Browsing by Author "Haddison, Eposi C."

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    Comparison of School based and Supplemental Vaccination Strategies in the Delivery of Vaccines to 5-19 year olds in Africa
    (F1000Research, 2017) Haddison, Eposi C.; Abdullahi, Leila H.; Hussey, Gregory D.; Kagina, Benjamin M.
    Some vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) still remain a public health burden in many African countries. The occurrence of VPDs in all age groups has led to the realization of the need to extend routine immunisation services to school age children, adolescents and adults. Supplemental immunisation activities (SIAs) and school based vaccinations (SBVs) are common strategies used to complement the expanded programme on immunisation (EPI). This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of SIAs compared to SBVs in the administration of vaccines to 5-19 year olds in Africa. Systematic review methods were used to address our study aim. Several electronic databases were searched up to March 30, 2017 for primary studies investigating the delivery of vaccines via SIAs or SBVs to 5-19 year olds. This search was complemented by browsing reference lists of potential studies obtained from search outputs. Outcomes considered for inclusion were: vaccination coverage, costs of the strategy or its effect on routine immunisation services. Out of the 4938 studies identified, 31 studies met the review inclusion criteria. Both SIAs and SBVs showed high vaccination coverage. However, the SIAs reported higher coverage than SBVs: 91% (95% CI: 84%, 98%) versus 75% (95% CI: 67%, 83%). In most settings, SBVs were reported to be more expensive than SIAs. The SIAs were found to negatively affect routine immunisation services. Both SIAs and SBVs are routinely used to complement the EPI in the delivery of vaccines in Africa. In settings where school enrolment is suboptimal, as is the case in many African countries, our results show SIAs may be more effective in reaching school age children and adolescents than SBVs. Our results re-iterate the importance of evaluating systematic evidence to best inform African authorities on the optimal vaccine delivery strategies targeting school age children and adolescents.
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    Mapping the Evidence-base of Adolescent and Adult Vaccination in Africa: A slow but growing trend
    (J Vaccines Immunol, 2019) Haddison, Eposi C.; Machingaidze, Shingai; Wiysonge, Charles S.; Kagina, Benjamin M
    Historically, immunisation has largely focused on children. There is an increased realisation that optimal control of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) requires an extension of immunisation to adolescents and adults. Research is vital to guide the extension of adolescent and adult immunisation without interference with the childhood immunisation programmes. We therefore conducted a study assessing the types and quality of available research on adolescent and adult immunisation in Africa from 2011 to 2019.
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    Successful Polio Supplementary Immunisation Activities in a Security Compromised Zone – Experiences from the Southwest Region of Cameroon
    (Vaccine, 2018) Haddison, Eposi C.; Ngono, Dorine; Kouamen, Gael T.; Kagina, Benjamin M.
    Supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs) play a central role in polio eradication efforts. Armed conflicts resulting in insecurity negatively affect SIAs. In the Southwest region of Cameroon, armed conflicts persisted in 2018. We present our experiences of conducting a polio SIA in an insecure region. The SIA took place from the 2nd to 4th of March 2018 and targeted 307,920 children aged 0–59 months. Bivalent polio vaccine was used. Before the SIA, extensive planning was done under the leadership of a Central Technical Group. Planning included security assessment, advocacy and social mobilisation. Only 4 of the 18 health districts (HDs) of the Southwest region were considered safe. Regardless, vaccination teams worked in all HDs. The SIA achieved a coverage of 89.9%. Town criers and social mobilisers were the main sources of information about the SIA. Most (76%) children were vaccinated using the door to door strategy. There was no case of vaccine refusal.Community members were very receptive of the SIA and this may be due to the communication that was adopted. Strong dedication by vaccination teams, community members’ understanding and acceptance of polio SIAs are all key factors to the eradication of polio in conflict zones.