title: Efficacy of diphtheria and tetanus vaccination in Gaza, Palestine.
abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness and usefulness of vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus in different age groups in Gaza, Palestine. Blood samples were collected from 180 children aged <12 years, 90 males and 90 females. Using ELISA methods, the efficacy of vaccination was estimated at 87.8% for diphtheria and 98.3% for tetanus. Mean serum titres varied significantly by age group: for diphtheria 0.24 IU/mL at age 2-4 years, 0.63 IU/mL at 7-8 years and 0.46 IU/mL at 11-12 years, and for tetanus 1.01 IU/mL, 2.63 IU/mL and 1.20 IU/mL respectively. The relatively low antibody titres, especially for diphtheria, suggest the need for a booster dose.
authors: Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Science, The Islamic University Gaza, Palestine. ialaswad@mail.iugaza.edu.ps
authors: I H
authors: IH
authors: Al Aswad
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Shubair
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003017:Clostridium tetani / Q000276:immunology*; D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000276:immunology*; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013742:Tetanus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid