title: Tetanus and diphtheria immunization coverage in Ecuadorian children after a national vaccination campaign.
abstract: Between October 1985 and June 1986, a national vaccination campaign was launched in Ecuador. Between March and November 1986, 7798 Ecuadorian children < 5 years old were enrolled in a representative health survey. According to their vaccination cards, 65% of children had a complete series of three doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination. Serum samples were obtained from a subset of 1400 children; by ELISA, 80% had serologic evidence of recent DTP vaccination and > 80% of the newborns had tetanus antitoxin titers, indicating recent tetanus vaccination of their mothers. For all 1400 children, median tetanus and diphtheria antitoxin titers were 1.0 and 0.6 IU/mL, respectively. These data indicate the possibility of success of such vaccination campaigns if supported by the government.
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Research Centre, Nestec Ltd., Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brüssow
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sidoti
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Freire
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004484:Ecuador; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009313:National Health Programs; D013742:Tetanus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin