Joint WHO/UNICEF statement for typhoid vaccine use in tsunami-affected areas
Issues to be considered for vaccine use
Population at risk
- Displaced population living in settlements/camps
- With limited access to safe water and proper sanitation
- Location endemic for typhoid fever
- With limited health infrastructure
- Community leaders ensuring involvement of community
- Access to the population at risk possible (individuals >2 years of age)
Surveillance
- Data on occurrence of typhoid fever
Vaccine
- Choice of vaccine will depend on the occurrence of typhoid fever
- Timing of vaccination either pre-emptive (environmental management in the population not satisfactory and outbreak expected in the near future) or reactive (at the early stages of an outbreak to limit its spread)
- Sufficient doses available for total population at risk in given area
- Case-by-case decision, as none of the vaccines are prequalified by WHO
Logistics
- Cold chain facility and storage capacity available
Human resources
- Health care staff (e.g. Ministry of Health, nongovernmental organization, …)
- Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)/Polio vaccination teams
- Community
Prevention
- Capacity to implement health education during campaign
- Environmental management activities should continue
Political commitment
- Agreement to import/licence vaccine from country considered
- Support and commitment from national/regional and local levels
- Support and commitment from community leaders and other groups