D.C. National Immunization Days or NIDS were shown to be effective in delivering vitamin A and possibly other micronutrients to high-risk populations on a national scale. Participants were urged to organize alternative Micronutrient or Health Days to compensate when NIDS is no longer used because of polio eradication. Concern that vitamin A supplementation interferes with the effectiveness of vaccines is unfounded, the speakers agreed. Vitamin A supplementation does not increase HIV load in infected women and children. Although vitamin A supplementation of HIV- positive women does not prevent transmission of the virus to their infants, vitamin A should be retained as part of standard prevention protocols for pregnant women and their infants because of the resulting improvements in immunocompetence and reduced severity of diarrhea.
Dietary strategies remain an important tool.
Participants raised concern that current economic crises compromise progress made toward eliminating vitamin A deficiency. Data from South Africa, Peru, the Philippines and Indonesia, however, reinforced the cost effectiveness of vitamin A strategies. Additional financial support was provided by Task Force Sight and Life and the food industry in South Africa.