Evaluating the effectiveness of the rubella vaccination program in Lesotho using measels and rubella case-based surveillance data

Abstract

Rubella is one of the leading causes of birth defects globally and is preventable by vaccination. In this study, the purpose was to evaluate the effect of the introduction of a Rubella Containing Vaccine (RCV) on the occurrence of rubella in Lesotho. The study used a cross-sectional quantitative design. The study population was all rubella IgM results of blood samples collected using the integrated measles and rubella case-based surveillance system from January 2018 to December 2022. All samples that were submitted for purposes of surveillance and tested for rubella were considered but only filtered according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. This study reports on 1% (95% CI; 0,5% -1.8%) prevalence of rubella in Lesotho. From the study results, it is recommended that Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) are conducted to address rubella immunization gaps and that rubella surveillance is improved so that rubella prevalence can be better estimated and the effect of rubella vaccination on rubella disease burden in Lesotho can be better understood.

Kokoana-hloko ea rubella, e ka thibeloang ka ente, e baloa hara mafu a etelletseng pele a bakang bokoa ba tsoalo lefatse ka bophara. Sepheo sa phuputso ena e ne e le ho hlahloba kamo ea ho tlisoa ha ente ea rubella boteng ba rubella Lesotho. Ho ile ha sebelisoa mokhoa phuputso oa boithuto ba bongata bo fapaneng. Palo ea batho ba ithutoang e ne e le liphetho tsohle tsa rubella IgM tsa lisampole tsa mali tse bokelelitsoeng ka mokhoa o kopantsoeng oa ho fuputsa ’maselese le rubella e entsoeng ka Pherekhong 2018 ho ea ho Ts’itoe 2022. Lipalo-palo tse hlalosang li ne li sebelisetsoa ho hlahloba datha. Boithuto bona bo tlaleha ka 1% (95% CI; 0,5% -1.8%) ea ho ata ha rubella Lesotho. Ho ipapisitsoe le liphetho tsa phuputso, ho khothaletsoa hore lets’olo la liente le etsoe ho koala likheo tsa kentelo ea rubella le hore tlhahlobo ea rubella e ntlafatsoe ho lumella tekanyetso e nepahetseng ea ho ata ha rubella le tlhahlobo ea kamo ea ente ho lefu la rubella Lesotho.