An equity-based assessment of immunization-related responses in urban Alberta during the 2014 measles outbreak: a comparative analysis between Calgary and Edmonton
Abstract
This study investigates measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization rates during the measles outbreak in Calgary and Edmonton of 2014. The measles outbreak of 2013/2014 involved the entirety of Alberta and led to both provincial and city-specific interventions in which Calgary deployed three mass immunization clinics in 2014, where Edmonton did not. The Calgary coverage data showed an increase in coverage inequalities across all indicators and the Edmonton data showed mixed results in terms of equity gains/losses. Calgary’s additive intervention of three mass immunization clinics in 2014 appears to have contributed to both the higher gross immunization rates in Calgary (90.77%) and an inequitable increase in coverage rates as compared with Edmonton (88.96%), in most cases. Public health policy-makers must be cognizant that large-scale public health efforts must be optimized for accessibility across all socio-economic levels to ensure public and population health gains are realized equitably.
Notes
Key populations
NA
Key recommendations
Public health policy-makers must be cognizant that large-scale public health efforts must be accessible to all people across all socio-economic levels
Key findings
The measles outbreak of 2013/2014 involved the entirety of Alberta and led to both provincial and city-specific interventions in which Calgary deployed three mass immunization clinics in 2014, where Edmonton did not. The Calgary coverage data showed an increase in coverage inequalities across all indicators and the Edmonton data showed mixed results in terms of equity gains/losses. Calgary’s additive intervention of three mass immunization clinics in 2014 appears to have contributed to both the higher gross immunization rates in Calgary (90.77%) and an inequitable increase in coverage rates as compared with Edmonton (88.96%), in most cases.
Gaps identified
NA
Community organizations
NA
Location
Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta
Open-access – Yes
https://link.springer.com/article/10.17269/s41997-021-00578-5
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA