Administrative coverage data are commonly used to assess coverage of mass vaccination campaigns. These estimates are obtained by dividing the number of doses administered by the number of children of eligible age, usually at the health district level. This study used data from a cluster survey conducted in each of the 53 Burkina Faso health districts immediately after 1999 the National Immunization Days to assess whether administrative estimates correlated with those obtained through survey and whether the former identified districts that achieved suboptimal coverage as measured by cluster survey. During the first round of the campaign there was no significant correlation between data obtained by either method. The correlation was only marginally better during the second round. Although useful to help plan the logistics of a campaign, administrative coverage data should be used with other evaluation techniques in order to determine the number of eligible children vaccinated during a mass campaign.

Migration of children between Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso played a major role in the failure of the SIA to interrupt measles transmission. Synchronization of measles control activities should be a high priority in countries with regions where much migration occurs.

Madagascar's immunization program faces serious challenges and those affected most are the poorest populations. Major inequities in immunization were found at the subnational level and were mainly geographic in nature. Approaches to improve immunization systems need to be equitable. This may include the replacement of supply chain equipment with those powered by sustainable energy sources, monitoring its functionality at health facility level and vaccination services in all communities.

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