Evaluation of a mass measles immunization campaign in yaoundé, cameroun

A mass measles immunization campaign carried out in Yaounde, Cameroun, has been evaluated. Sixty per cent of the children were immune to measles at the time of the campaign. Only 51% of the susceptible children received vaccine. This was caused by a lack of attendance at the vaccination centres and errors in the selection of children given vaccine. The vaccine administered was relatively ineffective: 40% seroconversion. Difficulties which probably contributed to the low seroconversion rate included sub-optimal vaccine titre, inadequate doses of vaccine, and the relatively long time of vaccine utilization under tropical temperatures. Overall, 83% of the vaccine given to the vaccinating team was wasted. Future immunization campaigns can be improved through better screening of the children, improved handling of the vaccine, the use of marker vaccines, and improved health education.