The effects of switching from 10 to 5-dose vials of MR vaccine on vaccination coverage and wastage: A mixed-method study in Zambia.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Vaccines procured for low-income countries are often packaged in multi-dose vials to reduce program costs. To avoid wastage, health workers may refrain from opening a vial if few children attend an immunization session, possibly leading to lower coverage. Lowering the number of doses in a vial may increase coverage and reduce wastage.

Methods

We used a mixed methods approach to measure the effects of switching from conventional 10-dose measles containing vaccine (MCV) vials to 5-dose MCV vials on coverage and open vial wastage in 14 districts purposely selected from two provinces in Zambia. The districts were paired based on the number of health facilities and the average size of the health facility catchment population. One district from each pair was randomly

SUBMITTER: Krudwig K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7427328 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature