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Haitian cholera vaccine uptake lowest in men, older persons
The first government-led oral cholera vaccination campaign introduced in Haiti yielded adequate vaccination coverage, although future campaigns should better target individuals who are unavailable for treatment during daytime hours, according to recent data.
In the multistage cluster survey, researchers evaluated participants living in Petite Anse (n = 1,121) and Cerca Carvajal (n = 809) 1 month after completion of an oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaign. Participants were broken into three groups: aged 1 to 4 years, aged 5 to 15 years and aged older than 15 years.
The survey was conducted Sept. 13-27, 2013. Questions covered general household information, including access to treated water and health care facilities, history of cholera infection, awareness of the OCV campaign, and the number of eligible household members who were vaccinated during the campaign.
Ninety-one percent (95% CI, 87%-93%) of the 568 participating households from Petite Anse and 93% (95% CI, 89%-96%) of the 357 households in Cerca Carvajal were aware of the OCV campaign. In Petite Anse, 79% (95% CI, 75.5%-83.7%) of households had one eligible resident who had received two OCV doses, while in Cerca Carvajal, 89% (95% CI, 83%-93%) had a member who had received two doses.
Both doses of OCV were received by 62.5% (95% CI, 57.9%-66.9%) of eligible residents of households in Petite Anse and 76.8% (95% CI, 71.1%-81.8%) of those in Cerca Carvajal.
Household members aged older than 15 years had the lowest rate of two-dose coverage (P < .01), and in Cerca Carvajal, male respondents had significantly lower vaccination coverage compared with female respondents (69% vs. 85%; P < .001). Major adverse events related to vaccination were not reported by the respondents. Unavailability or absence during the time periods the vaccine was administered was cited as the main barrier to vaccination.
According to the researchers, these findings demonstrate the need for additional outreach to individuals who may forgo vaccination due to work schedules.
“Vaccination sessions should be tailored to reach persons who work during the day and men in general,” the researchers wrote. – by Jen Byrne
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.