A Model Development for Measles Vaccine Immunization in Risk groups in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop a model for measles vaccination in risk groups of medical and public health students in Nakhon Ratchasima province according to the target of eliminating measles within 2020 using 3 phases of action research. Phase 1 was the development of the model. The samples were consisted of 30 public health officers who were in charge of maintaining the quality of immunization. Phase 2 was the implementation of the research model and tools developed in phase 1 by pre-vaccination screenings for measles. The samples were consisted of 450 first-year students studying at educational institutions or universities in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Phase 3 was the assessment of the measles immunization coverage. The results from the online surveys and screening of target groups for measles immunization showed that the vast majority (97.7%) of students agreed to receive vaccination. About 3.3% disagreed to get vaccination due to the fact that had already received 2 doses of vaccine (66.7%) or had just recovered from acute illnesses fewer than 7 days (33.3%). The results of the model development for measles vaccination in risk groups showed that it could cover measles vaccination among risk groups who were the first-year students from medical and public health programs in Nakhon Ratchasima province for 98.8%. The percentage was sufficient to develop herd immunity in the target groups because the coverage of measles vaccination was greater than or equal to 95%. Therefore, it could prevent measles outbreak among the medical and public health students as well as prevent measles infection in hospitals. The results obtained from this research can be further utilized in planning, designing the system, and developing the immunization with other types of vaccines in the target groups.