Construção e utilização de instrumento de estratificação de risco para vacinação de idosos contra a Covid-19 / Construction and use of a risk stratification instrument for vaccination of elderly against Covid-19 / Construcción y uso de un instrumento de estratificación de riesgo para la vacunación del anciano contra el Covid- 19

Objetivo: Relatar a experiência da construção e utilização de um instrumento de estratificação de risco para vacinação de idosos contra a COVID-19. Métodos: Relato da experiência desenvolvida no município de Massapê ­ Ceará, durante o ano de 2021, a partir do início da campanha de vacinação de idosos contra a COVID-19. Descrição da Experiência: Por conta da escassez de imunobiológicos, na fase inicial da vacinação contra a COVID-19, a Secretaria da Saúde do município de Massapê, estado do Ceará, criou um instrumento para estratificação de riscos sanitários, epidemiológicos e sociais dos idosos, contendo seus dados sociodemográficos e as comorbidades. Após o estabelecimento das variáveis, foram estabelecidos escores para os estratos de risco, que foram classificados em baixo (um a três pontos), médio (quatro a seis pontos), alto (sete a nove pontos) e muito alto (dez pontos e mais). Considerações Finais: O estudo mostra que, apesar da pandemia de COVID-19, uma crise sanitária global sem precedentes como já dito, ações pontuais, mesmo que localizadas, podem ter efeito em cadeia e ser replicadas em outros cenários e momentos.

Objective: To report the experience of building and using a risk stratification instrument for vaccinating the elderly against COVID-19. Methods: Report of the experience developed in the municipality of Massapê - Ceará, during the year 2021, from the beginning of the vaccination campaign for the elderly against COVID-19. Experience Description: Due to the scarcity of immunobiologicals, in the initial phase of vaccination against COVID-19, the Department of Health of the municipality of Massapê, state of Ceará, created an instrument to stratify the health, epidemiological and social risks of the elderly, containing sociodemographic data and comorbidities of the elderly. After establishing the variables, scores were established for the risk strata, which were classified as low (one to three points), medium (four to six points), high (seven to nine points) and very high (ten points and more). Final Considerations: The study shows that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented global health crisis as already mentioned, specific actions, even if localized, can have a chain effect and be replicated in other scenarios and times.

Objetivo: Relatar la experiencia de construcción y uso de un instrumento de estratificación de riesgo para la vacunación de ancianos contra la COVID-19. Métodos: Informe de la experiencia desarrollada en el municipio de Massapê - Ceará, durante el año 2021, desde el inicio de la campaña de vacunación de ancianos contra la COVID-19. Descripción de la Experiencia: Debido a la escasez de inmunobiológicos, en la fase inicial de la vacunación contra la COVID-19, la Secretaría de Salud del municipio de Massapê, estado de Ceará, creó un instrumento para estratificar los riesgos sanitarios, epidemiológicos y sociales de los ancianos, que contiene datos sociodemográficos y comorbilidades de los ancianos. Luego de establecer las variables, se establecieron puntajes para los estratos de riesgo, los cuales se clasificaron en bajo (uno a tres puntos), medio (cuatro a seis puntos), alto (siete a nueve puntos) y muy alto (diez puntos y más). Consideraciones finales: El estudio muestra que, a pesar de la pandemia de COVID-19, una crisis sanitaria mundial sin precedentes como ya se mencionó, las acciones específicas, aunque sean localizadas, pueden tener un efecto en cadena y replicarse en otros escenarios y tiempos.

Vacunacion antirrábica en caninos y felinos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires: Año 2021 / Rabies vaccination in Buenos Aires City: Year 2021

El objetivo del presente informe es exponer la situación actual de la vacunación antirrábica de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, con el fin de realizar una planificación estratégica de prevención y control de la enfermedad. Se utilizaron datos sobre vacunación realizada por veterinarias privadas estimados a partir de la venta de talonarios por parte del Consejo Profesional de Médicos Veterinarios (CPMV); así como la vacunación realizada por los efectores públicos de salud: Instituto de Zoonosis Luis Pasteur (IZLP) y Mascotas de la Ciudad (MC).

Investigating the procurement system for understanding seasonal influenza vaccine brand availability in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Timely knowledge of which influenza vaccine brands are procured and where is of interest to inform site-selection for brand-specific influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies. Vaccine procurement is a key determinant of brand availability. We therefore sought to understand how the procurement for seasonal influenza vaccine in Europe is organized, how this drives brand availability and how procurement data could enable to determine brand availability pre-season. METHODS: Structured telephone interviews were conducted with 15 experts in 16 European countries between 2017 and 2019 to collect information on the influenza vaccine procurement systems. Sources of (brand-specific) procurement data were identified and assessed on public accessibility. Vaccine type and brand availability and timelines were determined for the 2019-20 season to understand how procurement systems drive brand availability and diversity. RESULTS: Four main types of procurement systems for seasonal influenza vaccination campaigns were identified: national public tenders (Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Slovenia), regional public tenders (Italy, Spain, Sweden), direct purchase of vaccines by GPs (England, Wales) or pharmacies (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece) from manufacturers or wholesalers. National public tender outcomes are publicly available and timely; brand availability at clinic level can generally be deduced or narrowed down to two brands. Regional tender outcomes are more difficult to find, known very late or not available. In Italian and Spanish regions tenders may be awarded only a few weeks before the seasonal campaign. No public procurement information is available for countries with direct purchase. CONCLUSION: At the country-level, brand diversity is generally lower for countries with national public tenders than for countries with regional public tenders or direct purchase. In only a few countries, procurement data at the brand level is both publicly available and timely. Therefore the usefulness of procurement data for prospective site-selection for brand-specific VE studies is limited.

Development of integration indexes to determine the extent of family planning and child immunization services integration in health facilities in urban areas of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Integrating family planning into child immunization services may address unmet need for contraception by offering family planning information and services to postpartum women during routine child immunization visits. However, policies and programs promoting integration are often based on insubstantial or conflicting evidence about its effects on service delivery and health outcomes. While integration models vary, many studies measure integration as binary (a facility is integrated or not) rather than a multidimensional and varying continuum. It is thus challenging to ascertain the determinants and effects of integrated service delivery. This study creates Facility and Provider Integration Indexes, which measure capacity to support integrated family planning and child immunization services and applies them to analyze the extent of integration across 400 health facilities. METHODS: This study utilizes cross-sectional health facility (N = 400; 58% hospitals, 42% primary healthcare centers) and healthcare provider (N = 1479) survey data that were collected in six urban areas of Nigeria for the impact evaluation of the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative. Principal Component Analysis was used to develop Provider and Facility Integration Indexes that estimate the extent of integration in these health facilities. The Provider Integration Index measures provider skills and practices that support integrated service delivery while the Facility Integration Index measures facility norms that support integrated service delivery. Index scores range from zero (low) to ten (high). RESULTS: Mean Provider Integration Index score is 5.42 (SD 3.10), and mean Facility Integration Index score is 6.22 (SD 2.72). Twenty-three percent of facilities were classified as having low Provider Integration scores, 32% as medium, and 45% as high. Fourteen percent of facilities were classified as having low Facility Integration scores, 38% as medium, and 48% as high. CONCLUSION: Many facilities in our sample have achieved high levels of integration, while many others have not. Results suggest that using more nuanced measures of integration may (a) more accurately reflect true variation in integration within and across health facilities, (b) enable more precise measurement of the determinants or effects of integration, and (c) provide more tailored, actionable information about how best to improve integration. Overall, results reinforce the importance of utilizing more nuanced measures of facility-level integration.

Concordância do registro informatizado de imunização de Araraquara, São Paulo, 2018 / Concordancia del registro de vacunación computarizado de Araraquara, São Paulo, Brasil, 2018 / Computerized immunization record agreement in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil, 2018

Objetivo: Descrever a concordância entre os dados de imunização do Sistema Juarez e as informações da caderneta de vacinação e as coberturas vacinais em crianças de 12 a 24 meses. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, para avaliar a situação vacinal aos 12 e 24 meses de idade de crianças nascidas em 2015 e registradas no Sistema Juarez. Foram verificados os níveis de concordância entre os dados do Sistema Juarez e as informações da caderneta de vacinação. Resultados: Foram incluídas 429 crianças. Verificou-se que a concordância variou entre 84,1 e 99,1%. As coberturas no inquérito vacinal para cada vacina variaram de 86,1 a 100%; e para o esquema completo, de 77,1 (12 meses) a 68,8% (24 meses). As distribuições espaciais da cobertura vacinal foram de 28 a 100%. Conclusão: Observou-se ótima concordância entre os dados, com altas coberturas vacinais, muito embora heterogeneidade em suas distribuições espaciais.

Objetivo: Describir la concordancia entre los datos de vacunación del Sistema Juárez y la información de la cartilla de vacunación y cobertura vacunal en niños de 12 a 24 meses. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo para evaluar el estado de vacunación a los 12 y 24 meses de edad de los niños nacidos en 2015 e inscritos en el Sistema Juárez. Se verificaron los niveles de concordancia entre los datos del Sistema Juárez y la información del carné de vacunación. Resultados: Se incluyeron 429 niños. Se encontró que la concordancia varió entre 84,1 y 99,1%. La cobertura (encuesta de vacunas) para cada vacuna varió de 86% a 100% y para el esquema completo, 77,1% (12 meses) y 68,8% (24 meses). Las distribuciones espaciales de la cobertura vacunal oscilaron entre el 28% y el 100%. Conclusión: excelente concordancia entre los datos, alta cobertura de vacunación, pero heterogeneidad en sus distribuciones espaciales.

Objective: To describe agreement between the Juarez System immunization data and information in vaccination record booklets and vaccination coverage in children aged 12 to 24 months. Methods: This was a descriptive study to assess the vaccination status at 12 and 24 months of age of children born in 2015 and recorded on the Juarez System. The levels of agreement between the Juarez System data and the information in vaccination record booklets were verified. Results: 429 children were included. It was found that agreement ranged between 84.1% and 99.1%. The vaccine survey found that coverage for each vaccine ranged from 86.01% to 100% and for the full schedule, from 77.1% (12 months) to 68.8% (24 months). The spatial distributions of vaccine coverage ranged from 28% to 100%. Conclusion: There was excellent agreement between the data, with high vaccination coverage, but heterogeneity in their spatial distributions.

The impact of an integrated electronic immunization registry and logistics management information system (EIR-eLMIS) on vaccine availability in three regions in Tanzania: A pre-post and time-series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Since 2016, the Government of Tanzania has been implementing TImR, an integrated Electronic Immunization registry-logistics management information system (EIR-LMIS) that includes stock notifications. The objective of this study is to estimate the impact of this intervention on vaccine availability. METHODS: Monthly stock-out data were collected from paper registers at facilities, an Excel-based system at districts, and the new system (TImR) across all 924 health facilities in Arusha, Tanga and Kilimanjaro Regions. Six months of stockout rates pre- and post-introduction, by antigen, were compared via a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A mixed-effects logistic regression model with the TImR data identified predictors of vaccine availability across antigens. FINDINGS: Post-introduction, ANOVA models estimated that overall stock-out rates declined from a monthly average of 7.1% to 2.1% (p < 0.01). Three specific vaccines had fewer stock-outs; OPV's monthly average dropped from 12.5% to 2.1% (p < 0.01), MR from 9.4% to 1.0% (p < 0.01) and DTP-HepB-HiB from 8.1% to 1.7% (p < 0.01). In the mixed-effects logistic regression model, controlling for antigen, odds of stock-out were 4.1% (95% CI: 3.3 - 4.9) lower for each week of tenure. Compared to DTP-HepB-HiB vaccine, odds of BCG vaccine being stocked out were 4.31 as high (95% CI: 3.1 - 5.0). The odds of being stocked-out were 29.7% lower for PCV (95% CI: 8.8 - 45.8) and 26.6% (95% CI: 3.4 - 44.1) lower for rotavirus vaccines compared to DTP-HepB-HiB. The odds of stock out were 37.7% lower for MR vaccine than DTP-HepB-HiB (95% CI: 18.1 - 52.6). CONCLUSIONS: Tanzania's integrated EIR-eLMIS may increase vaccine availability compared to its paper and Excel based system. Post-introduction of an eLMIS, the odds of a vaccine stock-out reduced over time. Further research could determine the impact of this intervention on vaccine wastage and replenishment response times.

Análisis de las Campañas de Vacunación Antigripal destinadas al personal de salud del HIBA: período 2016-2018 / Analysis of Influenza Vaccination Campaigns for HIBA health personnel: 2016-2018 period

Introducción: la vacunación antigripal es la forma más eficaz para prevenir la enfermedad por virus Influenza y sus complicaciones. La cobertura en los profesionales sanitarios es un indicador de calidad hospitalaria. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. A partir de registros vacunales, se calculó la cobertura para las campañas 2013 a 2018. Se compararon las coberturas por trienios. Se describieron características generales de las campañas de 2016 a 2018. Resultados: en 2016 se alcanzó la mayor tasa del período (59,79%, IC 95%:58,75-60,81); en 2017, la menor (34,46%, IC 95%:33,48-35,46). La campaña 2018 obtuvo una cobertura de 54,90% (IC 95%: 53,88-55,92) y se inició más tempranamente que otras. Al comparar las tasas trienales del período se observó una diferencia de proporción de -1,3% (IC 95%: -2.84-0.24). Durante los tres últimos años, el personal vacunado correspondió mayormente al sexo femenino, a la Sede Central y tenía relación contractual directa. Las mayores coberturas específicas correspondieron a la sede de San Justo y a los profesionales de enfermería. El puesto ambulante fue el que aplicó más vacunas. Conclusión: si bien hubo variaciones en las coberturas alcanzadas a lo largo de los años, siendo la del año 2016 la más elevada y la del año 2017 la más baja, no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las coberturas alcanzadas al comparar trienios. Resulta necesario continuar realizando intervenciones adaptadas al contexto local que permitan alcanzar los objetivos de cobertura esperados. Discusión: se reconocieron varios obstáculos para alcanzar las coberturas esperadas. La educación al personal de salud, la evaluación sistematizada de los ESAVI (Eventos supuestamente atribuibles a vacunación e inmunización) y la descripción de los elementos que facilitaron las coberturas específicas elevadas de algunas subpoblaciones podrían contribuir para mejorar los resultados. (AU)

Introduction: influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza virus disease and its complications. Coverage in health professionals measurement is an indicator of hospital quality. Material and methods: descriptive cross-sectional study. From vaccination records, the coverage was calculated for the 2013 to 2018 campaigns. The coverage for three years was compared. General characteristics of the campaigns from 2016 to 2018 were described. Results: in 2016, the highest was achieved during the period (59.79%, IC 95%: 58.75 -60.81). In 2017, the lowest (34.46%, IC 95%: 33.48-35,46). The 2018 campaign achieved a coverage of 54.90% (IC 95%: 53.88-55.92) and started earlier than others. When comparing the triennial rates of the period, a difference of proportion of -1.3% was observed (IC 95%: -2.84-0.24). During the last three years, the vaccinated staff corresponded mostly to the female sex, to the headquarters and had a direct contractual relationship. The largest specific coverage corresponded to the San Justo headquarters and to nursing professionals. The ambulatory position was the post that applied the most vaccines. Conclusion: although there were variations in the coverage achieved over the years, with 2016 being the highest and 2017 being the lowest, there were no statistically significant differences in the coverage achieved when comparing trienniums. It is necessary to continue carrying out interventions adapted to the local context to achieve the expected coverage objectives. Discussion: several obstacles were recognized to reach the expected coverage. The education of health personnel, the systematic evaluation of the ESAVIs and the description of the elements that facilitated the high specific coverage of some subpopulations could contribute to improve the results. (AU)

Analysis of cervical cancer mortality rate trends in Natal-RN, Brazil, between 2000 and 2012 / Análisis de las tendencias de la tasa de mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino en Natal-RN, Brasil, entre 2000 y 2012

ABSTRACT Objective To describe cervical cancer mortality rates and their corresponding trends, and to analyze the spatial correlations of this type of cancer in Natal-RN, Brazil, between 2000 and 2012. Materials and Methods The simple linear regression model, the empirical Bayes method and the Global Moran's index were used for the statistical analysis. Results The mortality coefficient of cervical cancer in Natal, standardized by age range, was 5.5 per 100 000 women. All historical series for the coefficients studied were classified as stable. The Global Moran's index obtained was 0.048, with a p-value for the spatial test correlation between neighborhoods of 0.300. The average family income by neighborhood showed no significant correlation to cervical cancer mortality rates. Conclusion This study found a temporal stabilization and spatial independence trend of cervical cancer mortality rates in women from Natal, as well as the absence of correlation between these rates and the average family income of the of the participating women distributed by neighborhoods. In view of this, changes in the public policies should be made aimed at preventing the disease; adopting these measures could positively impact the screening program, improving the coverage of Pap smears and immunization campaigns against HPV, in order to reverse this trend and achieve a reduction of mortality rates.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivo Describir las tasas de mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino y sus tendencias, así como analizar las correlaciones espaciales de este tipo de cáncer en Natal-RN, Brasil, entre 2000 y 2012. Materiales y Métodos Para el análisis estadístico se utilizaron el modelo de regresión lineal simple, la estimación empírica de Bayes y el índice Moran Global. Resultados La tasa de mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino en Natal, estandarizado por rango de edad, fue 5.5 por cada 100 000 mujeres. Todas las series históricas para los coeficientes estudiados se clasificaron como estables. El índice Moran Global obtenido fue 0.048, con un valor p de 0.300 para la correlación de prueba espacial entre vecindarios. El ingreso familiar promedio por vecindario no mostró correlación significativa con las tasas de mortalidad por cáncer de cuello uterino. Conclusión En este estudio se observó una tendencia temporal de estabilización e independencia espacial de la tasa de mortalidad por cáncer cervical en mujeres de Natal, así como la ausencia de correlación entre estas tasas y el ingreso familiar promedio de las mujeres participantes, distribuidas por vecindarios de la ciudad. En vista de esto, se sugiere que se adopten cambios en las políticas públicas dirigidas a la prevención de la enfermedad que apunten a medidas que puedan tener un impacto positivo en el programa de monitoreo, mejorando la cobertura de la prueba de Papanicolaou, así como de las campañas de vacunación contra el VPH, con el objetivo de revertir esta tendencia y lograr una reducción en las tasas de mortalidad de la enfermedad.(AU)

Vaccination access in Primary Care from the user's perspective: senses and feelings about healthcare services / Acceso a la vacunación en la Atención Primaria en la voz del usuario: sentidos y sentimientos frente a la atención / Acesso à vacinação na Atenção Primária na voz do usuário: sentidos e sentimentos frente ao atendimento

Abstract Objective: To understand the feelings, senses, perceptions and perspectives of Users regarding access to vaccination in Primary Health Care. Method: This is a Holistic-Qualitative Multiple Case Study, based on Comprehensive Sociology of Everyday Life with 74 participants representing four microregions of health in the Western Extended Region of Minas Gerais. Data collection occurred between June 2016 and April 2017. In order to analyse the data, we used the Thematic Content Analysis, obeying the technique of cross-synthesis of the cases. Results: The results reveal the senses perceived by Users in the experience of vaccination and the feelings regarding care, showing that interpersonal relations between population and health professionals are determinant in the access to vaccination. The constant expansion of the official immunization schedule increased access, however, geographical and social aspects, the lack of knowledge about vaccination and the recurrent lack of immunobiological were referred to as barriers to immunization access. Final considerations: We emphasized the need to reinforce more equitable policies and effective communication as a means to promote the credibility of the services with Users.

Resumen Objetivo: Comprender los sentimientos, sentidos, percepciones y perspectivas de usuarios frente al acceso a la vacunación en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Método: Se trata de un Estudio de Casos Múltiples Holístico-cualitativo, fundamentado en la Sociología Comprensiva del Cotidiano, con 74 representantes de cuatro microrregiones de la salud de la Región Ampliada Oeste del estado de Minas Gerais. La recolección de datos ocurrió entre junio 2016 y abril 2017. Para el análisis de los datos, se utilizó el Análisis de Contenido Temático, obedeciendo a la técnica de la síntesis cruzada de los casos. Resultados: Los resultados revelan los sentidos percibidos por los usuarios en la vivencia de vacunación y los sentimientos frente a la atención, evidenciando que las relaciones interpersonales entre la población y los profesionales de salud son determinantes en el acceso a la vacunación. La constante ampliación del calendario básico de inmunización amplió el acceso. Sin embargo, aspectos como los geográficos y sociales, la falta de conocimiento sobre vacunación y la recurrente falta de inmunobiológico fueron referidos como barreras al acceso a la inmunización. Consideraciones finales: Se resalta la necesidad de reforzar políticas más equitativas y la comunicación efectiva como medio de promover la credibilidad de los servicios junto a los usuarios.

Resumo Objetivo: Compreender os sentimentos, sentidos, percepções e perspectivas de usuários frente ao acesso à vacinação na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: Trata-se de um Estudo de Casos Múltiplos Holístico-Qualitativo, fundamentado na Sociologia Compreensiva do Cotidiano com 74 participantes representantes de quatro microrregiões de saúde da Região Ampliada Oeste de Minas Gerais. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre junho de 2016 e abril de 2017. Para a análise dos dados, utilizou-se a Análise de Conteúdo Temática, obedecendo à técnica da síntese cruzada dos casos. Resultados: Os resultados revelam os sentidos percebidos pelos usuários na vivência em vacinação e os sentimentos frente ao atendimento, evidenciando que as relações interpessoais entre a população e os profissionais de saúde são determinantes no acesso à vacinação. A constante ampliação do calendário básico de imunização ampliou o acesso, entretanto, aspectos geográficos e sociais, a falta de conhecimento sobre vacinação e a recorrente falta de imunobiológico foram referidos como barreiras ao acesso à imunização. Considerações finais: Ressalta-se a necessidade de reforçar políticas mais equitativas e a comunicação efetiva como meio de promover a credibilidade dos serviços junto aos usuários.

Mortalidad atribuible a gripe en los períodos prevacunación y posvacunación en Argentina: estudio ecológico (2002-2016) / Mortality attributable to influenza in pre-vaccination and post-vaccination periods in Argentina: an ecological study (2002-2016) / Mortalidade atribuível à gripe no período pré-vacinal e pós-vacinal na Argentina: estudo ecológico (2002-2016)

RESUMEN Objetivos Comparar las tasas de mortalidad por infección respiratoria aguda grave atribuible a gripe (IRAG) entre los períodos antes de la vacunación (AV) y después de la vacunación (DV), conocer la evolución histórica y estacionalidad de serie histórica entre 2002-2016 y estimar el riesgo de morir de niños entre 6 y 23 meses mediante el empleo de un modelo estadístico. Métodos Estudio de serie histórica con datos oficiales de mortalidad del informe estadístico de defunción. Se consideraron como IRAG los códigos de CIE-10 entre J09-18.9 y J22X. Se calcularon tasas brutas (TB) y ajustadas por edad (TAE) y se compararon los períodos AV (2002-2009) y DV (2010-2016) con prueba de χ2. El mejor modelo estadístico fue el que comparó las defunciones por IRAG en niños durante el 2002 con otros años. Se analizaron los datos con programa R, nivel de significancia P <0,05. Resultados El 4,6% (301 747) de las defunciones fueron por IRAG, con una edad mediana de 82 años, el porcentaje de fallecidos menores de dos años disminuyó en el período DV (2,34% a 0,99%, P < 0,05). Se presentó una marcada estacionalidad en invierno. Las TAE en gerontes pasaron de 259,8 AV a 328,6 por 100 000 personas DV (P < 0,05). En los niños, la TB disminuyó de manera significativa, estimando que el riesgo de morir por IRAG, comparado con el año 2 002, fue significativamente menor durante 3 años DV. Conclusiones La disminución de la mortalidad por gripe en Argentina fue más evidente en niños, con un descenso estimado de 3,5 niños fallecidos por IRAG por mes.

ABSTRACT Objectives Compare mortality from severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) attributable to influenza between pre-vaccination (pre-V) and post-vaccination (post-V) periods, to determine the historical evolution and seasonality of time series between 2002 and 2016, and to estimate the risk of death in children between 6 and 23 months of age, using a statistical model. Methods Time-series study using official mortality data from the official statistical database on deaths. ICD-10 codes between J09-18.9 and J22X were considered to represent SARI. Crude rates and age-adjusted rates (AAR) were calculated, and pre-V (2002-2009) and post-V (2010-2016) periods were compared using the chi-squared (χ2) test. The best statistical model was the one that compared deaths from SARI in children during 2002 with other years. The data were analyzed with R programming (p <0.05). Results 4.6% of deaths (301,747) were from SARI, with a median age of 82 years. The percentage of deaths under age 2 declined in the post-V period (from 2.34% to 0.99%, p < 0.05). Marked seasonality was observed in winter. The AAR in persons over age 64 rose from 259.8 per 100,000 population (pre-V) to 328.6 (post-V) (p < 0.05). In children, the crude rate dropped significantly. Compared with the year 2002, there was a significantly lower estimated risk of dying from SARI during the three years post-V. Conclusions The reduction in mortality from influenza in Argentina was more pronounced in children, with an estimated 3.5 fewer child deaths from SARI per month.

RESUMO Objetivos Comparar o índice de mortalidade por infecção respiratória aguda grave atribuível à gripe nos períodos pré-vacinal e pós-vacinal, conhecer a evolução temporal e a sazonalidade da série temporal entre 2002 e 2016 e estimar o risco de morte em crianças entre 6 e 23 meses de idade com o uso de um modelo estatístico. Métodos Estudo de série histórica com base em dados oficiais de mortalidade obtidos do informe estatístico de óbitos. Os códigos da CID-10 entre J09-18.9 e J22X foram considerados como sendo infecção respiratória aguda grave atribuível à gripe. Foram calculados os índices de mortalidade brutos e ajustados por idade e feita uma comparação entre os períodos pré-vacinal (2002-2009) e pós-vacinal (2010-2016) com o teste de χ2. O melhor modelo estatístico foi o que comparou os índices de mortalidade por infecção respiratória aguda grave atribuível à gripe em crianças em 2002 com os outros anos. Os dados foram analisados com o programa R, a um nível de significância P<0,05. Resultados Observou-se que 4,6% (301.747) das mortes foram por infecção respiratória aguda grave atribuível à gripe, com idade mediana de 82 anos. Houve queda no percentual de mortes em crianças menores de dois anos no período pós-vacinal (2,34% a 0,99%, P< 0,05). Verificou-se uma acentuada sazonalidade no inverno. Os índices ajustados por idade em idosos variaram entre 259,8 por 100 mil no período pré-vacinal e 328,6 por 100 mil no período pós-vacinal (P<0,05). Nas crianças, houve queda significativa nos índices brutos, estimando-se um risco significativamente menor de morte por infecção respiratória aguda grave atribuível à gripe nos 3 anos pós-vacinais em comparação a 2002. Conclusões A redução da mortalidade pela gripe na Argentina foi mais evidente em crianças, com uma redução estimada de 3,5 mortes por mês.

MMR2 vaccination coverage and timeliness among children born in 2004 - 2009: a national survey in Saint Lucia, 2015 / Cobertura de vacunación y respeto de los plazos de la segunda dosis de la vacuna triple viral en los niños nacidos en el período 2004-2009: encuesta nacional realizada en Santa Lucía en el 2015 / Cobertura e momento oportuno de vacinação da segunda dose da vacina tríplice viral em crianças nascidas em 2004-2009: pesquisa nacional em Santa Lúcia, 2015

ABSTRACT Objectives To more accurately determine coverage and timeliness of the second dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR2), while identifying factors associated with low MMR2 vaccination uptake among children in Saint Lucia. Methods A survey was conducted in October - November 2015 targeting children born in 2004 - 2009. At 86 preschools and primary schools, two children from each grade were randomly selected, yielding an effective sample of 836 children. Health records were reviewed to assess vaccination coverage and timeliness. Parents and/or guardians and principals of all 86 schools were interviewed regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to vaccination. Results Of 767 children included, 75% were vaccinated with MMR2 (n = 572); 46.7% were vaccinated in a timely manner, i.e., by 5 years of age. Cohorts born in 2004, 2005, and 2008 reported the lowest proportion. 'Mothers as caregivers' was positively associated with timely MMR2 vaccination. Although 97% of principals surveyed considered vaccination important, 48.8% were not aware of national legislation requiring complete vaccination prior to school entry. Survey results concurred with the low MMR2 administrative coverage rates reported by Saint Lucia, much lower than the recommended 95%. Conclusions Based on the results of this survey, Saint Lucia's national immunization program has lowered the age of MMR2 to 18 months in 2016, increased advocacy with schools to enforce the school-entry law, and is working to vaccinate the cohorts of children who have not received timely MMR2.

RESUMEN Objetivos Determinar con mayor precisión la cobertura y el respeto de los plazos de vacunación de la segunda dosis de la vacuna contra el sarampión, la rubéola y la parotiditis (triple viral), al tiempo que se detectan los factores asociados con la baja aceptación de esa vacuna en Santa Lucía. Métodos En octubre y noviembre del 2015 se llevó a cabo una encuesta centrada en niños nacidos entre el 2004 y el 2009. En 86 centros preescolares y primarios se seleccionó al azar a dos niños de cada grado, lo que arrojó un tamaño real de la muestra de 836 niños. Se analizaron los registros de salud para evaluar la cobertura y el respeto de los plazos de vacunación. Se entrevistó a los padres o tutores y los directores de las 86 escuelas sobre conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas en materia de vacunación. Resultados De los 767 niños incluidos, el 75% fueron vacunados con la segunda dosis de la triple viral (n = 572); el 46,7% fueron vacunados a tiempo, es decir, a los 5 años de edad. La proporción más baja se dio en las cohortes nacidas en el 2004, 2005 y 2008. Se observó que las madres cuidadoras influían positivamente en el respeto de los plazos de vacunación de la segunda dosis de la triple viral. Aunque el 97% de los directores encuestados consideraba que la vacunación era importante, el 48,8% desconocía la legislación nacional que exige la vacunación completa antes de ingresar a la escuela. Los resultados de la encuesta estaban en consonancia con las tasas bajas de cobertura administrativa de la segunda dosis de la triple viral informadas por Santa Lucía, muy por debajo del 95% recomendado. Conclusiones Según los resultados de esta encuesta, el programa nacional de vacunación de Santa Lucía redujo la edad de la segunda dosis de la triple viral a los 18 meses en el 2016, aumentó las actividades de promoción en las escuelas para fomentar el cumplimiento de la ley que obliga a recibir la vacunación antes de ingresar a la escuela y está trabajando para vacunar a las cohortes de niños que no recibieron la segunda dosis de la triple viral en su debido momento.

RESUMO Objetivos Determinar com precisão a cobertura vacinal e o momento oportuno para ministrar a segunda dose da vacina tríplice viral (sarampo, caxumba e rubéola - SCR) e identificar os fatores associados à baixa utilização da vacina em crianças. Métodos Uma pesquisa direcionada a crianças nascidas de 2004 a 2009 foi realizada em Santa Lúcia em outubro e novembro de 2015. Em 86 unidades de ensino infantil e fundamental, duas crianças de cada série foram selecionadas aleatoriamente, constituindo uma amostra efetiva de 836 crianças. Dados sobre a cobertura e o momento oportuno de vacinação foram obtidos das fichas de saúde. Foram conduzidas entrevistas com os pais e/ou responsáveis e os diretores das 86 escolas sobre conhecimento, atitudes e práticas relacionadas à vacinação. Resultados Das 767 crianças incluídas na amostra, 75% foram vacinadas com a segunda dose de SCR (n = 572) e 46,7% receberam a vacina no momento oportuno (ou seja, até os 5 anos de idade). Observou-se menor proporção de vacinados nas coortes nascidas em 2004, 2005 e 2008. "Mães como cuidadoras" teve uma associação positiva com ministrar a segunda dose de SCR no momento oportuno. Apesar de 97% dos diretores entrevistados considerarem a vacinação importante, 48,8% desconheciam a legislação nacional que exige vacinação completa para a matrícula escolar. Os resultados reforçaram a baixa cobertura vacinal da segunda dose de SCR registrada em Santa Lúcia, bem inferior ao índice recomendado de 95%. Conclusões A partir dos resultados desta pesquisa, em 2016, o programa nacional de vacinação de Santa Lúcia reduziu para 18 meses a idade de administração da segunda dose de SCR, intensificou a recomendação para que as escolas cumpram com a legislação para matrícula escolar e está empenhado em vacinar as coortes de crianças que não receberam a segunda dose de SCR no momento oportuno.

Lessons Learned From the Introduction of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine in Bangladesh.

Background: We assessed programmatic adaptations and infants' uptake of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) after its introduction into the routine immunization schedule in Bangladesh. Methods: Using convenience and probability sampling, we selected 23 health facilities, 36 vaccinators, and 336 caregivers, within 5 districts and 3 city corporations. We collected data during August-October 2015 by conducting interviews, reviewing vaccination records, and observing activities. Results: Knowledge about IPV was high among vaccinators (94%). No problems with IPV storage, transport, or waste disposal were detected, but shortages were reported in 20 health facilities (87%). Wastage per 5-dose vaccine vial was above the recommended 30% in 20 health facilities (87%); all were related to providing <5 doses per open vial. Among eligible infants, 87% and 86% received the third dose of pentavalent and oral poliovirus vaccine, respectively, but only 65% received IPV at the same visit. Among 73 infants not vaccinated with IPV, 58% of caregivers reported that vaccine was unavailable. Conclusions: Bangladesh successfully introduced IPV, but shortages related to insufficient global supply and high vaccine wastage in small outreach immunization sessions might reduce its impact on population immunity. Minimizing wastage and use of a 2-dose fractional-IPV schedule could extend IPV immunization to more children.

Resource Needs for the Trivalent Oral Polio to Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine Switch in Indonesia.

Background: We present an empirical economic cost analysis of the April 2016 switch from trivalent (tOPV) to bivalent (bOPV) oral polio vaccine at the national-level and 3 provinces (Bali, West Sumatera and Nusa Tenggara) for Indonesia's Expanded Program on Immunization. Methods: Data on the quantity and prices of resources used in the 4 World Health Organization guideline phases of the switch were collected at the national-level and in each of the sampled provinces, cities/districts, and health facilities. Costs were calculated as the sum of the value of resources reportedly used in each sampled unit by switch phase. Results: Estimated national-level costs were $46 791. Costs by health system level varied from $9062 to $34 256 at the province-level, from $4576 to $11 936 at the district-level , and from $3488 to $29 175 at the city-level. Estimated national costs ranged from $4 076 446 (Bali, minimum cost scenario) to $28 120 700 (West Sumatera, maximum cost scenario). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the majority of tPOV to bOPV switch costs were borne at the subnational level. Considerable variation in reported costs among health system levels surveyed indicates a need for flexibility in budgeting for globally synchronized public health activities.

The importance of vaccine supply chains to everyone in the vaccine world.

While the focus of many in the vaccine world has been on developing new vaccines and measuring their effects on humans, failure to understand and properly address vaccine supply chain issues can greatly reduce the impact of any vaccine. Therefore, everyone involved in vaccine decision-making may want to take into account supply chains when making key decisions. In fact, considering supply chain issues long before a vaccine reaches the market can help design vaccines and vaccine programs that better match the system. We detail how vaccine supply chains may affect the work and decision making of ten examples of different members of the vaccine community: preclinical vaccinologists, vaccine clinical trialists, vaccine package designers, health care workers, epidemiologists and disease surveillance experts, policy makers, storage equipment manufacturers, other technology developers, information system specialists, and funders. We offer ten recommendations to help decision makers better understand and address supply chains.

Exploring the acceptability of the available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in Canadian health care professionals and immunization experts.

BACKGROUND: In children, the 13 and 10-valent pneumoccocal conjugate vaccines (PCV13/10) are currently approved for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Acceptability is a key consideration in the implementation of a vaccine program and it is recognized that health professional's attitudes and opinions towards vaccines are independent predictors of the success of an immunization program. We aimed to survey the beliefs and attitudes for the two available PCVs in health care professionals and immunization experts. FINDINGS: We interviewed 21 members of Canadian immunization committees and/or participants working in frontline healthcare delivery. Overall, participants predominantly preferred PCV-13 over PCV10. For most, AOM should not be taken into considerations in decisions for pneumococcal vaccination programs implementation. AOM was considered an important endpoint of the program but an ineffective measure of program success due to the lack of surveillance for the condition. Recent evidence pertaining to PCV10 cross-protection against 19A did not affect preference but had an impact on perceptions regarding pricing. CONCLUSION: To consider implementing any changes to the current program, most participants would require more evidence regarding PCV10 cross-protection and effectiveness against OM. Decreasing vaccine price was cited as a positive outcome of funding both vaccines.