What is the Knowledge Hub?
Explore the VoICE Knowledge Hub—a searchable database featuring the latest peer-reviewed research on immunization benefits, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Browse the Knowledge Hub using a variety of different filters to find vaccine evidence based on country, region, topic, or disease. Click on a tag to find more evidence on a specific area, such as the return on investment of vaccines or impacts of infectious disease outbreaks.
Search
Diseases & Vaccines
Country
WHO Regions
Topics
Immunization Terms
Armed conflict can lead to outbreaks of polio
An outbreak of wild polio virus began two years after the onset of the civil war in Syria and subsequently spread to Iraq, causing a total of 38 cases (36 in Syria). Factors leading to the outbreak included a decline in polio surveillance and in polio vaccination coverage (from 83% for 3 doses of oral polio vaccine pre-war in Syria to 47-52%).
Mbaeyi C, Ryan MJ, Smith P et al.. 2017. Response to a large polio outbreak in a setting of conflict- Middle East, 2013-2015. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 66(8).
Investment in disease surveillance in areas of conflict can prevent new outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases
The development and successful implementation of a coordinated, multi-country plan in response to a wild polio outbreak in Syria and Iraq halted the outbreak within 6 months. The response, which involved strengthening acute flaccid paralysis surveillance and more than 70 synchronized mass polio vaccination campaigns in 8 Middle Eastern countries (reaching >27 million children), could serve as a model for responding to disease outbreaks in areas affected by conflict and political instability.
Mbaeyi C, Ryan MJ, Smith P et al.. 2017. Response to a large polio outbreak in a setting of conflict- Middle East, 2013-2015. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 66(8).
Immunization activities in countries of conflict are achieved through global partners support
During the humanitarian crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic, the constant support from WHO, UNICEF, and local NGOs resulted in immunizations against VPDs reaching over 90% of children.
Teleb N. and Hajjej R.. 2017. Vaccine preventable diseases and immunization during humanitarian emergencies: challenges and lessons learned from the Eastern Mediterranean Region. East Mediterr Health J.. 22(11).