http://hdl.handle.net/10144/10950 Wed, 22 May 2013 18:21:27 GMT 2013-05-22T18:21:27Z http://hdl.handle.net/10144/272003 Title: Urban Cholera transmission hotspots and their implications for Reactive Vaccination: evidence from Bissau city, Guinea Bissau Authors: Azman, Andrew S; Luquero, Francisco J; Rodrigues, Amabelia; Palma, Pedro Pablo; Grais, Rebecca F; Banga, Cunhate Na; Grenfell, Bryan T; Lessler, Justin Abstract: Use of cholera vaccines in response to epidemics (reactive vaccination) may provide an effective supplement to traditional control measures. In Haiti, reactive vaccination was considered but, until recently, rejected in part due to limited global supply of vaccine. Using Bissau City, Guinea-Bissau as a case study, we explore neighborhood-level transmission dynamics to understand if, with limited vaccine and likely delays, reactive vaccination can significantly change the course of a cholera epidemic. Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10144/272003 2012-11-08T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10144/279039 Title: Performance of Small Cluster Surveys and the Clustered LQAS Design to estimate Local-level Vaccination Coverage in Mali Authors: Minetti, Andrea; Riera-Montes, Margarita; Nackers, Fabienne; Roederer, Thomas; Koudika, Marie Hortense; Sekkenes, Johanne; Taconet, Aurore; Fermon, Florence; Touré, Albouhary; Grais, Rebecca F; Checchi, Francesco Sun, 12 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10144/279039 2012-08-12T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10144/242373 Title: Outbreak response immunisation: the experience of Chad during recurrent measles epidemics in 2005 and 2010 Authors: Guerrier, G.; Guerra, J.; Fermon, F.; Talkibing, W.B.; Sekkenes, J.; Grais, R.F. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10144/242373 2011-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10144/221031 Title: Avidity of serogroup A meningococcal IgG antibodies after immunization with different doses of a tetravalent A/C/Y/W135 polysaccharide vaccine Authors: Bårnes, G K; Naess, L M; Rosenqvist, E; Guerin, P J; Caugant, D A Abstract: In the absence of an affordable conjugate meningococcal vaccine, mass vaccination campaigns with polysaccharide vaccines are the means to control meningitis epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa. Facing global vaccine shortage, the use of reduced doses, which have been shown to be protective by serum bactericidal activity, can save many lives. In this study, we investigated the antibody responses and avidity of IgG antibodies evoked against the serogroup A capsule of Neisseria meningitidis by different doses of an A/C/Y/W135 polysaccharide vaccine. Volunteers in Uganda were vaccinated with 1/10, 1/5 or a full dose (50 μg) and revaccinated with a full dose after 1 year. Specific IgG geometric mean concentrations and geometric mean avidity indices (GMAI) were determined by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using thiocyanate as a chaotropic agent. After vaccination with 1/10 or 1/5 doses, the GMAI increased from 1 month to 1 year. One year following the initial dose, the GMAI levels were higher in the arm receiving reduced doses than for the arm receiving a full dose. Following the second full dose, avidity indices equalized at approximately the same level in the three arms. Although there are practical challenges to the use of reduced doses in the field, our findings suggest that reduced doses of polysaccharide vaccine are able to elicit antibodies of as good avidity against serogroup A polysaccharide as a full dose. Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10144/221031 2011-06-08T00:00:00Z