Measles prevention and control in emergency settings.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• International Health

Background:

• Measles outbreaks frequently impact children in refugee and famine-affected settings.
• High measles-associated mortality rates are prevalent in undernourished populations within refugee camps.
• Measles mortality is preventable through timely immunization, a critical component of emergency relief.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline essential strategies for measles prevention and control in emergency relief camps.
• To emphasize the priority of measles immunization within humanitarian aid programs.
• To highlight the role of vitamin A supplementation in reducing measles-related mortality and morbidity.

Main Methods:

• Recommends immediate measles vaccination for all children aged 6 months to 5 years upon entering organized camps.
• Prioritizes immunization for children in feeding centers or identified as undernourished if vaccine supplies are limited.
• Advocates for strong coordination with local expanded programs on immunization and utilization of existing infrastructure.

Main Results:

• Measles immunization is a high priority intervention, second only to food rations in emergency relief.
• Vitamin A supplementation alongside measles immunization significantly reduces mortality and morbidity in severely malnourished children.
• Measles occurrence within a camp does not contraindicate vaccination campaigns.

Conclusions:

• Implementing comprehensive measles immunization programs, including vitamin A supplementation, is vital for child survival in emergency settings.
• Effective coordination and utilization of existing resources are key to successful immunization campaigns.
• Targeted vaccination strategies are necessary when resources are scarce to protect the most vulnerable populations.