CDC Earthquakes | Diphtheria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

Diphtheria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action

Key recommendations
Prevention

•Support implementation of a post-disaster vaccination plan to increase population immunity, including:
◦Vaccination of children aged 6 weeks-8 months with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP);
◦Vaccination of children aged 9 months-6 years (likely in conjunction with DTP and measles-rubella vaccine (MR) and provision of vitamin A);
◦Vaccination of children ≥7 years, adolescents, and adults with tetanus-diphtheria vaccine (Td);
◦Vaccination first in temporary settlements and then other affected areas when the situation has stabilized.

•Conduct outreach to clinical facilities to refresh management guidelines for close contacts of diphtheria cases:
◦Vaccinate with the age-appropriate diphtheria vaccine if not up-to-date with vaccination;
◦Provide chemoprophylaxis to close contacts of diphtheria cases with a 10-day course of erythromycin or a single injection of penicillin G benzathine.1
•Make diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) readily available in Haiti for treatment of disease.

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CDC Earthquakes | Diphtheria: Haiti Pre-decision Brief for Public Health Action