Evaluation of a measles vaccine efficacy during a measles outbreak in Mbare, City of Harare Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To determine measles vaccine efficacy.


METHODS
Between October and November 1996, during a measles outbreak in Mbare, a retrospective study through interviews with care givers was performed. Thirty clusters were randomly selected and seven or more, nine to 35 months old children in each cluster were selected.


METHODS
Mbare suburb, City of Harare


METHODS
294 children aged nine to 35 months.


METHODS
Cases were classified in a two by two contingency table based on their vaccination status and measles status during the outbreak. Vaccine coverage, attack rates and vaccine efficacy were then calculated.


RESULTS
Of the 294 children selected, 83% (95% CI 78.7, 87.3) were vaccinated and 9.5% had measles. The attack rate for the vaccinated was 6.9% while that for the unvaccinated was 22%. Vaccine efficacy was 68%.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaccine efficacy was found to be low. There is need for serological confirmation of measles cases during outbreaks; for a comprehensive evaluation of the measles vaccination programme in Mbare and for maintenance of high measles vaccine coverage rates to reduce morbidity.
Mahomva
A I
AI
City Health Department, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Moyo
I M
IM
Mbengeranwa
L O
LO
D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D018881:Suburban Health; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
D008458:Measles Vaccine