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Table 2 Risk analysis preventive vaccination, Minkaman

From: The new WHO decision-making framework on vaccine use in acute humanitarian emergencies: MSF experience in Minkaman, South Sudan

Considerations Specific considerations Assessment conclusion
Epidemiological/ risk assessment General risk factors: Disease-specific risk factors:  
  Limited access to curative health services. Young population and high birth rate. Overcrowding. Insufficient water, sanitation and hygiene Low population immunity: High risk for meningitis and cholera (no previous vaccination, no large outbreak in the past 3 years), pneumococcal disease, HiB and rotavirus (not yet introduced in EPI) Overall specific risk High/moderate High
VPD high specific risk associated for:
Measles, meningitis, cholera, polio, HiB, Pneumococcal disease and rotavirus
High burden of disease: main child deadly diseases are respiratory tract infections and diarrhea. Seasonality Cold dry season
Vaccine characteristics Antigen Type Recommended dosage VE 1 dose Target pop cm3/dose  
  Measles Live attenuated 1 dose ~ 85% > 6 m to 15y 0.75–5.22 Suitable for vaccination campaign two rounds (plus EPI)
  Cholera (oral Sanchol°) Inactivated 2 doses N/A >_ 1y 16.8–24.4 Suitable for vaccination campaign two rounds
  Polio Live attenuated 3 doses ~ 50% 6w to 5y 0.24–3.2 Suitable for vaccination campaign one round (plus EPI)
  PCV Inactivated 2 doses up to 70% 6w to 5y 4.8–15.7 Suitable for vaccination campaign two rounds (plus EPI)
  Pentavalent (DPT, HiB, Hep B) Inactivated 3 doses N/A 6w to 7y 2.6–5.1 Suitable for vaccination campaign three rounds (plus EPI)
  MenAfriVac® A Inactivated 1 dose ~ 75–95% 1 to 29y 2.6 Suitable for vaccination campaign one round
  Hep E   3 doses N/A >16y 132.6 Suitable for vaccination campaign three rounds
  Rotavirus (Rotarix® liquid)   2 doses N/A 6w to 2y 17,1 Suitable for vaccination campaign two rounds (plus EPI)
Contextual constraints and facilitators Ethical Political Security Economic/logistic constraints  
  No community opposition. Informed consent process possible at community and individual level. Target population displaced and host community for all vaccinations Current EPI policy limiting immunization activities (no pentavalent, rotavirus, PCV). Measles, polio cholera and meningitis campaigns validated. Antecedent of cghPCV vaccination approved The area of Minkaman is currently stable. No previous threats to immunization activities. No specific risk to health workers or those immunized Funding available. Sufficient vaccine supply. Vaccination teams already identified and trained in both injectable and oral vaccines. Cold chain and infrastructure already available and in place No major barriers for immunization activities.
Further negotiation required to use antigens not yet included in the EPI.
Conclusion In addition to mass vaccination campaigns targeting diseases with epidemic potential (measles, polio, meningitis and cholera), we propose a series of campaigns with new and underutilized vaccines (pentavalent, pneumococcal and rotavirus) targeting the most common childhood vaccine preventable diseases AND follow up with routine vaccination activities. We believe such vaccination campaign achieving high coverage in a displaced population can have a very important impact on childhood morbidity and mortality. The 3 rounds of campaigns necessary are feasible in this setting with logistic and human resources available.