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- Title
Impact of the Ebola outbreak on routine immunization in western area, Sierra Leone - a field survey from an Ebola epidemic area.
- Authors
Xiaojin Sun; Samba, T. T.; Jianyi Yao; Wenwu Yin; Lin Xiao; Fuqiang Liu; Xiaoqiang Liu; Jikun Zhou; Zengqiang Kou; Hongwei Fan; Hao Zhang; Williams, Aqnes; Lansana, Paul M.; Zundong Yin; Sun, Xiaojin; Yao, Jianyi; Yin, Wenwu; Xiao, Lin; Liu, Fuqiang; Liu, Xiaoqiang
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Since March 2014, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa disrupted health care systems - especially in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - with a consequential stress on the area's routine immunization programs. To address perceived decreased vaccination coverage, Sierra Leone conducted a catch-up vaccination campaign during 24-27 April 2015. We conducted a vaccination coverage survey and report coverage estimates surrounding the time of the EVD outbreak and the catch-up campaign.<bold>Methods: </bold>We selected 3 villages from each of 3 communities and obtained dates of birth and dates of vaccination with measles vaccine (MV) and the 3rd dose of Pentavalent vaccine (Pentavalent3) of all children under 4 years of age in the 9 selected villages. Vaccination data were obtained from parent-held health cards. We calculated the children's MV and Pentavalent3 coverage rates at 3 time points, 1 August 2014, 1 April 2015, and 1 May 2015, representing coverage rates before the EVD outbreak, during the EVD outbreak, and after the Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) catch-up campaign.<bold>Results: </bold>The final sample size was 168 children. MV coverage among age-eligible children was 71.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 62.1% - 80.4%) and 45.7% (95% CI: 29.2% - 62.2%) before and during the outbreak of EVD, respectively, and was 56.8% (95% CI: 40.8% - 72.7%) after the campaign. Pentavalent3 coverage among age-eligible children was 79.8% (95% CI: 72.6% - 87.0%) and 40.0% (95% CI: 22.5% - 57.5%) before and during the outbreak of EVD, and was 56.4% (95% CI: 39.1% - 73.4%) after the campaign.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Coverage levels of MV and Pentavalent3 were low before the EVD outbreak and decreased further during the outbreak. Although the MCHW catch-up campaign increased coverage levels, coverage remained below pre-outbreak levels. High-quality supplementary immunization activities should be conducted and routine immunization should be strengthened to address gaps in immunity among children in this EVD-affected area.
- Subjects
WEST Africa; SIERRA Leone; EBOLA virus disease vaccines; EPIDEMICS; IMMUNIZATION; VIRAL vaccines; EPIDEMIOLOGY; EBOLA virus disease; MEDICAL protocols
- Publication
BMC Public Health, 2017, Vol 17, p1
- ISSN
1471-2458
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1186/s12889-017-4242-7