Efficacy of two dose measles vaccination in a community setting.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of two dose and single dose measles vaccination in a community setting. DESIGN: Two community ICDS blocks with populations of 8990 and 8550 children below 12 years of age were selected. Block A had 1560 children between 9 mo to 1 year of age and Block B had 1380 children between the age of 9 mo to 1 year. METHODS: All eligible children between 9 mo to 1 year of age were given measles vaccination in October 1994. Only the children in Group A were given a second dose of measles (as MMR) in April 1995; six months after the first dose. A survey was undertaken from January 1996 to April 1996 to clinically evaluate the number of cases of measles in both these blocks. RESULTS: In Block A 3 children developed measles, whereas in Block B, there were 16 cases of measles (p < 0.01). All other parameters in both groups, e.g., cold chain maintenance were similar. CONCLUSION: This study supports the superiority of two dose measles vaccination given at an interval of 6 months over a single dose measles in a community setting.

A randomised multicentre study to compare the safety and efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in children.

A randomised control multicentre study to compare the safety and efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in children is reported. One hundred and fifty children of either sex (age range: 2-10 years) were randomised to receive either a single dose of 400 mg of albendazole suspension, or 22.5 mg/kg/day of metronidazole in 3 divided doses for 5 consecutive days. At the end of therapy, majority of children in both treatment groups were symptom free. Two days after completion of therapy, 97% of children in both treatment groups were giardia free in the stools. Side effects were noted in 3 children in the albendazole group, and in 20 children in the metronidazole group. We conclude that albendazole suspension is as effective as metronidazole in the treatment of giardial infection in children. It is safe and has fewer side effects as compared to metronidazole.