Assessment of immunization coverage in Iran

In an effort towards complying with the WHO,s global policy of achieving Health For All by the year 2000 and also with the pledge made by the Government of Iran to that effect, a national headquarters has been set up to speed the implementation of the Expanded Programme on Immunization [EPI] in the country. This paper aims to report the results of evaluations made at various times since the beginning of the implementation of EPI in 1983

Mass vaccination in rural area of Iran: a seroevaluation

In an attempt to convert mass vaccination practices to the Extended Programme on Immunization, a sero-evaluation study was carried out in rural Iran in 1976. A total of 22 246 rural children of 2-12 years of age were sampled. Blood samples taken on filter paper were tested by indirect hemagglutination technique to determine the level of circulating antibodies against tetanus toxoid. Tetanus was selected as an index not only because natural antibody against it is practically non existent, but also because protective levels of this antibody can reveal vaccination status of the individuals. Results show that except for few districts where complete protection reaches over 70%, the immunization status is not commendable. Moreover, no specific pattern for immunization could be detected. These and other results are discussed