Efficacy of diphtheria and tetanus vaccination in Gaza, Palestine.
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.
Al Aswad
I H
IH
Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Science, The Islamic University Gaza, Palestine. ialaswad@mail.iugaza.edu.ps
Shubair
M E
ME
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
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid