The Open Vaccine Journal

2009, 2 : 77-84
Published online 2009 June 23. DOI: 10.2174/1875035401002010077
Publisher ID: TOVACJ-2-77

The Trend of Mandatory Vaccination among Children in Egypt

Amal Saad , Ashwak Safi-El-Dine and Karima AI El-Sham
Department of Environmental & Occupational Medicine, National Research Center, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Increase of immunization coverage rate is the most effective method for decreasing the burden of childhood vaccine-preventable diseases. The objective of this work was to present an up-to-date review of the efficacy and the trend of mandatory vaccination regimens among children in Egypt, and its efficacy in decreasing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases among children under 5 years in Egypt during the period 1995-2005. The sources of data depend on the bibliographic review on MEDLINE, published studies and reports, and WHO and EMRO databases that covered the period from 1995 to 2005. Statistic analysis of the available data revealed that the coverage rate of the existing vaccination program in Egypt has greatly expanded over years and is significantly associated with a swift reduction in the burden of the vaccine-preventable childhood diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, neonatal tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, and hepatitis B). Varicella vaccine is strongly recommended to be added to the mandatory vaccination of children in Egypt.

Keywords:

Egypt, Children, Time trend, Mandatory vaccination coverage, Childhood illness.