Measles Immunization

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Measles Immunization
 

Reduce incidence of diarrhoea by promoting measles vaccination within the first year of a child’s life. 100% immunization coverage against measles is the programme goal.

 

Name: Measles Immunization
Status:
Theme: Health Workers Education	Region and Country: Maharashtra, India
Partners:	Beneficiaries:
Funding Need:	Budget:
Duration:	Contact:

Programme Activities:
Children who have measles, or have had the disease in the previous 4 weeks, have a substantially increased risk of developing severe or fatal diarrhoea or dysentery (there is some evidence that the increased risk lasts up to months after the measles episode). Because of the strong relationship between measles and serious diarrhoea, and the effectiveness of measles vaccine, immunization against measles is a very cost-effective measure for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with diarrhoea. Measles vaccine given at the recommended age can prevent up to 25% of diarrhoea-associated deaths in children under 5 years of age.

However, in India, there are still _____ percent of children who are not immunized against measles. A team of researchers will investigate the following key points related to why many (how many?) children are not receiving a measles immunization within the first year of their life.

• Is there an adequate supply of the measles vaccination for all children within their first year of life in the state of Maharashtra? If so, is the necessary coordination occurring within the health delivery system to provide the vaccination to children within the first year of their life?
   

• Are health care providers aware of the importance and necessity of a measles vaccination to all children to reduce child mortality, and the importance of receiving this immunization within the first year of a child's life? If so, are they effectively conveying this message to mothers?
   

• Are mothers aware of the importance and necessity of a measles vaccination to all children within their first year of life, and if so what is the obstacle preventing children from receiving the vaccination in the time proposed?

Intended Results:
Through a multi-tiered investigation of why all children are not receiving a measles immunization within the first year of their life, a programme will be designed to provide the vaccination to children. The programme aim will be to provide 100 % immunization coverage against measles to children within their first year of life

Programme Management and Implementation:
Health workers will play a crucial role in the anticipated social marketing of measles immunization for child survival. The health workers will serve as the "sales force" to sell the knowledge and importance of a measles vaccination within the first year of a child's life to mothers. In order to do this, they must be fully educated about the product they are promoting--its benefits and costs--and be sensitive to the concerns of mothers.
The knowledge gained from the investigation about why (how many) children are not currently being immunized against measles within their first year of life will be analyzed and applied to design a program increasing vaccination coverage. This programme will include a campaign that promotes a single day of the week for free measles vaccinations. Through demand creation activities such as TV and radio broadcasts, and print materials, mothers will be informed about the special opportunity on a designated day of the week for a free measles vaccination. This tactical information will be combined with a thematic message about the danger of measles. As part of this program, extended hours of local health centres will be advertised. Focusing a mother's attention on a specific day will encourage her to think about her child's immunization status and take action.

In addition to this campaign, conferences can be organized to effectively receive the increased demand for the measles vaccination. These conferences will serve as a way to mobilize health workers, but also allow them to express difficulties and resolve possible conflicts or problems that may arise with the increased demand of measles immunization. The conferences can also serve as a locale for distributing materials, explaining campaign rationales, and providing refresher training in immunization if necessary.

Programme Monitoring and Evaluation:
Health workers will be given the task of monitoring the design and implementation of the programme. Because they are the key player in this programme, they can be presented with the task of monitoring the program as an opportunity to monitor and evaluate the success of their campaign and its related activities.

Learning and Dissemination:


Related Resources:

Notes from the Field: Communication for Child Survival, Launching a Social Marketing Project for Immunization in Metro Manila by Eleanora M. de Guzman, Cecilia Cabanero-Verzosa, Jose Rafael S. Hernandez, et. al (87-94).

Facts for Life - Measles Immunization

Management of a Child with Measles
Dr. Anil Mokashi. MD., DCH., FIAP, PhD.

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