Impact of a mass immunization campaign to control an outbreak of severe respiratory infections in Nunavik, northern Canada

Abstract

Objectives: In spring 2002, a mass immunization campaign using a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23-PPV) was launched in order to control an outbreak of severe pneumonia caused by a virulent clone of serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of this campaign on the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and hospitalizations possibly associated with pneumococcal infections (HPAPI) in the mostly Inuit population aged 10 to 64 years.

Study design: Retrospective analysis of surveillance and administrative data.

Methods: Multivariate Poisson model comparing the frequency rates of selected outcomes before the outbreak, during the outbreak, and after implementation of the mass immunization program.

Results: The reported incidence of serotype 1 IPD decreased markedly after the implementation of the vaccination campaign (rate ratio = 0.16; p < 0.002). The frequency of HPAPI and the mean duration of hospital stay also decreased. However, vaccine failures were documented and the HPAPI rate remained higher than in the period prior to the outbreak.

Conclusions: Although 23-PPV contributed to control the outbreak, better vaccines are needed for the prevention of infections caused by serotype 1 S. pneumoniae.