Impact of a mass vaccination campaign against a meningitis epidemic in a refugee camp

Trop Med Int Health. 1996 Jun;1(3):385-92. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.1996.d01-49.x.

Abstract

Serogroup A meningococcus epidemics occurred in refugee populations in Zaire in August 1994. The paper analyses the public health impact of a mass vaccination campaign implemented in a large refugee camp. We compared meningitis incidence rates from 2 similar camps. In Kibumba camp, vaccination was implemented early in the course of the epidemic whilst in the control camp (Katale), vaccination was delayed. At a threshold of 15 cases per 100 000 population per week an immunization campaign was implemented. Attack rates were 94 and 134 per 100,000 in Kibumba and Katale respectively over 2 months. In Kibumba, one week after crossing the threshold, 121,588 doses of vaccine were administered covering 76% of all refugees. Vaccination may have prevented 68 cases (30% of the expected cases). Despite its rapid institution and the high coverage achieved, the vaccination campaign had a limited impact on morbidity due to meningitis. In the early phase in refugee camps, the relative priorities of meningitis vaccination and case management need to be better defined.

MeSH terms

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / epidemiology
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / prevention & control*
  • Refugees*
  • Rwanda / ethnology
  • Vaccination*