Measles vaccination response during Kosi floods, Bihar, India 2008

The Kosi floods of Bihar in 2008 led to initial rapid displacement followed by rehabilitation of the affected population. Strategically planned phase-wise activity of supplementary as well as primary measles vaccination combined with a variety of other interventions proved to be successful in preven...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Indian pediatrics 2009-11, Vol.46 (11), p.997-1002
Main Authors: Varkey, Sherin, Krishna, Gopal, Pradhan, Narottam, Gupta, Satish Kumar, Caravotta, Jorge, Hombergh, Henri Vanden, Hoekstra, Edward, Askari, Sufia, Kansal, O P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Child
Child, Preschool
Floods
Humans
India - epidemiology
Infant
Measles - epidemiology
Measles - prevention & control
Measles Vaccine - administration & dosage
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Summary:The Kosi floods of Bihar in 2008 led to initial rapid displacement followed by rehabilitation of the affected population. Strategically planned phase-wise activity of supplementary as well as primary measles vaccination combined with a variety of other interventions proved to be successful in preventing outbreaks and deaths due to measles. While 70% supplementary measles vaccination coverage was achieved in relief camps, the coverage of primary measles doses in the latter phases was dependant on accessibility of villages and previous vaccination status of eligible beneficiaries. The integrated diseases surveillance system, which became operational during the floods, also complemented the vaccination efforts by providing daily figures of cases with fever and rash. The overall response was not only successful in terms of preventing measles mortality, but also provided vital lessons that may be useful for planning future vaccination responses in emergency settings.
ISSN:0974-7559