Introduction of Preventive Vaccination of Meningococcal Meningitis using MenAfriVac in Northern Uganda 2017

Abstract

Background. Major outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis Sero-type A are cyclic; occurring every 10 years, with over 75% of the outbreak occurring within age category of 1-29 years. The overall objective of the preventative campaign was to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by meningococcal meningitis serotype A in Uganda. The specific of objective was to conduct a 90% coverage of MenAfriVac conjugate Vaccine in a target population of 1-29 years in 39 meningitis high-risk districts. Methods. The 5 days' campaign was conducted in 39 districts of northern Uganda with a total population of 10,142,326. A target population of (1-29 years) 7,198,555 was reached. Activities conducted during the preparation and implementation of the campaign included; district coordination meetings, district/health facility micro-planning meetings, district/sub county trainings of health workers and provision/distribution of logistics. The preventative campaign was conducted from 19th-23rd January 2017. Results. A total of 7,228,554 (1-29 years) and 37,377(>30 years) were vaccinated in a period of 5days. The age categories of 1-5, 6-15, and 16-29 years were 10,842,831(15%), 1,879,424(26%), and 2,096,281(29%) in total population covered, respectively. Training at district level, 893 (males, 71%) health workers were trained while at sub county level 12,150 health workers were trained and 6,076 post mobilizers were sensitized. A total of 663 vaccination post was established in the 39 districts and 5,094,588 doses of MenAfriVac conjugate vaccine were utilized. The coverage achieved during the campaign was 104% with wastage factor of 2.3%. adverse events following immunization (AEFI) were 108cases (minor 101 and major 7). Conclusion. The preventive campaign was successful conducted despite massive influx of refuges from southern Sudan in some participating districts as noted by coverage of 104%. The MenAfriVac conjugate vaccine was safely introduced in Uganda.