In view of the importance of measles and the scarcity of resources in developing countries a cost-benefit study of measles immunization was carried out in the Southern Province of Zambia. It was concluded that economic benefits can only be expected from a measles immunization programme in urban areas with 24 hours electricity supply while in rural areas it would be an additional economic burden. Less thermolabile measles vaccines and/or a more reliable cold chain might make the extension of measles vaccination programmes to rural areas more economic.