These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Vaccination commando: Burkina Faso.
    Journal: Salubritas; 1985; 8(4):1. PubMed ID: 12340574.
    Abstract:
    Over 1 million children were vaccinated against measles, yellow fever, and meningitis during a 3-week nationwide campaign in Burkina Faso. Infant and child coverage for these diseases in creased from 19% to 77% as a result. The success of this campaign is attributed to 2 factors: 1) mobilization of medical personnel and the population, and 2) mass communication and intensive education. The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) had been in place since 1980, but suffered from a lack of vaccines and transport for teams and consequent demoralization on the part of immunizer personnel. Vaccine Commando was designed to accelerate the lagging EPI program, enabling a catch up in vaccination coverage and reinforcement of the ongoing program. Refresher courses for immunizers were held at provincila health centers. In addition, mass communication was used to motivate, educate, and mobilize the population. The strategy adopted was based on local person-to-person contact. Other activities included posters, educational leaflets, a special song, contests, and a traveling theater group. Key to the success of the local communication strategy were the Committees for Defense of the Revolution, which held meetings to explain the benefits of immunization to parents. Vaccination committees composed of other community members were also set up at all levels of government to increase communication and awareness. As a result of these efforts, people are more aware of the benefits of health care and immunization and have begun to demand expanded services from health clinics.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]