The impact of new vaccine introduction on the coverage of existing vaccines: A cross-national,multivariable analysis

Background

A surge of new and underutilized vaccine introductions into national immunization programmes has called into question the effect of new vaccine introduction on immunization and health systems. In particular, countries deciding whether to introduce a new or underutilized vaccine into their routine immunization programme may query possible effects on the delivery and coverage of existing vaccines. Using coverage of diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTP) vaccine as a proxy for immunization system performance, this study aims to test whether new vaccine introduction into national immunization programs was associated with changes in coverage of three doses of DTP vaccine among infants.

Methods and findings

DTP3 vaccine coverage was analyzed in 187 countries during 1999–2009 using multivariable cross-national mixed-effect longitudinal models. Controlling for other possible determinants of DTP3 coverage at the national level these models found minimal association between the introduction of Hepatitis-, Haemophilus influenzae type b-, and rotavirus-containing vaccines and DTP3 coverage. Instead, frequent and sometimes large fluctuations in coverage are associated with other development and health systems variables, including the presence of armed conflict, coverage of antenatal care services, infant mortality, the percent of health expenditures that are private and total health expenditures per capita.

Conclusions

Introductions of new vaccines did not affect national coverage of DTP3 vaccine in the countries studied. Introductions of other new vaccines and multiple vaccine introductions should be monitored for immunization and health systems impacts.     

长沙市农村地区1～6岁留守儿童接种率调查及策略探讨

目的 了解长沙市农村地区适龄留守儿童扩大国家免疫规划(National Immunization Program,NIP)疫苗接种率现状.方法 采取多阶段随机抽样的方法,随机抽取20个乡镇(5个/区县)120个行政村1～6岁留守儿童,共入户调查留守儿童1 027名,非留守儿童1 150名.结果 适龄留守儿童卡介苗(bacilli calmette-guerin vaccine,BCG)、3剂乙肝疫苗(hepatitis B vaccine,HepB3)、3剂脊髓灰质炎减毒活疫苗(oral poliomyelitis attenuated live vaccine,OPV3)、第4剂OPV(OPV4)、3剂次百白破疫苗(diphtheria,tetanus and pertussis combined vaccine,DTP3)、第4剂DTP(DTP4)、第1剂含麻疹疫苗(measles-containing vaccine,MCV1)、第2剂MCV(MCV2)、第1剂乙脑疫苗(japanese encephalitis vaccine,JEV1)、第2剂乙脑疫苗(JEV2)、第1剂A群流脑疫苗(group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine,MPV-A1)、第2剂A群流脑疫苗(MPV-A2)、第1剂A+C群流脑疫苗(group A and C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine,MPV-AC1)、甲肝疫苗(hepatitis A vaccine,HepA)的接种率分别为99.5％、98.3％、99.1％、62.4％、98.7％、86.2％、97.6％、91.7％、93.5％、71.2％、98.2％、83.0％、48.0％和81.5％;留守儿童MCV1、MCV2、OPV4、DTP4、JEV1、JEV2、MPV-A2及MPV-AC1接种率均低于非留守组儿童且差异有统计学意义(x2值分别为5.38,7.66,4.41,4.77,4.21,10.87,4.93,5.04,均有P＜0.05).结论 长沙市农村地区适龄留守儿童基础免疫接种率大部分达国家要求,但加强免疫接种率相对较低,且均低于非留守组儿童,需采取针对性措施,提高接种率,降低农村留守儿童疫苗可预防传染病的发病率.     

2017-2021年中国肠道病毒71型灭活疫苗接种现状分析

目的了解2017-2021年中国肠道病毒71型(EV71)灭活疫苗接种现状, 为制定手足口病防控和免疫策略提供参考。方法利用中国免疫规划信息管理系统收集的EV71灭活疫苗报告接种剂次数和出生人口数据估算2012年以来各出生队列截至2021年底的全国、分省和分地市EV71灭活疫苗累计接种率, 并分析与接种率水平相关的潜在影响因素。结果截至2021年, 全国2012年以来出生队列EV71灭活疫苗估算累计接种率为24.96%, 各省份估算接种率为3.09%～56.59%, 各地市估算接种率为0～88.17%。不同地区疫苗接种率与该地区既往手足口病报告发病水平和人均可支配收入的相关性均有统计学意义。结论 2017年以来EV71灭活疫苗在全国范围内应用广泛, 但地区间疫苗接种覆盖情况差异较大, 经济相对发达地区接种率较高, 既往疾病流行强度可能对疫苗的接受度和接种服务模式产生一定影响。EV71灭活疫苗接种对手足口病流行的影响还需进一步研究。     

Successful introduction of an underutilized elderly pneumococcal vaccine in a national immunization program by integrating the pre-existing public health infrastructure

BackgroundAlthough pneumococcal vaccines had been recommended for the elderly population in South Korea for a considerable period of time, the coverage has been well below the optimal level. To increase the vaccination rate with integrating the pre-existing public health infrastructure and governmental funding, the Korean government introduced an elderly pneumococcal vaccination into the national immunization program with a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in May 2013.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the performance of the program in increasing the vaccine coverage rate and maintaining stable vaccine supply and safe vaccination during the 20 months of the program.MethodsWe qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the process of introducing and the outcomes of the program in terms of the systematic organization, efficiency, and stability at the national level.ResultsA staggered introduction during the first year utilizing the public sector, with a target coverage of 60%, was implemented based on the public demand for an elderly pneumococcal vaccination, vaccine supply capacity, vaccine delivery capacity, safety, and sustainability. During the 20-month program period, the pneumococcal vaccine coverage rate among the population aged ≥65 years increased from 5.0% to 57.3% without a noticeable vaccine shortage or safety issues. A web-based integrated immunization information system, which includes the immunization registry, vaccine supply chain management, and surveillance of adverse events following immunization, reduced programmatic errors and harmonized the overall performance of the program.ConclusionIntroduction of an elderly pneumococcal vaccination in the national immunization program based on strong government commitment, meticulous preparation, financial support, and the pre-existing public health infrastructure resulted in an efficient, stable, and sustainable increase in vaccination coverage.     

Pakistan's expanded programme on immunization: An overview in the context of polio eradication and strategies for improving coverage

Since its inception in 1978, Pakistan's Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has contributed significantly towards child health and survival in Pakistan. However, the WHO-estimated immunization coverage of 88% for 3 doses of Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertussis vaccine in Pakistan is likely an over-estimate. Many goals, such as polio, measles and neonatal tetanus elimination have not been met. Pakistan reported more cases of poliomyelits in 2011 than any other country globally, threatening the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Although the number of polio cases decreased to 58 in 2012 through better organized supplementary immunization campaigns, country-wide measles outbreaks with over 15,000 cases and several hundred deaths in 2012–13 underscore sub-optimal EPI performance in delivering routine immunizations. There are striking inequities in immunization coverage between different parts of the country. Barriers to universal immunization coverage include programmatic dysfunction at lower tiers of the program, socioeconomic inequities in access to services, low population demand, poor security, and social resistance to vaccines among population sub-groups. Recent conflicts and large-scale natural disasters have severely stressed the already constrained resources of the national EPI. Immunization programs remain low priority for provincial and many district governments in the country. The recent decision to devolve the national health ministry to the provinces has had immediate adverse consequences. Mitigation strategies aimed at rapidly improving routine immunization coverage should include improving the infrastructure and management capacity for vaccine delivery at district levels and increasing the demand for vaccines at the population level. Accurate vaccine coverage estimates at district/sub-district level and local accountability of district government officials are critical to improving performance and eradicating polio in Pakistan.     

Immunization Coverage in Migrant School Children Along the Thailand-Myanmar Border

The objective of this project was to document and increase vaccine coverage in migrant school children on the Thailand-Myanmar border. Migrant school children (n = 12,277) were enrolled in a school-based immunization program in four Thai border districts. The children were evaluated for vaccination completion and timing, for six different vaccines: Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG); Oral Polio vaccine (OPV); Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB); Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus vaccine (DTP); Measles Containing Vaccine or Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR); Tetanus and Diphtheria containing vaccine (Td). Vaccine coverage proportions for BCG, OPV3, DTP3, HepB3 and measles containing vaccine were 92.3, 85.3, 63.8, 72.2, and 90.9 % respectively. Most children were able to receive vaccines in a time appropriate manner. School-based immunization programs offer a suitable vaccine delivery mechanism for hard-to-reach populations. However, these data suggest overall low vaccine coverage in migrant populations. Further efforts toward improving appropriate vaccine coverage and methods of retaining documentation of vaccination in mobile migrant populations are necessary for improved health.     

2009年瑞金市儿童扩大国家免疫规划疫苗接种率调查

[目的]了解扩免后儿童免疫规划疫苗预防接种情况。[方法]2009年8月,在瑞金市全市随机抽取2002年1月至2008年6月出生的儿童510名,调查免疫规划接种疫苗的接种情况。[结果]调查12月龄内儿童170名,＂七苗＂全程接种合格率为81.18%。调查2～7岁的儿童340名,DTP、MV（含MM）、JEV、第1针MenAC、OPV、DT、第2针Men-AC加强免疫接种率分别为80.39%、78.43%、79.41%、72.06%、73.53%、63.73%、49.02%。[结论]瑞金市儿童免疫规划疫苗预防接种工作有待加强,特别是新增疫苗的预防接种。     

National programme for the control of poliomyelitis

Oral polio vaccine was introduced into India's national immunization program in 1979-80. Coverage with this vaccine has increased rapidly from 0.67 million in 1979-80 to 9.63 million in 1984-85. 3 doses of the vaccine are recommended at age 3-12 months, followed by a booster dose 12-18 months later. The vaccine is administered along with the DPT vaccine. The vaccines are provided as a package of services under the expanded program on immunization (EPI). India's government initiated the EPI in 1978 with the goal of reducing the morbidity and mortality due to diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever by making vaccination services available to all eligible children and pregnant women by 1990. In 1985-86, measles vaccination was included in the program. Another objective was to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of vaccines required for the program. Immunization services are provided through the existing health care delivery system: hospitals, dispensaries, and maternal and child health (MCH) clinics in the urban areas primary health centers in rural areas. The aim of universal immunization for all India has been set for 1989-90; some areas may achieve this goal earlier. 30 districts and catchment areas of 50 medical colleges have been taken up in the universal immunization program for 1985-86. The objectives of the universal immunization program include: to provide universal immunization coverage to pregnant women and to infants; to document a reduction in the vaccine preventable diseases; to develop effective implementation and to streamline logistics; and to encourage the active participation of the medical faculty, interns, and students from the planning to the evaluation stages. The government of India provides the vaccines required under the national immunization program to the state health authorities. Over 50 million doses of oral polio vaccine are expected to be utilized during 1985-86. The annual requirements are likely to exceed 80 million doses by 1989-90. The planned targets of vaccination coverage are linked closely to the development of the cold chain system. Since 1984 field samples of oral polio vaccine have been collected for potency tests in order to monitor the quality of the cold chain for vaccines. The effectiveness of the control measures will be evaluated by determining the vaccination coverage of the eligible population and by recording the reduction in incidence of poliomyelitis in the area.     

Trust collapse caused by the Changsheng vaccine crisis in China

BackgroundThe public acceptance and implementation of vaccination programs is essential to prevent infectious diseases. However, vaccine adverse events may cause public panic and eventually lead to an increasing number of populations who were hesitant or refuse to participate in these vaccination programs. In 2018, the Changsheng vaccine crisis broke out in mainland China, and 252,600 unqualified DTP vaccines were reported to be used for child vaccination. In this study, we observed media and public reactions toward the vaccine crisis.MethodsThis study conducted Internet surveillance by four mainstream indicators from July 15th to August 7th, including social media (WeChat, Sina Weibo), online news and Baidu search index. We also analyzed the emotional perceptions of people in crisis through an online questionnaire survey.ResultsDuring the crisis, huge number of articles emerged on Internet, 125,882,894 articles (including forwarding) on WeChat friends circle, 1,877,660 Sina Weibo posts, 648,265 online news and 4,986,521 Baidu search indexes. Most of these articles were negative and expressed the public’s weak confidence to the China-made vaccines. Public confidence in vaccines was undermined by the actions of the manufacturer and the government.ConclusionsThe DTP vaccine crisis led to panic about immunization and eroded trust in the immunization program and in the government. Restoring public confidence in Chinese-made vaccines will take a long time, and meticulous management in vaccine production, and strict government regulation will help to alleviate public anxiety about vaccine safety and ultimately restore confidence.     

新疆维吾尔自治区2016－2017年免疫规划疫苗损耗调查

目的 了解新疆维吾尔自治区预防接种单位免疫规划（EPI）疫苗的损耗现状，为进一步精细化管理和使用EPI疫苗提供依据。方法 采取分层整群抽样方法抽取135个接种单位，调查2016-2017年6种EPI疫苗接种和使用数据，包括常规免疫和脊髓灰质炎疫苗群体性补充免疫活动中疫苗领发和使用数量、疫苗报废记录，以及接种单位的地区类型、服务模式、接种周期、日均接种量等。采用描述流行病学方法计算和分析疫苗的损耗系数。结果 单人份的无细胞百白破联合疫苗（DTaP）和三价脊髓灰质炎减毒活疫苗（tOPV）损耗系数最低，分别为1.00和1.02；多人份的二价脊髓灰质炎减毒活疫苗（bOPV）、A群脑膜炎球菌多糖疫苗（MPV-A）、白喉破伤风联合疫苗（DT）、卡介苗（BCG）损耗系数分别为1.58、1.67、1.68、3.02。城市、农村、牧区接种单位EPI疫苗损耗系数范围分别为1.00~2.84、1.00~3.71、1.00~2.27；乡级集中、村级集中、分散接种模式的损耗系数分别为1.00~3.00、1.00~4.41、1.00~1.94。接种周期越长或日均接种量越小，损耗系数越大。结论 新疆维吾尔自治区预防接种单位多人份EPI疫苗损耗较高，并受地区和接种服务形式的影响。需根据地区类型、接种单位服务形式等加强精细化的疫苗管理，减少疫苗损耗和浪费。     

Vaccine events raising public concern and associated immunization program policy and practice changes,China, 2005–2021

IntroductionSeveral vaccine events causing public concern have occurred in China that were investigated and responded to by the central government. We describe causes, influences, and policy or practice changes associated with vaccine events that occurred between 2005 and 2021. We make recommendations to foster resilience in China’s Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) system and vaccination enterprises and to sustain vaccine and program confidence.MethodsOur study included all vaccine events since 2005 that were investigated and responded to by the central government of China. We verified mainstream and social media visibility of the events through Internet search. We extracted event times, causes, investigation processes, results, actions, and policy or practice regulation changes from official reports of government meetings and from official websites with media briefings.ResultsSeven vaccine events were identified, each of which caused more than 100,000 mainstream or social media reports nationally or nationally and internationally. The events ranged in magnitude from 145 children receiving out-of-date oral poliovirus vaccine to a measles supplementary immunization activity involving 103 million children. Few, if any, children were directly harmed by vaccines in the events. Government responded to each event with program or policy changes, and in one case, with legislation. Responses affected the conduct of campaigns and supplementary immunization activities, use of schools as vaccination venues, financial incentives for vaccinating with non-program vaccines, vaccine procurement and distribution, and program policy making. The most fundamental response was enacting the country’s first vaccine law, the 2019 Vaccine Administration Law, which guides virtually all aspects of vaccination work, from vaccine development through regulation, program implementation, and safety and impact monitoring.ConclusionsAll seven events generated substantial national and international mainstream and social media criticism and discussion, most commonly expressed through concerns of vaccine safety or vaccine effectiveness. Most had temporally associated temporary declines in vaccine confidence and coverage, jeopardizing decades of vaccination effort. The central government responded to each event by attempting to address root causes. Faithful implementation of the Vaccine Administration Law is fundamental to program strengthening and sustaining confidence of families, stakeholders, and government in vaccines and immunization in China.     

Vaccine coverage and adherence to EPI schedules in eight resource poor settings in the MAL-ED cohort study

BackgroundLaunched in 1974, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is estimated to prevent two-three million deaths annually from polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, pertussis, measles, and tetanus. Additional lives could be saved through better understanding what influences adherence to the EPI schedule in specific settings.MethodsThe Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) study followed cohorts in eight sites in South Asia, Africa, and South America and monitored vaccine receipt over the first two years of life for the children enrolled in the study. Vaccination histories were obtained monthly from vaccination cards, local clinic records and/or caregiver reports. Vaccination histories were compared against the prescribed EPI schedules for each country, and coverage rates were examined in relation to the timing of vaccination. The influence of socioeconomic factors on vaccine timing and coverage was also considered.ResultsCoverage rates for EPI vaccines varied between sites and by type of vaccine; overall, coverage was highest in the Nepal and Bangladesh sites and lowest in the Tanzania and Brazil sites. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin coverage was high across all sites, 87–100%, whereas measles vaccination rates ranged widely, 73–100%. Significant delays between the scheduled administration age and actual vaccination date were present in all sites, especially for measles vaccine where less than 40% were administered on schedule. A range of socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with vaccination status in study children but these results were largely site-specific.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the need to improve measles vaccination rates and reduce delayed vaccination to achieve EPI targets related to the establishment of herd immunity and reduction in disease transmission.     

Genotype distribution of Group A rotavirus in children before and after massive vaccination in Latin America and the Caribbean: Systematic review

BackgroundDuring the last decade, most of Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) countries have implemented oral live rotavirus vaccines in their national vaccination programs with remarkable results. However, it has been suggested that massive vaccination could lead to the replacement of circulating genotypes or the emergence of new variants or neutralizing antibodies escape mutants, which may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. The objective was to analyze the genetic diversity of Group A rotavirus before and after the introduction of universal vaccination in LAC.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of studies published in PubMed, Scielo and LILACS. There were considered only LAC countries with rotavirus massive vaccination strategy which had described circulating genotypes data in children under 5 years of age, either for surveillance or vaccine effectiveness purposes, from 2001 to 2017. Systematic review stages were carried out following the recommendations of PRISMA.ResultsOf the 18 countries that included any of the two licensed rotavirus vaccines in their national schedules since 2006, only 7 (~39%) presented studies of RVA genetic diversity before and after implementation, and met the inclusion criteria. Four of them (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Nicaragua) experienced a rapid switch from Wa-like to DS-1-like strains. Also, G1P[8] association, considered the most predominant worldwide in the pre-vaccination era, decreased significantly and was only frequently detected in Venezuela and Nicaragua. No defined pattern of emergence at high frequencies of unusual associations was observed in the post vaccination period, except for some evidence of G9P[4] in Colombia, G3P[6] and G1P[4] in Nicaragua.ConclusionsEven though the evidence shows a DS-1-like change trend, data from studies conducted in Latin America and the Caribbean are diverse and still not sufficient to assess the impact of vaccines on viral ecology or if genetic diversity is influenced by natural mechanisms of fluctuation.     

Vaccination coverage among children in kindergarten--United States, 2009-10 school year

Healthy People 2020 objectives include maintaining vaccination coverage among children in kindergarten (IID-10) (1). The target is ≥95% vaccination coverage for the following vaccines: poliovirus; diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTP/DTaP/DT); measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); hepatitis B (HepB); and varicella (1). Data from school assessment surveys are used to monitor vaccination coverage and vaccination exemption levels among children enrolled in kindergarten. This report summarizes data from school assessment surveys submitted to CDC by 48 federal immunization program grantees (including 47 states and the District of Columbia) for the 2009-10 school year to describe vaccination coverage and exemption rates (2). For that period, 17 grantees reported coverage of ?95% for four vaccines (poliovirus, DTP/DTaP/DT, MMR, and HepB) and four grantees reported coverage of ≥95% for 2 doses of varicella vaccine. Total exemption rates, including medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions, ranged from <1% to 6.2% across grantees, and 15 grantees reported exemption rates<1%. Survey methods for vaccination coverage and exemption rates varied among grantees, making comparisons difficult and limiting the use of school assessment surveys to report aggregate national rates. Further standardization of school assessment survey methods will generate comparable data between grantees to monitor and track progress in reaching national objectives, and allow development of best practice guidelines for grantees to more effectively use and report school coverage and exemption data. CDC will continue to monitor vaccination coverage and exemption levels and assist grantees in identification of local areas with low vaccination coverage or high exemption rates for further evaluation or intervention.     

江东区5种二类疫苗接种情况分析

目的 分析江东区5种二类疫苗接种情况.方法 选取江东区13 133例2～5周岁的儿童为研究对象,分析其二类疫苗接种情况.结果5种二类疫苗接种率在7.04％～88.24％之间,平均接种率为36.32％;除水痘疫苗外,其余4种疫苗的接种率流动儿童均高于本地儿童;流动儿童5种二类疫苗平均接种率为38.03％,本地儿童平均接种率为34.43％.结论该区流动儿童二类疫苗接种率高于本地儿童;将更多二类疫苗纳入一类疫苗管理是提高二类疫苗接种率的最有效方法.     

Systematic review of cost-effectiveness studies of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination: 9-Valent vaccine,gender-neutral and multiple age cohort vaccination

BackgroundThe success of human papillomavirus (HPV) national immunization program depends on effective strategies in optimizing the uptake of HPV vaccine. Given the increasing number of economic evaluations, this review was conducted to update the economic evidence on HPV vaccination, by focusing on: (i) 9-valent vaccine compared to bi- or quadrivalent vaccine; (ii) gender-neutral vaccination compared to female only vaccination; and (iii) multiple age cohort immunization compared to single age cohort immunization.MethodsSearches were performed until June 2016 using 4 databases: PubMed; Embase; Cochrane Library; and LILACS. The combined WHO, Drummond and CHEERS checklist were used to evaluate the quality of included studies.ResultsThirty-four studies were included in the review and most of them were conducted in high-income countries. The inclusion of adolescent boys in vaccination program was found to be cost-effective if vaccine price and coverage was low. When coverage for female was above 75%, gender-neutral vaccination was less cost-effective than when targeting only girls aged 9–18 years. Current evidence does not show conclusive proof of greater cost-effectiveness of 9-valent vaccine compared to the older HPV vaccines as the price for 9-valent vaccine was still uncertain. Multicohort immunization strategy was cost-effective in the age range 9–14 years but the upper age limit at which vaccination was no longer cost-effective needs to be further investigated. Key influential parameters identified were duration of vaccine protection, vaccine price, coverage, and discounting rates.ConclusionsThese findings are expected to support policy-makers in making recommendations for HPV immunization programs on either switching to the 9-valent vaccine or inclusion of adolescent boys’ vaccination or extending the age of vaccination.     

2010年深圳市福田区儿童免疫接种率调查

目的了解深圳市福田区免疫规划实施情况,为制定全区免疫规划工作相关政策提供科学依据。方法在全区8个街道按容量概率比例法抽取924名儿童调查"9苗"接种率现况及相关影响因素。结果 6苗基础、加强接种率均达到95%以上,白破疫苗接种率为85.71%,新纳入国家免疫规划的A群流行性脑膜炎(流脑)、A+C群流脑、甲型肝炎接种率分别为88.32%、96.92%、81.71%;建卡率在不同户籍、不同居住属性的儿童中差异有统计学意义(P0.05);合格接种率在不同户籍、不同居住属性中差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。儿童不合格接种的原因主要是超期接种,不合格接种较多的疫苗为麻疹和乙型脑炎。结论福田区原国家免疫规划"6苗"保持高接种率,白破疫苗及A+C群流脑第2剂次接种率待进一步提高。     

The Global Vaccine Action Plan – insights into its utility,application, and ways to strengthen future plans

BackgroundThe pace of global progress must increase if the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) goals are to be achieved by 2020. We administered a two-phase survey to key immunization stakeholders to assess the utility and application of GVAP, including how it has impacted country immunization programs, and to find ways to strengthen the next 10-year plan.MethodsFor the Phase I survey, an online questionnaire was sent to global immunization stakeholders in summer 2017. The Phase II survey was sent to regional and national immunization stakeholders in summer 2018, including WHO Regional Advisors on Immunization, Expanded Programme on Immunization managers, and WHO and UNICEF country representatives from 20 countries. Countries were selected based on improvements (10) versus decreases (10) in DTP3 coverage from 2010 to 2016.ResultsGlobal immunization stakeholders (n = 38) cite global progress in improving vaccine delivery (88%) and engaging civil society organizations as advocates for vaccines (83%). Among regional and national immunization stakeholders (n = 58), 70% indicated reaching mobile and underserved populations with vaccination activities as a major challenge. The top ranked activities for helping country programs achieve progress toward GVAP goals include improved monitoring of vaccination coverage and upgrading disease surveillance systems. Most respondents (96%) indicated GVAP as useful for determining immunization priorities and 95% were supportive of a post-2020 GVAP strategy.ConclusionsImmunization stakeholders see GVAP as a useful tool, and there is cause for excitement as the global immunization community looks toward the next decade of vaccines. The next 10-year plan should attempt to increase political will, align immunization activities with other health system agendas, and address important issues like reaching mobile/migrant populations and improving data reporting systems.     

Country-level predictors of vaccination coverage and inequalities in Gavi-supported countries

BackgroundImportant inequalities in childhood vaccination coverage persist between countries and population groups. Understanding why some countries achieve higher and more equitable levels of coverage is crucial to redress these inequalities. In this study, we explored the country-level determinants of (1) coverage of the third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis- (DTP3) containing vaccine and (2) within-country inequalities in DTP3 coverage in 45 countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.MethodsWe used data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2005 and 2014. We measured national DTP3 coverage and the slope index of inequality in DTP3 coverage with respect to household wealth, maternal education, and multidimensional poverty. We collated data on country health systems, health financing, governance and geographic and sociocultural contexts from published sources. We used meta-regressions to assess the relationship between these country-level factors and variations in DTP3 coverage and inequalities. To validate our findings, we repeated these analyses for coverage with measles-containing vaccine (MCV).ResultsWe found considerable heterogeneity in DTP3 coverage and in the magnitude of inequalities across countries. Results for MCV were consistent with those from DTP3. Political stability, gender equality and smaller land surface were important predictors of higher and more equitable levels of DTP3 coverage. Inequalities in DTP3 coverage were also lower in countries receiving more external resources for health, with lower rates of out-of-pocket spending and with higher national coverage. Greater government spending on heath and lower linguistic fractionalization were also consistent with better vaccination outcomes.ConclusionImproving vaccination coverage and reducing inequalities requires that policies and programs address critical social determinants of health including geographic and social exclusion, gender inequality and the availability of financial protection for health. Further research should investigate the mechanisms contributing to these associations.     

Epidemiological profile and progress toward rubella elimination in China. 10 years after nationwide introduction of rubella vaccine

BackgroundRubella-containing vaccine (RCV) became available in China in 1993 and was introduced nationwide into the Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) in 2008. We evaluated implementation and impact of RCV from 2 years prior to nationwide introduction through the 10 years after nationwide introduction.MethodsWe analyzed RCV lot-release (doses distributed) data, 1- and 2-dose RCV coverage, and rubella data from China’s nationwide disease surveillance system to describe the current status and changes in rubella epidemiology between 2005 and 2017.ResultsWhile the vaccine was included into the routine immunization program in 2008, its full implementation required 4 years due to sporadic vaccine supply constraints. RCV1 and RCV2 coverage increased from 51.5% and 39.0% in 2008 to >95% during 2012 through 2016. From 2005 to 2017, the annual incidences (per million) of rubella ranged from 91.09 in 2008 down to 1.16 in 2017; reductions occurred in all age groups. The proportion of cases among individuals ≥20 years old increased from 0.97% in 2005 to 31.2% in 2017. In the better-developed eastern China, most cases were among adults; in central and western China, most cases were among children or adolescents.ConclusionsThe marked decrease rubella was a result of inclusion of RCVs into EPI targeting children less than 2 years of age and achieving high level of 2-dose coverage. Rubella was reduced in absolute terms, and its epidemiology was changed to older cases with substantial inter-province variation. Ensuring full vaccination of school children and identifying strategies to reach adults with measles and rubella combined vaccines will be important to hasten elimination of rubella and prevent CRS outbreaks.