title: Vaccination campaign at a temporary camp for victims of the earthquake in Lorca (Spain).
abstract: Outbreaks in temporary camps are an important risk for the health of the displaced population. The town of Lorca (Murcia, Spain) suffered 2 earthquakes on May 2011 that required the re-housing of 1,424 victims in a temporary camp. Following 4 cases of chickenpox control measures were adopted among the displaced population. These measures included vaccination against chickenpox; due to the existence of cases of measles in adjacent regions, it was decided to offer measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination as well. The immunization campaign was performed during 2 d (3 to 4 d after the first case). The immunity status of 1,041 (73,1%) of the residents was reviewed. Being vaccinated 523 (67%) against chickenpox and MMR, 133 (17%) against only MMR and 124 (16%) against only chickenpox. We consider the action taken was a success, as only 4 additional cases of chickenpox were subsequently recorded in the campsite, being avoidable only one of them. There is a major risk of outbreaks in a disaster situation. Because of this, conducting preventive actions are indicated to avoid doing worse this critical.
authors.affiliation: a Vaccinations Programme, Health Department , Region of Murcia , Spain.
authors.forename: Jaime Jesús
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pérez-Martín
authors.affiliation: b Public Health Service , Lorca, Region of Murcia , Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco José
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Romera Guirado
authors.affiliation: b Public Health Service , Lorca, Region of Murcia , Spain.
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Molina-Salas
authors.affiliation: a Vaccinations Programme, Health Department , Region of Murcia , Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro José
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bernal-González
authors.affiliation: a Vaccinations Programme, Health Department , Region of Murcia , Spain.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Navarro-Alonso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000073017:Refugee Camps; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
keywords: chickenpox vaccine; earthquakes; mass vaccination; measles-mumps-rubella vaccine; natural disasters; outbreaks; prevention and control; public health