Implementation of a mass measles campaign in central Afghanistan, December 2001 to May 2002.
In Afghanistan health services have been disrupted by 23 years of conflict and 1 of 4 children die before age 5 years. Measles accounts for an estimated 35,000 deaths annually. Surveillance data show a high proportion of measles cases (38%) among those >/=5 years old. In areas with complex emergencies, measles vaccination is recommended for those aged 6 months to 12-15 years. From December 2001 to May 2002, Afghan authorities and national and international organizations targeted 1,748,829 children aged 6 months to 12 years in five provinces in central Afghanistan for measles vaccinations. Two provinces reported coverage of >90% and two >80%. Coverage in Kabul city was 62%. A subsequent cluster survey in the city found 91% coverage (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-0.91) among children 6-59 months and 88% (95% CI, 0.87-0.95) among those 5-12 years old. Thus, this campaign achieved acceptable coverage despite considerable obstacles.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Afghanistan Country Office, Kabul, Afghanistan.
N
N
Dadgar
A
A
Ansari
T
T
Naleo
M
M
Brennan
P
P
Salama
N
N
Sadozai
A
A
Golaz
F
F
Lievano
H
H
Jafari
M
M
Mubarak
E
E
Hoekstra
A
A
Paganini
F
F
Feroz
D000346:Afghanistan; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014480:United Nations
D008458:Measles Vaccine