The epidemiology of infant measles under the current national vaccination procedure was explored in order to provide scientific evi dence f or i mprovements in vaccination strategies against measles . All data were collected via the Chinese Measles Surveillance System and used to analyze the distribution and i mmunization status of childhood measles cases during 2004-2007in Hangzhou. The results showedthat there were no differences in the prevalence of measles between urban and rural areas . Most cases aged 5 to 9 months were reported from March and May . The majority of cases at or less than 8 months of age werelocal inhabitants whereas children aged 9 months or older were more often visiting from other locales . The i mmunization coverage rate of non-local chil dren ( 14 .3%) was lower than that of l ocal chil dren (47.5 %)
(χ² =11.75, P < 0 .01) . The results indicate that it is necessary to strengthen the vaccination programin non-local children to decrease the incidence of infant measles . Furthermore , it may be beneficial f or  i mmunization against measles to start at the age of 6 months to help decrease the prevalence of measles in vulnerable infants who receive the first i mmunization of measles vaccine at 8 months of age .