Evaluation of oral poliovirus vaccine delivery during the 1994 national immunization days in Pakistan.

Pakistan conducted national immunization days (NIDs) for the first time in 1994. To estimate coverage, to evaluate risk factors for failure to be immunized, and to determine the effectiveness of mass media, parents of 1288 children in 714 households in four districts were surveyed after the first NID round. In each district, a high proportion of children (93%-96%) received oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) during the NID. In three districts, unimmunized or partially immunized children were less likely to receive NID OPV than were fully immunized children (Kohistan, P < .001; Quetta, P < .001; and Sibi, P = .05). Although a high proportion of children in each age cohort received NID OPV, in three districts children 0-11 months of age were less likely to receive NID OPV than were older children. Television and radio reached a high proportion of survey households, but other mass media were less effectively utilized. Risk factor and media effectiveness surveys provide important information that is useful for planning future NIDs.

Light and feed management of broiler breeders reared under short versus natural day length.

A series of four experiments was conducted to determine the response of meat-type breeder pullets to various light and feed management systems during the rearing, developing, and laying periods. Pullets reared under a short-day (8 h) lighting regimen entered lay at a significantly younger age and lighter body weight than did pullets reared under natural day length. When reared under short days, pullets subjected to light and feed stimulation earlier than 18 wk of age entered lay at a slightly younger age and significantly heavier body weight and produced fewer eggs through 45 wk of age. When pullets were reared under natural day length and photostimulated at 14 wk of age, incremental reductions in age (from 24 to 15 wk of age) at which feed stimulation was initiated resulted in proportionate reductions in age at first egg but had no effect on body weight at first egg. Results suggest that egg production by commercial meat-type females is optimum when managed to begin lay at 24 wk of age. Pullets reared under short days will enter lay at 24 wk if photostimulation is begun at 18 wk and feed stimulation is initiated not later than 24 wk. Pullets reared under natural day length will enter lay at 24 wk if photostimulation is begun at 14 wk and feed stimulation is initiated at 15 wk.

A serogroup A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine: studies in the Sudan to combat cerebrospinal meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis group A.

Vaccination against cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) has regained interest with the use of capsular polysaccharides (or polyosides) of the meningococcus as specific immunizing agents. These compounds proved to be effective in the USA against meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serotype C. This study considers whether the polysaccharides of the serotype A meningococcus, which is prevalent in the African CSM belt, could be protective in epidemic conditions. Taking advantage of the usual seasonal peak of CSM cases, controlled field trials were undertaken in the Sudan early in 1973. 21 640 persons were vaccinated, half of them with a meningococcal polyoside A vaccine and the other half with tetanus toxoid as a placebo. In the former group there were no cases of meningitis, whereas in the latter 10 cases were reported, of which 7 were confirmed by laboratory tests. These studies indicate that the meningococcal polyoside A vaccine is efficient in epidemic conditions and could be used to control outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis.