The importance of supplementary immunisation activities to prevent measles outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine measles immunisation and supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs) in most countries including Kenya. We assessed the risk of measles outbreaks during the pandemic in Kenya as a case study for the African Region.

Methods

Combining measles serological data, local contact patterns, and vaccination coverage into a cohort model, we predicted the age-adjusted population immunity in Kenya and estimated the probability of outbreaks when contact-reducing COVID-19 interventions are lifted. We considered various scenarios for reduced measles vaccination coverage from April 2020.

Results

In February 2020, when a scheduled SIA was postponed, population immunity was close to the herd immunity threshold and the probability o

SUBMITTER: Mburu CN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7854026 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature