Mass Immunization Campaign in Karachi's Squatter Settlements
Author Information
Author(s): Khan Mohammad Imran, Ochiai Rion Leon, Hamza Hasan Bin, Sahito Shah Muhammad, Habib Muhammad Atif, Soofi Sajid Bashir, Bhutto Naveed Sarwar, Rasool Shahid, Puri Mahesh K, Ali Mohammad, Wasan Shafi Mohammad, Khan Mohammad Jawed, Abu-Elyazeed Remon, Ivanoff Bernard, Galindo Claudia M, Pang Tikki, Donner Allan, von Seidlein Lorenz, Acosta Camilo J, Clemens John D, Nizami Shaikh Qamaruddin, Bhutta Zulfiqar A
Primary Institution: Aga Khan University
Hypothesis
To determine the safety and logistic feasibility of a mass immunization strategy outside the local immunization program in the pediatric population of urban squatter settlements in Karachi, Pakistan.
Conclusion
The mass vaccination campaign showed good acceptance and posed no major safety problems, indicating that such campaigns are feasible and safe.
Supporting Evidence
- The vaccine coverage of the population was 74%, higher in those under age 10 years.
- No life-threatening serious adverse events were reported.
- Adverse events occurred in less than 1% of all vaccine recipients.
- Mass vaccination in slums had good acceptance.
- Systemic reactions were uncommon and local reactions were mild and transient.
Takeaway
The study shows that giving vaccines to children in poor neighborhoods can work well and is safe.
Methodology
A cluster-randomized double-blind preventive trial was conducted in 60 geographic clusters covering 21,059 children aged 2 to 16 years.
Potential Biases
The trial nature of the vaccination process could have affected coverage results, with significant refusals and non-responses.
Limitations
The targeted sample size could not be achieved due to refusals and non-response during the vaccination campaign.
Participant Demographics
The study involved children aged 2 to 16 years from urban low socio-economic settings in Karachi, with a mix of Punjabi-Pathan ethnic groups.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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