ABSTRACT
The ministry of health in Egypt implemented Measles Rubella [MR] campaign in 2008 based on the recommendation of the WHO for supplementary immunization activities to eliminate measles by 2010. The targeted age was 10 to 20 years. Egypt had an epidemic of rubella in spring of 2007. This campaign is unique in Egypt as it is the first national vaccination campaign targeting university students. This study aimed at reporting the practice of vaccination among medical and non medical students in the MR vaccination campaign, to assess the knowledge about the vaccination, side effects and contraindications. Also to explore the compliance to vaccination and causes of refusal of vaccine uptake. The study was done in two stages, first stage during the vaccination sessions. Medical and non medical students were given a questionnaire to assess their knowledge about the campaign and the vaccine. The second stage was done after the end of the campaign to assess the compliance of medical students to vaccination. Vaccination posters inside the university were the main source of knowledge about the campaign as reported by 73.3% of students followed by friends 56% and TV ads 40.7%. Lack of knowledge about adverse effects, and contraindication was high [80.5% and 68.8% respectively]. The mean knowledge score percent of students was 26.5% and was higher among medical than non medical. Overall compliance with vaccination among medical students was [64.8%] which was significantly higher among females compared to males [81.5% versus 52.1% respectively]. Non compliant students had a significant higher mean age. Almost half of non compliant students reported refusal of vaccination due to insufficient information about the vaccine [43.3%]. A successful vaccination campaign was conducted at Am Shams University yet there were insufficient health education messages to support it