title: From Agadez to Zinder: estimating coverage of the MenAfriVac™ conjugate vaccine against meningococcal serogroup A in Niger, September 2010 - January 2012.
abstract: MenAfriVac™ is a conjugate vaccine against meningitis A specifically designed for Africa. In Niger, the MenAfriVac™ vaccination campaign was conducted in people aged 1-29 years in three phases. The third phase was conducted in November/December 2011 targeting more than 7 million people. We estimated vaccination coverage for the third phase; classified the 31 target districts according to vaccination coverage levels; analysed the factors associated with being vaccinated; described the reasons for non-vaccination; and estimated coverage of the MenAfriVac™ introduction in Niger by aggregating data from all three phases. We classified the districts by clustered lot quality assurance sampling according to a 75% lower threshold and a 90% upper threshold. We estimated coverage using a minimum cluster-sample of 30 x 10 in each region. Two criteria were used to document vaccination status: presentation of vaccination card only or by card and/or verbal history of vaccination (card+history). We surveyed 2390 persons. After the third phase, estimated coverage was 68.8% (95% CI 64.9-72.8) by card only and 90.9% (95% CI 88.6-93.2) by card+history. Five districts were accepted for coverage above 75% based on card only, whereas 25 were accepted based on card+history. Factors positively associated with being vaccinated were younger age (<15 years), female sex, residing in the same household for more than three months, and being informed about the vaccination campaign. The main reason for non-vaccination was not being at home during the campaign. Overall coverage for MenAfriVac™ introduction via 3 phases was 76.1% (95% CI: 72.5-79.6) by card only and 91.9% (95%CI: 89.7-94.1) by card+history.Although estimated coverage was high, pockets of non-vaccination probably still exist in the country; thus, the implementation of mop-up campaigns should be considered. Priorities for the future should include incorporating meningitis A vaccination into the existing immunization schedule and assessing its impact at a population level.
authors: European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden. saverio.caini@gmail.com
authors: Saverio
authors: S
authors: Caini
authors: Nam Seon
authors: NS
authors: Beck
authors: Harouna
authors: H
authors: Yacouba
authors: Idrissa
authors: I
authors: Maiga
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Chaibou
authors: Ide
authors: I
authors: Hinsa
authors: Aboubacar
authors: A
authors: Adakal
authors: Aboubacar
authors: A
authors: Issoufou
authors: Sung Hye
authors: SH
authors: Kim
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Pezzoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000517:prevention & control; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D038381:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup A; D009548:Niger; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C573970:MenAfriVac; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate