Prevention of Acute Diarrheal Illnesses in At-Risk Areas of Nepal: A Sustainable Approach

To complement efforts in improving water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and health promotion, an Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign was conducted in high-risk villages of Banke district to prevent potential cholera outbreaks. The vaccination campaign was carried out in two rounds:

  • First round: 29th November – 3rd December 2016
  • Second round: 17th December – 21st December 2016 (Mop-up: 4th – 8th January 2017)
Target Population and Vaccine Support

The campaign targeted 28,135 individuals aged one year and above in clusters of villages identified as vulnerable to cholera outbreaks. Rotary International donated 55,000 vaccine doses to the Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal (GoN) to support the implementation of this initiative.

Community Engagement and Data Collection

The campaign was carried out with the active participation of Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) and health workers, ensuring effective community mobilization at vaccination sites. Data was systematically recorded at each site and health facility using:
  • Tally sheets
  • Daily summary sheets
  • Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) reporting forms
Key Outcomes and Acceptance
  • First-round coverage: 25,546 individuals vaccinated (90.79%)
  • Second-round coverage: 26,912 individuals vaccinated (95.65%)
  • Overall two-dose completion rate: 85%
  • Second-dose completion among first-round recipients: 93.95%
No serious AEFIs (Adverse Events Following Immunization) were reported, and the vaccine’s taste did not pose any barrier to community acceptance.

Sustainable Impact

This campaign has laid a strong foundation for future cholera prevention, control, and potential elimination efforts in Nepal. The lessons learned will help inform sustainable strategies for protecting at-risk populations from acute diarrheal illnesses in the long run.

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