[Activities to catch up and Vaccinate the Susceptible Population in Valencian Community, Spain]. / Actividades para captar y vacunar a la población susceptible en la Comunidad Valenciana.

Eliminating measles and rubella and preventing congenital rubella infection plan of WHO highlighted the need to assess vaccination coverage and develop strategies to improve it and eliminate pockets of low immunization coverage. It exists evidence about the potential role of immunization information systems to improve coverage. The aim of this article is to describe the actions taken from the Vaccine Information System of Valencian Community addressed to improve the vaccination coverage. The Vaccine Information System is a comprehensive information system that allows the management of vaccination programs. It is connected to other systems so that decisions related to vaccinations as clinical and epidemiological management is facilitated. Regarding the role in improving vaccination coverage, the Vaccine Information System facilitates the implementation of all alternatives that have been proven effective: calculate coverage and feedback of results, active recruitment, cooperate with the epidemiological surveillance and logistics management of vaccines. We can conclude, therefore, that the Vaccine Information System is a useful tool to improve vaccination coverage and thus contribute to the elimination of measles and rubella.

[Variability in the reporting of adverse reactions to the pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine: seasons 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Valencian community, Spain]. / Variabilidad en la notificación de reacciones adversas a las vacunas de la gripe pandémica y estacional: Temporadas 2009-2010 y 2010-2011, Comunitat Valenciana.

BACKGROUND: The loss of confidence in the safety of vaccines derived from alarm conditions, as in the case of the flu pandemic may affect both vaccination coverage and the sensitivity to the reporting of suspected adverse reactions associated vaccines (SRAAV). The aim of the study is to describe the adverse effects reported to the vaccine against pandemic influenza in the 2009-2010 season and against seasonal influenza in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons, by type of vaccine, risk groups and by age group in the Valencian Community (CV). METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study has been made of the individuals presenting suspected adverse reactions to the influenza vaccine reported through the Vaccine Information System during the seasons 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 in the Valencian Community. 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: During the period 2009-2010 the reporting rate of suspected reactions for seasonal influenza vaccine was 0.020 per thousand doses administered, for the pandemic vaccine 0.95. The reporting rate for seasonal influenza vaccine in the period 2010-2011 was 0.04 per thousand. CONCLUSIONS: There was an increase in the number of reported suspected adverse reactions to the pandemic vaccines compared with the rest of influenza vaccines, during the seasons. The highest suspected adverse reaction reporting rate was for the group of health professionals partner for both vaccines against seasonal and pandemic influenza.

[Public health service prescriptions of vaccines not included in systematic vaccination programs in Valencian community, Spain, during the period 2004-2009]. / Prescripción de vacunas no incluidas en el calendario vacunal en la Comunitat Valenciana durante el período 2004-2009.

BACKGROUND: In the context of the policies of rational use of medicine, and in order to achieve an efficient management of the vaccinations programs, we expect to know the number of packings and cost of prescribed vaccines not included in the vaccination programs of Valencian Community and its departments during 2009 and to analyze its evolution since 2004, focusing on an analysis of Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children under two years old. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study to analyze the prescriptions of vaccines in Valencian Community during 2009 and its evolution since 2004. VARIABLES: vaccine availability, number of packings, group of beneficiary (actives/pensioners), department, and cost of prescriptions. DATA SOURCES: Gestor de Prestación Farmacéutica (GAIA) and Sistema Información Poblacional (SIP). RESULTS: In 2009 prescribed vaccines on official national health system prescription forms that are not included in vaccination programs, supposed a cost of 683.445,71 € corresponding to 17.353 packings (87% of the total prescribed vaccines). Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine generated 72% of the total cost of vaccines not included in the vaccination programs. The trend from 2004 to 2009 shows an increase in expenditure of 735.334 € (24,66%) in 2005 from which there takes place a marked and gradual decrease that reaches 1.562.650,67 € (-228.64%). The cost by departments of prescriptions per 1000 children under two years old of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ranges between 17.377 and 324 €. CONCLUSIONS: The declining trend of prescriptions, mainly of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, continues during 2009. A great interdepartmental variability is observed, nevertheless, in rates of prescription that should be corrected.