A serological evaluation of an immunization programme in Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands

ABSTRACT

A serological survey in Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies, suggested that immunization against poliomyelitis carried out since 1971 had been unexpectedly ineffective. Immunity as judged by antitoxin levels was satisfactory for tetanus but poor for diptheria. The value of serological studies in the evaluation of immunization programmes is demonstrated. Effective evaluation of a vaccination programme must involve accurate vaccination records and continuous surveillance of disease incidence, cold chain adequacy, and vaccine delivery to susceptible groups (AU)