Zero dose immunization among children aged 12–59 months in Somaliland using 2020 SDHS data

Measurements of the minimum scattering yield Xmln and the half-angle for channelling 1fI~ have been made for crystals of LiF, NaF, NaC! and KCI at very small total doses of H+ and 4He+ ions. The measured values of 1fI~ are in good agreement with theory. Comparison of the results for Xmln as a function of depth, with theories based on a linear increase of the mean square beam divergence Q2, shows that for the alkali halides studied the initial beam divergence Q o on entering the crystal is proportional to 1f11> the Lindhard characteristic channelling angle.

Background Routine Immunisation (RI) is critical in mitigating child morbidity and mortality while preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in considerable disruptions, which have given rise to an unprecedented number of zero-dose (ZD) infants. It has presented formidable obstacles for healthcare systems on an international scale. Methods The study employed a retrospective analysis of data obtained from thirteen Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAs) that were carried out from 2019 to 2021 to investigate the fluctuations in the documented number of children with ZD. Health authority stakeholder interviews yielded valuable insights about vaccination strategies and obstacles. Results An enormous increase in the number of documented ZD minors were identified during the study period. The number of documented ZD minors rose from 3,827 in 2019 to 4,271 in 2020, and then again to 9,620 in 2021. Notwithstanding diligent attempts to immunise ZD children, the vaccination rate persisted at a less-than-ideal 81.24% of documented ZD children in 2021. Conclusions As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-existing obstacles to accessing ZD infants in Islamabad were further intensified. The lessons learned emphasise the significance of community engagement, improved outreach strategies, and fortified healthcare infrastructure in guaranteeing comprehensive immunisation coverage. It is imperative to confront these challenges to reduce the likelihood of subsequent epidemics and protect children’s health. Key messages • The spread of COVID-19 among ZD neonates in Islamabad accelerated, prompting calls for improved vaccination programmes. • The suboptimal ZD vaccination rate in 2021, despite concerted efforts, underscores the criticality for enhanced strategies.

Aim of a low radon cleanroom technology is to minimize at the same time radon, radon decay products concentration and aerosol concentration and to minimize deposition of radon decay products on the surfaces. The technology placed in a deep underground laboratory such as LSM Modane with suppressed muon flux and shielded against external gamma radiation and neutrons provides “Zero dose” space for basic research in radiobiology (validity of the LNT hypothesis for very low doses) and for the fabrication of nanoelectronic circuits to avoid undesirable “single event effects.” Two prototypes of a low radon cleanroom were built with the aim to achieve radon concentration lower than 100 mBq·m3 in an interior space where only radon-free air is delivered into the cleanroom technology from a radon trapping facility. The first prototype, built in the laboratory of SÚRO Prague, is equipped with a standard filter-ventilation system on the top of the cleanroom with improved leakproofness. In an experiment, radon concentration of some 50 mBq·m−3 was achieved with the filter-ventilation system switched out. However, it was not possible to seal the system of pipes and fans against negative-pressure air leakage into the cleanroom during a high volume ventilation with the rate of 3,500 m3·h−1. From that reason more sophisticated second prototype of the cleanroom designed in the LSM Modane uses the filter-ventilation system which is completely covered in a further improved leakproof sealed metal box placed on the top of the cleanroom. Preliminary experiments carried out in the SÚRO cleanroom with a high radon activity injection and intensive filter-ventilation (corresponding to room filtration rate every 13 s) showed extremely low radon decay products equilibrium factor of 0.002, the majority of activity being in the form of an “unattached fraction” (nanoparticles) of 218Po and a surface deposition rate of some 0.05 mBq·m−2·s−1 per Bq·m−3. Radon exhalation from persons may affect the radon concentration in a low radon interior space. Balance and time course of the radon exhalation from the human body is therefore discussed for persons that are about to enter the cleanroom.

Introduction: measles is the leading cause of vaccine preventable deaths among children. Globally there were 134,200 measles death in 2015. Vaccination resulted in a 79% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2015 (WHO 2015). In Nigeria, there were 11,856 confirmed; 104 deaths (CFR, 0.41%), 9-59 months were most affected. 62.1% zero dose (NCDC week 52 epidemiological report 2016). Measles is targeted for elimination and under case based surveillance with laboratory confirmation. We described the surveillance data and assessed the surveillance performance according to measles surveillance indicators.

Analysis of global routine immunisation coverage shows disruption and stagnation during the first two-years of the COVID-19 pandemic with tentative recovery in 2022

Complete Basic Immunization (CBI) coverage refers to the percentage of children who have received all scheduled basic immunizations according to the national program, usually before 12 months of age. Cumulative CBI coverage in Jember Regency as of July 2025 remains low, reaching only 39.76% of the target. This study aimed to analyze the low CBI coverage and the high proportion of Zero Dose (ZD) children as key determinants of Extraordinary Events (Outbreaks) of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) in Jember Regency, and to evaluate the effectiveness of catch-up immunization interventions. A descriptive-analytical approach was employed using secondary immunization program data from Jember Regency between January 2024 and July/August 2025, obtained from the local Health Office. Epidemiological analysis revealed suspected and confirmed cases of diphtheria and measles-rubella (MR), including the declaration of a measles outbreak in seven community health centers (Puskesmas) in 2025. Low coverage was influenced by a complex set of risk factors, including vaccine hesitancy among families and structural challenges. Catch-up immunization was a critical strategy to close immunity gaps, with 1,129 children immunized with DPT-HB Hib as of August 2024, from a target population of 3,464. These findings highlight the need for integrated interventions targeting the root causes of vaccine hesitancy, improving tracking of migrant children, and optimizing cross-sectoral collaboration to achieve herd immunity and the elimination of VPDs.

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background:</bold> Despite the proven role of childhood immunization in reducing mortality, global coverage targets remain unmet. Zero-dose (ZD) children—those who have not received any dose of the DTP vaccine—remain a critical challenge. Mozambique is among the countries with the lowest vaccination coverage, with full immunization declining from 66% in 2015 to 38% in 2022–2023. This study aims to determine the levels and trends of ZD prevalence in Mozambique. <bold>Methods:</bold> We analyzed data from three nationally representative surveys—DHS 2011, IMASIDA 2015, and DHS 2022/23—focusing on children aged 12–23 and 24–35 months. The analysis examined trends in ZD prevalence across provinces and explored disparities by urban-rural residence, wealth index, and maternal education. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using log-binomial regression. <bold>Results:</bold> ZD prevalence increased from 5.4% to 14.3% (2015–2022) among children aged 12–23 months and 6.4% to 16.0% among those aged 24–35 months. Key risk factors included rural residence (PR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.29–0.88 for urban compared to rural), maternal illiteracy (PR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61–0.92 for primary education vs. illiteracy), and non-institutional delivery (PR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.13–0.30 for institutional delivery vs. home birth). The gap in ZD prevalence between the poorest and wealthiest households grew from 11.3 to 26.3 percentage points, and the urban- rural gap grew from 3.9 to 15.3 points. In 2022, children of mothers with no education had a 22.8% ZD prevalence versus 5.4% among those with secondary or higher education. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The rising ZD prevalence and widening inequalities underscore the urgent need for targeted, equity-focused interventions. Strengthening health systems to reduce these inequities and improve routine immunization services is essential for improving child health outcomes in Mozambique.

In Chap. 2, we used isotonic regression to estimate the order- restricted means. Chapter 3 is devoted to order-restricted inference in a dose-response setting. We formulate the null hypothesis and the ordered alternatives and we discuss the test statistics proposed by Williams (Biometrics 27:103–117, 1971; Biometrics 28:519–531, 1972) and Marcus (Biometrika 63:177–83, 1976); both are “t-test”-type test statistics that can be used to compare each nonzero dose level to the zero dose (i.e., the control) under order constraints. In the last part of the chapter we discuss the likelihood ratio test (Barlow et al., Statistical inference under order restriction. Wiley, New York, 1972; Robertson et al., Order restricted statistical inference. Wiley, New York, 1988).

Investigating luminescence signals of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements for emergency dosimetry

The effect of gamma radiation dose on certain properties of wool treated in either greasy or scoured form in mini-bales was investigated. Specific properties studied include color (yellowness and brightness), solubility (alkali solubility and urea-bisulfite solubility), fiber diameter and tensile properties (staple strength and bundle tenacity). The irradiation of the wool was performed in a commercial Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation facility to emulate practical irradiation conditions. It was found that gamma radiation dosages of up to ≈ 90 kGy did not significantly affect the fiber physical dimensions, namely fiber diameter and staple length. Alkali and urea-bisulfite solubility as well as yellowness and brightness, on the other hand, showed a systematic, almost linear, change with an increase in radiation dose. For a dose of ≈ 100 kGy, yellowness increased by ≈ 4.5 (Y-Z) units, brightness decreased by ≈ 7.5 Y units and alkali and urea-bisulfite solubility increased by ≈ 14% (absolute) above their zero dose values.

Background: Immunization plays an important role in reducing morbidity and mortality in children. Despite all the efforts put in by government for 100% immunization coverage, it was only 53.1% in District Sirmaur among children aged 12-23 months as per District level Health Survey -4. The objectives were to assess the primary immunization coverage among children in District Sirmaur of Himachal Pradesh as compared to NFHS-3 and DLHS-4. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in District Sirmaur using the World Health Organization's 30 X 7 cluster sampling method for evaluation of immunization coverage during the period October 2015- January 2016. Results: A total of 210 children aged 12-23 months were covered for the evaluation, of which 95.20% of the children were fully immunized. However, immunization card was available with 77.14% of them. Zero dose of OPV was given to only 47.62% children and BCG scar was present in 82.38% of the study participants. The most common cause for partial immunization was being ‘unaware of need for immunization. Conclusions: Majority of the children ages 12-23 months were fully immunized. The key to further improvement is to monitor drop out at any stage of vaccination before completion of full course of immunization.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a potentially life threatening liver infection. It is a major global public health problem and known to cause chronic hepatitis with high risk of mortality resulting from hepatic cirrhosis and cancer. Objective: The study aimed to assess mother’s awareness about zero dose of Hepatitis B vaccination for their new born baby at birth. Study Design: A descriptive research design was used in this study to meet the aim of the study. Setting: The present study was conducted at Maternal and Child Health Center in ElQanater, Qaluia Governorate. The study involved 224 mother’s attending the previous setting in child bearing period, infected or free from hepatitis B infection through two days per week Tools for data collection: Two tools were used to collect the necessary data: Tool I: An interviewing Questionnaire included the following parts; Part 1 : Socio- demographic data of the studied mother. Part 2: Mother's knowledge assessment questionnaire the mother’s knowledge about (a) Hepatitis B virus infections, (b) zero dose of Hepatitis B, mothers practices regarding vaccinated against hepatitis. Part 3: Mothers practices regarding screening for Hepatitis B during antenatal period, Tool II: Vaccination examination attitude scale of studied mothers. Results: Based on the results and research question of the present study it can be concluded that; more than half of the studied mothers had average level of knowledge about zero doses vaccination and hepatitis B infection, more than one third of them had good knowledge. While, less than quarter of them had poor level of knowledge. Also, it was found that there was more than half of the studied mothers had negative attitude regarding zero dose of hepatitis B virus vaccination. While, less than half of them had positive attitude. Conclusion: The study showed that, there was highly significant positive correlation between total mother`s knowledge about zero dose of hepatitis B virus infections and their practice. While there was significant positive correlation between total mother`s knowledge and their attitude. Also there was significant positive correlation between total mother`s practice and their attitude. Recommendation: Emphasizes the need to enhance the public health education efforts to improve hepatitis B knowledge among women in reproductive age. Increase awareness regard the benefits of hepatitis B vaccine, concerns about vaccine safety for newborn were prevalent.