The experience of countries in the Western Pacific Region in conducting national immunization days for poliomyelitis eradication

Mass vaccination campaigns for polio eradication: an essential strategy for success

Effective vaccines against poliomyelitis became available in the mid-1950s and early 1960s. Mass campaigns were an integral part of early control efforts. Thereafter, polio vaccines were used largely in routine childhood programs. The resolution in 1988 to eradicate polio globally led to the development of appropriate strategies to achieve this goal, including mass vaccination campaigns (i.e., national immunization days, sub-national immunization days and mop-up activities), to achieve the highest possible coverage in the shortest possible time. Unlike other vaccines, mass campaign use of oral poliovirus vaccine enhances the immunogenicity of this vaccine, primarily due to: (1) the decrease in the prevalence of other enteroviruses that potentially interfere with seroconversion; and (2) the secondary spread of vaccine virus from vaccinees to close contacts, resulting in seroconversion of some unvaccinated contacts. To reach the highest possible coverage, detailed planning, meticulous execution, careful supervision and standardized monitoring are critical. A number of innovative approaches to improve the quality and/or coverage have become the 'standard' of supplemental immunization activities. These mass campaigns have led to dramatic decreases in the incidence of polio. This chapter reviews the scientific, operational and programmatic data on mass campaign use of polio vaccines, and summarize the lessons learnt from implementing the mass vaccination strategies used to eradicate poliomyelitis globally.

Reasons for non-vaccination during national immunization days: a case study in Istanbul, Turkey

OBJECTIVE

The member states of the 41st World Health Assembly agreed to aim for the global eradication of polio by the year 2000. Turkey adopted this goal and made substantial progress. In this report, we present the results of a coverage and risk factor survey conducted to evaluate vaccine delivery during the 1999 national immunization days (NIDs) in a large district of Istanbul, Turkey. This study provides important information regarding risk factors and reasons for non-vaccination during the NIDs, defines rumours about the NIDs, and provides estimates of vaccination coverage.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A survey was conducted 3-10 days after the second round of 1999 NIDs using the standard expanded programme on immunization cluster survey method, for each of 10 health centre areas in Umraniye. In total, 2102 children were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

The vaccination coverage rate was 82.2%. Logistic regression analysis showed increased risk of non-vaccination in people who did not know the purpose of the NIDs, who had not had contact with a mobile vaccination team, who were unvaccinated in the first round of 1999 NIDs and who lived in the area of the Central Health Centre. Use of primary-level state healthcare facilities for routine childhood immunizations, and living in the area of the Adem Yavuz Health Centre had significant positive effects on vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

To achieve better results, better publicity of national campaigns using mass media, and improved use of mobile teams, are necessary.