference in vaccine uptake was found. Possible reasons for this finding are discussed, and alternative approaches suggested.
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