Tetanus seroprotection among children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2013-2014.
Alvan ChengAngie Ghanem-UzquedaNicole A HoffHayley R AshbaughReena H DoshiPatrick Mukadi KakoniRoger BuddStephen G HigginsChristina RandallSue GerberMichel KabambaGuilluame Ngoie MwambaEmile Okitolonda-WemakoyJean Jacques Muyembe-TanfumAnne W RimoinPublished in: PloS one (2022)
Our findings in this nationally representative sample indicate that serology biomarkers may help identify children who are not fully immunized to tetanus more accurately than reported vaccination. While children may be captured for routine immunization activities, as children age, decreasing seroprevalence may indicate additional need to bolster routine vaccination activities and documentation of vaccination in school aged children. Additionally, the study highlights gaps in rural residential areas and vaccination coverage based on maternal education, indicating that policies targeting maternal education and awareness could improve the coverage and seroprevalence of tetanus antibodies in the DRC.