Inclusivity in global research.

Although Mauritania carried out its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), in 2015 the goal of vaccination coverage (VC) remained unmet in Bassikounou district and Mbera camp, contexts with large migrant populations. In response, during 2018, the national authorities, together with Médecins Sans Frontières organised two rounds of multi-antigenic mass vaccination campaigns (2RMASVC). The campaigns included oral polio (OPV), pneumococcal (PCV13), pentavalent and rotavirus vaccines for all eligible children six weeks to 59 months old. This study describes the results of the 2RMASVC. Cross-sectional household VC surveys (VCS1 and VCS2) were conducted before and after the 2RMASVC. Data were collected on vaccination status according to self-reporting and vaccination cards, and on reasons for non-vaccination (RNV). In total, 4,569 children received at least one dose of vaccine in the first round and 5,602 children in the second. Baseline VC, as fully vaccinated, according to VCS1, was 59.9% of children 12 to 59 months in Bassikounou district and 65.8% in Mbera camp. After the 2RMASVC, the coverages increased to 84.7% and 75.9% respectively. Absence from home, lack of motivation, late initiation of vaccinations and lack of awareness about vaccination were the main RNV during the 2RMASVC. Although the 2RMASVC did not reach its goal of 90%-95% VC, the strategy significantly increased VC in the two settings for children aged 12 to 59 months. Therefore, this catch-up approach could be considered to improve VC of children who miss out of the EPI strategy in resource-limited settings.</div

Reasons for non-vaccination for the proposed vaccines among children aged six weeks to 59 months in Bassikounou district reported in VCS2, Mauritania 2018.

Each children’s caregiver gave one reason for non-vaccination per dose of vaccine not received. In total 43 children gave 11 reasons for non-vaccination and 99 gave between 1 and 10 reasons for non- vaccination.</p

Reasons for non-vaccination for the proposed vaccines among children aged six weeks to 59 months in Mbera camp, reported in VCS2, Mauritania 2018.

Each children’s caregiver gave one reason for non-vaccination per dose of vaccine not received. In total 44 children gave between 11 reasons for non-vaccination and 135 gave between 1 and 10 reasons for non- vaccination. Reasons for non-vaccination for seven children were not available for this analysis.</p

Reasons for non-vaccination for the proposed vaccines among children aged six weeks to 59 months in Mbera camp reported in VCS1, Mauritania 2018.

Each children’s caregiver gave one reason for non-vaccination per dose of vaccine not received. In total 114 children gave 11 reasons for non-vaccination and 197 gave between 1 and 10 reasons for non-vaccination. (TIFF)</p

Vaccination coverage for vaccination coverage survey 1 (VCS1) and VCS2 in Bassikounou district and Mbera camp among children six weeks to 59 months based on vaccination cards, Mauritania 2018.

Vaccination coverage for vaccination coverage survey 1 (VCS1) and VCS2 in Bassikounou district and Mbera camp among children six weeks to 59 months based on vaccination cards, Mauritania 2018.</p

Comparison of VC by vaccine and dose in Bassikounou district and Mbera camp by VCS1 and VCS2, children aged 12 to 59 months, Mauritania 2018.

Comparison of VC by vaccine and dose in Bassikounou district and Mbera camp by VCS1 and VCS2, children aged 12 to 59 months, Mauritania 2018.</p

Reasons for non-vaccination for the proposed vaccines among children aged six weeks to 59 months in Bassikounou district reported in VCS1, Mauritania 2018.

Each children’s caregiver gave one reason for non-vaccination per dose of vaccine not received. In total 115 children gave 11 reasons for non-vaccination and 267 gave between 1 and 10 reasons for non-vaccination. (TIFF)</p

Vaccination status questionnaire.

Standardized questionnaire to obtain vaccination status by vaccine and doses among children aged six weeks to 59 months in Bassikounou district and Mbera camp, Mauritania 2018. (XLSX)</p

Children aged 12 to 59 months eligible for vaccination during 2RMASVC.

Children aged 12 to 59 months eligible for vaccination during 2RMASVC.</p

Reasons for non-vaccination questionnaire.

Standardized questionnaire to collect the reasons for non-vaccination by vaccine and doses. (XLSX)</p