ABSTRACT
This report, which updates previous reports, presents estimates of global, regional, and national vaccination coverage and trends as of 2020. It describes the changes in vaccination coverage and the numbers of unvaccinated and undervaccinated children as measured by receipt of the first and third doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP)in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, compared with 2019. Global coverage estimates with the third dose of DTP (DTP3) and a polio vaccine (Pol3) fell from 86% in 2019 to 83% in 2020. Similarly, MCV1 coverage fell from 86% in 2019 to 84% in 2020. The last year the coverage estimates were at 2020 levels was 2009 for DTP3 and 2014 for both MCV1 and the third dose of Pol (Pol3). Worldwide, 22.7 million children(17% of the target population) did not receive DTP in 2020, compared with 19.0 million (14%) in 2019. Children who did not receive the first DTP dose (DTP1) by age 12 months (zero-dose children) accounted for 95%of the increased number. Among those who did not receive DTP3 in 2020, approximately 17.1 million (75%)were zero-dose children. Global coverage decreased in 2020 compared with 2019 estimates for the completion of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV),and rubella-containing vaccine (RCV). To reach full coverage with all recommended vaccines, tailored strategies will be needed, especially to reach communities with a lot of children who haven't had any or enough vaccines.
ABSTRACT
Vaccination prepares the body's immune system ready to recognise, destroy and remember foreign disease-causing agents when it encounters them. It is the most effective way of averting communicable diseases if fully accepted and demanded by the population at risk of spreading contagious diseases. Social mobilisation has been a critical way of encouraging demands, as well as acceptance and compliance, by the general public for immunisation services. Vaccination campaign against poliovirus by WHO since 1988 was a huge success across the globe except in three countries: Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Up until 3 years ago, polio eradication remained a challenge in Nigeria due mainly to non-acceptance of the vaccination by the hard-to-reach (HtoR) group. In this study, carried out at the height of the epidemic in Nigeria, we investigated the effects that social mobilisation on polio vaccination had on the hard-to-reach group. The participants were selected based on three criteria: age of the child, religion and social status. Semi-structured interview was employed and data analysed using the thematic content analysis. The results revealed that religion, service factor-distance to health facility and health staff behaviour are the key factors limiting the social mobilisation effort among the HtoR group. Nigeria began to make success only when one of the most respected Muslim leaders took ownership of the campaign for the elimination of polio, which has now placed Nigeria among the polio-free countries. Therefore, effective social mobilisation for vaccination programs of the HtoR group could be achieved faster with the involvement of religious leaders because of the enormous influence they have on their followers. This revelation is very important to note for the success of the upcoming vaccination campaign against COVID-19 disease, now that effective vaccines against the disease have been developed and ready for distribution.
ABSTRACT
The article features Albert Bruce Sabin (1906-1993), who is credited as the developer of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) for the treatment of poliomyelitis. Also cited are the influence of William Hallock Park as mentor of Sabin, as well as how Sabin's work on the vaccine led to his dispute with Jonas Salk, who created an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).