The Role of Vaccine Coverage within Social Networks in Cholera Vaccine Efficacy
Author Information
Author(s): Root Elisabeth D., Giebultowicz Sophia, Ali Mohammad, Yunus Mohammad, Emch Michael
Primary Institution: University of Colorado at Boulder
Hypothesis
Does high vaccination coverage in an individual's social network provide indirect protection against cholera?
Conclusion
Higher levels of vaccine coverage in social networks can lead to increased indirect protection for non-vaccinated individuals and higher total protection for vaccine recipients.
Supporting Evidence
- Incidence rates of cholera among placebo recipients were inversely related to levels of vaccine coverage.
- Receipt of vaccine and social network vaccine coverage were independently related to reduced cholera risk.
- Social network analysis showed that higher vaccination rates in a network lead to lower cholera incidence.
Takeaway
If more people in your friends and family get vaccinated, it helps protect even those who don't get the vaccine from getting sick.
Methodology
Reanalyzed data from a placebo-controlled trial of cholera vaccines in Bangladesh, focusing on social network ties and cholera incidence.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on kinship ties for social network definitions.
Limitations
The study only considered kinship-based social networks and did not explore other social connections.
Participant Demographics
Participants included children and adult women in rural Bangladesh.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.037
Confidence Interval
95% CI not specified
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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