Publication Date
Fall 2025
Abstract
Persistent inequities in measles vaccination systems across Sub-Saharan Africa leave millions unreached by both routine services and outbreak campaigns. Microarray patches for measles-rubella vaccination (MR-MAPs) are widely promoted as a solution to logistical and workforce barriers, yet little empirical work examines how their benefits align with real operational constraints. This study analyzes the potential role of MR-MAPs in advancing immunization equity through expert interviews and targeted document analysis. Findings reveal a tension between the technological promise of MR-MAPs and the structural limitations of current health systems. While thermostability, simplified application, and task-shifting opportunities could expand reach among zero-dose, mobile, and remote populations, these gains are constrained by manufacturing shortages, procurement delays, and persistent mistrust in some communities. Health workers and community members generally view MR-MAPs positively, but their introduction will require deliberate communication strategies to avoid misinterpretation of novelty or painless administration. The study concludes that MR-MAPs could improve equitable access only when implemented alongside systemic investments in supply chains, community engagement, and governance. Their value lies not in replacing existing approaches, but in strengthening the adaptability and reach of immunization programs.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Littlefield, Paige, "Beyond the Needle: Microarray Patches and the Pursuit of Measles Vaccination Equity in Sub-Saharan Africa" (2025). Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy. 13.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/szh2/13