Measles vaccination in Africa: by how much could routine coverage be improved?

Vaccine. 2001 Oct 12;20(1-2):16-8. doi: 10.1016/s0264-410x(01)00264-x.

Abstract

Assuming that the level of Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) coverage gives a measure of access to immunisation services, it is possible to derive what fraction of infants are not immunised against measles due to under-utilisation of existing services (rather than unavailability of services). According to the most recent official statistics, the overall coverage for measles vaccine is 53% in Africa (10% lower than for BCG). This difference amounts to 3 million African children who will not be vaccinated against measles this year even though they probably have access to immunisation services.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Africa / epidemiology
  • BCG Vaccine
  • Developing Countries
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Measles / mortality
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Measles Vaccine*
  • Medically Underserved Area
  • Program Evaluation
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine
  • Measles Vaccine