Ghana and Zambia : Achieving Equity in the Distribution of Insecticide-Treated Bednets through Links with Measles Vaccination Campaigns

Abstract

This discussion paper makes an in depth analysis of the integration of the delivery of insecticide-treated nets (ITN) with vaccination campaigns for measles and malaria control in Africa. In populations where measles vaccination campaigns are conducted, malaria is frequently the greatest health risk to children, particularly after the campaign reduces measles mortality. If each child vaccinated against measles during a campaign also received an ITN, ITN coverage will increase rapidly and equitably. The potential benefits of this approach have prompted recent global policy changes to encourage increased integration of ITN delivery and vaccination (WHO-UNICEF 2004). However, linking ITN distribution with measles vaccination presents many operational challenges. The findings from these Phase I and II studies suggest that integrating ITN distribution into vaccination campaigns can achieve higher and more equitable ITN coverage than other delivery strategies at a lower cost to both providers and consumers. Linking ITNs to measles campaigns presents an important opportunity for reaching malaria control goals and merits larger scale implementation and evaluation.