Issaka Tiembre*, Christiane Djoman, Amani Yao Me Raphael, Tetchi Sopi Malthide, Anon-NobouAcho Albertine, Joseph Benié Bi
Introduction: Rabies is a deadly zoonosis in the absence of proper management. Children under 15 years of age are paying the highest burden. Pre-exposure vaccination is therefore imperative to protect this population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of preventive pre-exposure vaccination against human rabies in primary schools in four health districts in Côte d'Ivoire.
Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in November 2022. It was based on the database and activity reports from the rabies vaccination campaign for students from January 1 to February 28, 2016. A total of 751 students’ records were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi info software version 3.5.4.
Results: The sensibilization sessions proved to be effective and efficient as they permitted to vaccinate 751 students against rabies. The vaccination was done according to the intramuscular protocol of 03 doses (D0, D7, D21). Children aged 6-14 years were the most representative (89.6%). The vaccine compliance rate for this campaign was 76.43%. The cost of the vaccines was covered 96% by the National Institute of Public Hygiene (NIPH) and 4% by the parents.
Conclusion: These results encourage both the feasibility and the continuation of such an activity for the protection of children in a country that is struggling to eliminate dog rabies. Its implementation and sustainability at the national level requires collaboration between all actors in this sector for the well-being of children.