Equity in vaccine coverage in Uganda from 2000 to 2016: revealing the multifaceted nature of inequity.

BACKGROUND: This study analyses vaccine coverage and equity among children under five years of age in Uganda based on the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) dataset. Understanding equity in vaccine access and the determinants is crucial for the redress of emerging as well as persistent inequities. METHODS: Applied to the UDHS for 2000, 2006, 2011, and 2016, the Vaccine Economics Research for Sustainability and Equity (VERSE) Equity Toolkit provides a multivariate assessment of immunization coverage and equity by (1) ranking the sample population with a composite direct unfairness index, (2) generating quantitative measure of efficiency (coverage) and equity, and (3) decomposing inequity into its contributing factors. The direct unfairness ranking variable is the predicted vaccination coverage from a logistic model based upon fair and unfair sources of variation in vaccination coverage. Our fair source of variation is defined as the child's age - children too young to receive routine immunization are not expected to be vaccinated. Unfair sources of variation are the child's region of residence, and whether they live in an urban or rural area, the mother's education level, the household's socioeconomic status, the child's sex, and their insurance coverage status. For each unfair source of variation, we identify a "more privileged" situation. RESULTS: The coverage and equity of the Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus vaccine, 3rd dose (DPT3) and the Measles-Containing Vaccine, 1st dose (MCV1) - two vaccines indicative of the health system's performance - improved significantly since 2000, from 49.7% to 76.8% and 67.8% to 82.7%, respectively, and there are fewer zero-dose children: from 8.4% to 2.2%. Improvements in retaining children in the program so that they complete the immunization schedule are more modest (from 38.1% to 40.8%). Progress in coverage was pro-poor, with concentration indices (wealth only) moving from 0.127 (DPT3) and 0.123 (MCV1) in 2000 to -0.042 and -0.029 in 2016. Gains in overall equity (composite) were more modest, albeit significant for most vaccines except for MCV1: concentration indices of 0.150 (DPT3) and 0.087 (MCV1) in 2000 and 0.054 and 0.055 in 2016. The influence of the region and settings (urban/rural) of residence significantly decreased since 2000. CONCLUSION: The past two decades have seen significant improvements in vaccine coverage and equity, thanks to the efforts to strengthen routine immunization and ongoing supplemental immunization activities such as the Family Health Days. While maintaining the regular provision of vaccines to all regions, efforts should be made to alleviate the impact of low maternal education and literacy on vaccination uptake.

Regional differences in pediatric pneumococcal vaccine schedules for Indigenous children in Canada: an environmental scan.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in children under 5 years of age. Prevention of these outcomes by pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) is an important public health initiative, supported by publicly funded vaccination programs in Canada. While the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provides national recommendations for vaccination schedules, decisions on vaccination program delivery are made regionally, creating potential for variability across the country. In addition, defining the groups that are most at risk has become a complex endeavor for provinces and territories in Canada, specifically considering Indigenous children. METHODS: In this environmental scan, we reviewed policy documents, provincial/territorial and international PCV schedules, and scientific literature, and consulted with vaccination program stakeholders and experts from across the country, in order to understand the evolution of PCV vaccination guidelines and policies in Canada and identify whether and how the needs of Indigenous children are addressed. RESULTS: As of March 2023, most regions do not specify particular vaccination requirements for Indigenous children; however, three provinces identify Indigenous children as "high risk" and use varying language to recommend a four dose, rather than the routine three dose, schedule. Our results also draw attention to evidence gaps supporting a differing practice for Indigenous populations. CONCLUSIONS: Future PCV program innovation requires inclusive and clear policies as well as definitive evidence-based policies and practices in order to improve equitable population health.

[Space-time heterogeneity of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination indicators in children from BrazilHeterogeneidad espaciotemporal de los indicadores de inmunización con la vacuna triple viral en la población infantil de Brasil]. / Heterogeneidade espaço-temporal dos indicadores de imunização da vacina tríplice viral em crianças no Brasil.

Objective: To evaluate immunization coverage and dropout rates of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine across Brazilian regions. Methods: This ecological study employing a space-time approach used data from the National Immunization Program (PNI) and the Live Births Information System (SINASC). We estimated the annual variation (2014 to 2021) in immunization coverage and dropout rate of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in children aged 12 and 15 months in the 5 570 Brazilian municipalities. Statistical analysis was conducted for the municipalities contained in each Brazilian region using the space-time scan technique, considering the Poisson probabilistic model and the hypothesis that municipalities with lower immunization coverage or high dropout rates would form space-time clusters. Results: From 2014 to 2021, 38.3% and 12.9% of municipalities achieved a coverage ≥ 95.0% in the first and second doses respectively; 53.6% of municipalities had a high dropout rate (20.0% to 49.9%) and 37.2% had a very high dropout rate. The Northeast region had primary clusters for low coverage of the first (2018 to 2021) and second vaccine doses (2020 to 2021) with higher relative risks (RR) compared to other primary clusters. The RR for high dropout rate was elevated in all Brazilian regions (1.57 to 26.23). Conclusions: In some Brazilian regions, the dropout rate has been high since 2014, signaling a risk of measles resurgence. In turn, space-time analysis indicated lower vaccination coverage in 2020, suggesting the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objetivo: Evaluar la cobertura de vacunación y las tasas de incumplimiento del esquema de vacunación triple viral en las macrorregiones de Brasil. Métodos: En este estudio ecológico, con un enfoque espaciotemporal, se utilizaron datos del Programa Nacional de Inmunización y del Sistema de Información sobre Recién Nacidos Vivos. Se estimó la variación anual de la cobertura de vacunación y la tasa de incumplimiento del esquema de vacunación triple viral en niños de 12 y 15 meses en 5570 municipios brasileños (en el período 2014-2021). El análisis estadístico se realizó en el conjunto de municipios de cada macrorregión brasileña mediante la técnica de barrido espaciotemporal, con un modelo probabilístico de Poisson y con la hipótesis de que los municipios con menor cobertura de vacunación o tasas altas de incumplimiento formarían conglomerados espaciotemporales. Resultados: En el período 2014-2021, el 38,3% y el 12,9% de los municipios alcanzó una cobertura ≥95,0% para la primera y la segunda dosis de la vacuna triple viral, respectivamente; el 53,6% de los municipios tuvo una tasa de incumplimiento alta (del 20,0% al 49,9%) y el 37,2% una tasa extremadamente alta. En la zona del nordeste se observaron los conglomerados primarios de cobertura baja de la primera y la segunda dosis de la vacuna triple viral (administradas en los períodos 2018-2021 y 2020-2021, respectivamente) con un mayor riesgo relativo (RR), en comparación con los demás conglomerados primarios. Se observó un RR alto de tener una tasa elevada de incumplimiento en todas las macrorregiones de Brasil (de entre 1,57 y 26,23). Conclusiones: En algunas macrorregiones, la tasa de incumplimiento había sido elevada desde el 2014, lo cual indica un riesgo de resurgimiento del sarampión. A su vez, en el análisis espaciotemporal se observó una menor cobertura de vacunación en el 2020, lo que denota la influencia de la pandemia de COVID-19.

Strategies for expanding childhood vaccination in the Americas following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To provide an overview of the status of the childhood vaccination schedule in the Americas, outline program structures, and identify updated implementation strategies to improve vaccination coverage following the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A group of experts in pediatrics, epidemiology, vaccines, and global and public health discussed the current status of the childhood vaccination schedule in the Americas, describing the program structure and identifying new implementation strategies that have the potential to improve vaccination coverage in the post-pandemic context, after the challenges COVID-19 presented for more than two years. Results: The Americas currently face a high risk of resurgence of diseases that were previously controlled or eliminated. Therefore, it is important to find new strategies to educate citizens on the risks associated with lower vaccination rates, especially in children. Conclusions: New strategies along with strong mobilization of the population and advocacy by citizens are necessary to prevent antivaccination groups from gaining a stronger presence in the region and jeopardizing the credibility of the Expanded Program on Immunization.

[Ranking of immunization programs in Latin America, 2020Ranking dos programas de vacinação na América Latina, 2020]. / Ranking de los programas de vacunación en América Latina, 2020.

Objective: Construct a ranking of national immunization programs in Latin America in 2020 and compare it with the previous year. Methods: Eighteen national immunization programs were evaluated on the basis of public information obtained from official sites of the countries' ministries of health, the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, and local sources. The ranking was based on the 2020 vaccination schedule for different life stages, special situations, vaccination against influenza, 2019 vaccination coverage, and programmatic aspects. Results: Vaccination coverage decreased in most countries. The average regional declined in 2020, as did the scores for most countries, except Chile and Colombia. Chile leads the ranking, followed by Uruguay, Panama, and Costa Rica. Chile stands out for its full calendar, higher vaccination coverage rates, and programmatic achievements. Conclusions: The lower overall score in 2020 highlights the need to recover the Region's vaccination coverage rates. This analysis seeks to motivate countries to address pending challenges.

Objetivo: Construir e comparar o ranking dos programas nacionais de imunização (PNIs) na América Latina em 2020 com o ano anterior. Métodos: Foram avaliados 18 PNIs com base em informações públicas obtidas de sites oficiais dos ministérios da Saúde dos países, da Organização Mundial da Saúde, da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde, do Fundo das Nações Unidas para a Infância e de fontes locais. O ranking foi compilado com base no calendário de vacinação de 2020 para diferentes fases da vida, situações especiais, vacinação contra a gripe, cobertura vacinal (CV) de 2019 e aspectos programáticos. Resultados: As CVs diminuíram na maioria dos países. A pontuação média regional e a pontuação da maioria dos países também caíram em 2020, exceto no Chile e na Colômbia. O Chile lidera o ranking, seguido do Uruguai, do Panamá e da Costa Rica, e se destaca por ter um calendário completo, maiores CVs e êxitos programáticos. Conclusões: A pontuação global mais baixa em 2020 destaca a necessidade de recuperar a CV da região. Esta análise busca motivar os países a enfrentar os desafios pendentes.

Temporal and spatial distribution trends of polio vaccine coverage in less than one-year old children in Brazil, 2011-2021.

BACKGROUND: Low polio vaccine coverage can result in the spread of Poliovirus to areas free from viral circulation. This study analyzed the temporal trends and spatial distribution of polio vaccine coverage in one year-old children in Brazil, between 2011 and 2021. METHODS: This was an ecological, time-series study (2011 to 2021) with annual vaccine coverages against poliomyelitis, extracted from the Information System of the National Immunization Program from the 26 States and the Distrito Federal (DF). The percentage reductions in vaccination coverage in Brazil and in the Regions were calculated. Prais-Winsten regression models were used to analyze time series for the Regions and States, and spatial analysis identified the distribution of clusters (high-high; low-low; high-low and low-high) of vaccination coverages across Brazilian municipalities, using a 5% significance level. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2021, the coverage of polio vaccines decreased by 29,9%. There was a progressive increase observed in clusters resulting in low vaccination coverages (140 low-low Brazilian municipalities in 2011 vs. 403 in 2021), mostly reported in the North and Northeast regions of the country. There was a downward trend in vaccination coverages in 24 of the 26 States and DF (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in polio vaccine coverage, as observed in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, may favor the spread of Poliovirus. Therefore, vaccination strategies should be prioritized for children residing in areas with sharp and recurrent declines in vaccination coverages, including travelers, migrants, and refugees.

Recommendations for modernizing infant vaccination schedules with combination vaccines in Colombia and Peru.

The objective of this article was to consider the vaccination challenges in Colombia and Peru and the role of pediatric combination vaccines in overcoming these challenges. Barriers to including new vaccines with more antigens remain apparent in parts of these countries, where vaccine-preventable diseases in infants continue to be a major problem. The challenges include the heterogeneity of vaccine coverage within each country and in neighboring countries, which can contribute to poor rates of vaccination coverage; the adverse impact of the inward migration of unvaccinated individuals, which has favored the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases; vaccine shortages; and the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and the associated shifts in health care resources. To improve the coverage of pediatric vaccines in Colombia and Peru, it will be necessary to ensure the widespread integration into vaccine schedules of combination vaccines containing diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B antigens with a three-dose primary series delivered at 2, 4 and 6 months of age followed by a booster at 18 months of age. Such vaccines play important roles in preventing diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; eradicating polio; and providing boosting against H. influenzae type b.

El objetivo de este artículo es considerar los desafíos que se enfrentan en Colombia y Perú con respecto a la vacunación y el papel de las vacunas combinadas pediátricas para superar estos desafíos. Los obstáculos para incluir vacunas nuevas con más antígenos siguen siendo evidentes en algunos lugares de estos países, donde las enfermedades prevenibles por vacunación en menores de 1 año continúan siendo un grave problema. Entre los desafíos se incluye la heterogeneidad de la cobertura de vacunación en cada país y en los países vecinos, lo que puede contribuir con que se registren tasas bajas de cobertura de vacunación; el impacto adverso de la migración interna de personas no vacunadas, lo que ha favorecido la reaparición de enfermedades prevenibles por vacunación; la escasez de vacunas, y el impacto de la pandemia del coronavirus de tipo 2 causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave (SARS-CoV-2) y los consiguientes cambios en los recursos de atención médica. Para mejorar la cobertura de las vacunas pediátricas en Colombia y Perú será necesario integrar de manera generalizada en los calendarios de vacunación vacunas combinadas con antígenos de difteria, tétanos, tos ferina acelular, poliovirus inactivados, Haemophilus influenzae tipo b y hepatitis B con una serie primaria de tres dosis administradas a los 2, 4 y 6 meses de edad, seguida de un refuerzo a los 18 meses de edad. Esas vacunas desempeñan un papel esencial en la prevención de la difteria, el tétanos y la tos ferina; la erradicación de la polio; y el refuerzo contra H. influenzae tipo b.

O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar os desafios da vacinação na Colômbia e no Peru e o papel das vacinas pediátricas combinadas na superação de tais desafios. Os obstáculos para incluir novas vacinas com mais antígenos permanecem visíveis em partes desses países, onde doenças imunopreveníveis em lactentes continuam a ser um grande problema. Os desafios incluem a heterogeneidade da cobertura vacinal dentro de cada país e nos países vizinhos, o que pode contribuir para baixas taxas de cobertura vacinal; o impacto adverso da migração interna de pessoas não vacinadas, o que favoreceu o ressurgimento de doenças imunopreveníveis; a escassez de vacinas; e o impacto da pandemia de síndrome respiratória aguda grave do coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) e mudanças relacionadas nos recursos de atenção à saúde. Para melhorar a cobertura das vacinas pediátricas na Colômbia e no Peru, será necessário assegurar sua integração generalizada em esquemas de vacinas combinadas contendo antígenos de difteria, tétano, pertussis acelular, poliovírus inativado, Haemophilus influenzae tipo B e hepatite B, com uma série primária de três doses aplicadas aos 2, 4 e 6 meses de idade seguidas de um reforço aos 18 meses de idade. Tais vacinas desempenham papéis importantes na prevenção da difteria, tétano e coqueluche; na erradicação da poliomielite; e no reforço contra H. influenzae tipo b.

Vaccine Effectiveness Following Routine Immunization With Bivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: Protection Against Incident Genital HPV Infections From a Reduced-Dosing Schedule.

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, the bivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been offered to preadolescent girls via the National Immunization Program in a 2-dose schedule since 2014. The current study estimates vaccine effectiveness (VE) against HPV infections up to 4 years postvaccination among girls eligible for routine 2-dose immunization. METHODS: A cohort study (HAVANA2) was used in which participants annually filled out an online questionnaire and provided a vaginal self-sample for determination of HPV by the SPF10-LiPA25 assay, able to detect 25 HPV types. VE against incident type-specific infections and pooled outcomes was estimated by a Cox proportional hazards model with shared frailty between the HPV types. RESULTS: In total, 2027 girls were included in the study, 1098 (54.2%) of whom were vaccinated with 2 doses. Highest incidence rate was 5.0/1000 person-years (HPV-51) among vaccinated participants and 9.1/1000 person-years (HPV-74) among unvaccinated participants. Adjusted pooled VE was 84.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.0%-96.5%) against incident HPV-16/18 infections and 86.5% (95% CI, 39.5%-97.08%) against cross-protective types HPV-31/33/45. CONCLUSIONS: Four years postvaccination, 2 doses of bivalent HPV vaccine were effective in the prevention of incident HPV-16/18 infections and provided cross-protection to HPV-31/33/45. Our VE estimates rival those from 3-dose schedules, indicating comparable protection by 2-dose schedules.

Comparison of immune responses induced by two or three doses of an alum-adjuvanted inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in mice.

Waning antibodies and rapidly emerging variants are challenges for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine development. Adjusting existing immunization schedules and further boosting strategies are under consideration. Here, the immune responses induced by an alum-adjuvanted inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in mice were compared among immunization schedules with two or three doses. For the two-dose schedule, a 0-28-day schedule induced 5-fold stronger spike-specific IgG responses than a 0-14-day schedule, with only a slight elevation of spike-specific cellular immunity 14 days after the last immunization. A third homologous boost 2 or 5 months after the second dose for the 0-28-day schedule slightly strengthened humoral responses (1.3-fold for the 0-1-3-month schedule, and 1.8-fold for the 0-1-6-month schedule) 14 days after the last immunization. Additionally, a third homologous boost (especially with the 0-1-3-month schedule) induced significantly stronger cell-mediated immunity than both two-dose immunization schedules for all indexes tested, with a response similar to that induced by a one-dose heterologous boost with BNT162b2 in clinical trials, according to cellular immunity analysis (1.5-fold). These T cell responses were Th2 oriented, with good CD4+ and CD8+ memory. These results may offer clues for applying a homologous boosting strategy for alum-adjuvanted inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Overview of the United States' Immunization Program.

This manuscript describes the history, background, and current structure of the United States Immunization Program, founded upon public- and private-sector partnerships that include federal agencies, state and local health departments, tribal nations and organizations, healthcare providers, vaccine manufacturers, pharmacies, and a multitude of additional stakeholders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sets the U.S. adult and childhood immunization schedules based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. We review the current immunization schedules; describe the set of surveillance and other systems used to monitor the health impact, coverage levels, and safety of recommended vaccines; and note significant challenges. Vaccines have reduced the incidence of many diseases to historic lows in the US, and have potential to further reduce the burden of respiratory and other infectious diseases in the United States. Though the United States vaccination program has had notable successes in reducing morbidity and mortality from infectious disease, challenges-including disparities in access and vaccine hesitancy-remain. Supporting access to and confidence in vaccines as an essential public health intervention will not only protect individuals from vaccine-preventable diseases; it will also ensure the country is prepared for the next pandemic.

[Vaccination, a public health tool]. / La vaccination, un outil de santé publique.

Vaccination remains a major public health tool, the only one that has enabled the eradication of an infectious disease, smallpox. In this fight, biotechnological innovations point to considerable progress in the development of new vaccines. However, whatever technical progress is made, the impact of a vaccination program will depend on its performance and on the support of the population.

Immunogenicity of 2 and 3 Doses of the Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine up to 120 Months Postvaccination: Follow-up of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Several countries have implemented a 2-dose (2D) human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination schedule for adolescents based on immunobridging studies. We compared immunogenicity of 2D vs 3-dose (3D) schedules of the quadrivalent vaccine (4vHPV) up to 10 years after the first dose. METHODS: Girls aged 9-13 years were randomized to receive 2D or 3D and were compared with women aged 16-26 receiving 3D at day 1 and months 7, 24, and 120 after the first dose. Antibody levels for HPV6/11/16/18 were evaluated using the competitive Luminex immunoassay (cLIA) and total immunoglobulin G assay. Geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seropositivity rates were compared between the different groups at different time points. Noninferiority of GMT ratios was defined as the lower bound of the 2-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) being greater than 0.5. Kinetics of antibody titers over time among study groups were examined. RESULTS: At 120 months, data from 35 2D girls, 38 3D girls, and 30 3D women were used for analyses. cLIA seropositivity rates were above 95% for all HPV vaccine types and all schedules, except HPV18, with the lowest seropositivity observed among 3D women (60.0%; 95% CI, 40.6%-77.3%). GMT ratios (cLIA) for both 2D and 3D girls were noninferior to 3 doses in women for HPV6/11/16/18. Trends were comparable between assays. CONCLUSIONS: GMTs for HPV6/11/16/18 after 2D or 3D of 4vHPV in girls were noninferior to 3D in adult women up to 120 months postvaccination. This study demonstrates long-term immunogenicity of the 2D HPV vaccine schedule.

Comparison of the long-term impact and clinical outcomes of fewer doses and standard doses of human papillomavirus vaccine in the United States: A database study.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality, and this underscores the need to increase HPV vaccination to reduce the burden of the disease. The objective of this study was to examine the association between the number of HPV vaccine doses and the risk of histologically confirmed preinvasive cervical disease and high-grade cytology. METHODS: This retrospective matched cohort study used administrative data from Optum's Clinformatics DataMart Database to identify females aged 9 to 26 years who received 1 or more quadrivalent HPV vaccine doses between January 2006 and June 2015. Cases and controls were matched on region, age, sexually transmitted disease history, and pregnancy. All had a Papanicolaou test ≥1 year after the date of the matched case's final dose. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between the number of HPV vaccine doses and the incidence of preinvasive cervical disease and high-grade cytology. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative incidence rate at the 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 133,082 females (66,541 vaccinated and 66,541 unvaccinated) stratified by the number of HPV vaccine doses and the vaccine initiation age. Among those aged 15 to 19 years, the hazard ratio (HR) for high-grade cytology for the 3-dose group was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.97), whereas the HRs for histologically confirmed preinvasive cervical disease for 1, 2, and 3 doses were 0.64 (95% CI, 0.47-0.88), 0.72 (95% CI, 0.54-0.95), and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.55-0.80), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The receipt of 1, 2, or 3 doses of an HPV vaccine by females aged 15 to 19 years was associated with a lower incidence of preinvasive cervical disease in comparison with unvaccinated females, and this supports the use of any HPV vaccination in reducing the burden of the disease.

Practical Guide to Vaccination in All Stages of CKD, Including Patients Treated by Dialysis or Kidney Transplantation.

Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those receiving maintenance dialysis or with a kidney transplant. Although responses to vaccines are impaired in these populations, immunizations remain an important component of preventative care due to their favorable safety profiles and the high rate of infection in these patients. Most guidelines for patients with CKD focus on the importance of the hepatitis B, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines in addition to age-appropriate immunizations. More data are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of these immunizations and others in this population and define optimal dosing and timing for administration. Studies have suggested that there may be a benefit to immunization before the onset of dialysis or transplantation because patients with early-stage CKD generally have higher rates of seroconversion. Because nephrologists often serve as primary care physicians for patients with CKD, it is important to understand the role of vaccinations in the preventive care of this patient population.

Compliance with the guidelines on recommended immunization schedule in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: implications on public health policies.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of developing opportunistic infections due to either the disease itself or to treatment with immunosuppressants. This risk can be reduced through vaccination. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of compliance with the guidelines on recommended immunization schedule in patients with IBD in the health district of Lleida, Spain. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study of data at December 31, 2016. The reference population was formed by adults with a clinical diagnosis of IBD. The dependent variable was "compliance with the guidelines on recommended immunization schedule". Variables were sex, age, residence, diagnosis, vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus-diphtheria, influenza, pneumococcus, meningococcus C, hepatitis B, and hepatitis A. Data were obtained from electronic medical records. For the data analysis, mean (standard deviation), prevalence with 95% confidence intervals, χ2 test and Mann-Whitney test were used. RESULTS: Compliance did not exceed 65% for any of vaccines analysed in the 1722 studied patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Significant differences across age groups were found in compliance for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria and influenza in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and for meningococcus C and hepatitis A exclusively in ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance in patients with IBD is low. Thus, prevention of immunopreventable diseases or their complications is not maximized in this kind of patients. Greater awareness of how vaccines can reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable infections is needed among both patients and healthcare professionals.

Evaluation of the Impact of Meningococcal Serogroup A Conjugate Vaccine Introduction on Second-Year-of-Life Vaccination Coverage in Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: After successful meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine (MACV) campaigns since 2010, Burkina Faso introduced MACV in March 2017 into the routine Expanded Programme for Immunization schedule at age 15-18 months, concomitantly with second-dose measles-containing vaccine (MCV2). We examined MCV2 coverage in pre- and post-MACV introduction cohorts to describe observed changes regionally and nationally. METHODS: A nationwide household cluster survey of children 18-41 months of age was conducted 1 year after MACV introduction. Coverage was assessed by verification of vaccination cards or recall. Two age groups were included to compare MCV2 coverage pre-MACV introduction (30-41 months) versus post-MACV introduction (18-26 months). RESULTS: In total, 15 925 households were surveyed; 7796 children were enrolled, including 3684 30-41 months of age and 3091 18-26 months of age. Vaccination documentation was observed for 86% of children. The MACV routine coverage was 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56%-61%) with variation by region (41%-76%). The MCV2 coverage was 62% (95% CI, 59%-65%) pre-MACV introduction and 67% (95% CI, 64%-69%) post-MACV introduction, an increase of 4.5% (95% CI, 1.3%-7.7%). Among children who received routine MACV and MCV2, 93% (95% CI, 91%-94%) received both at the same visit. Lack of caregiver awareness about the 15- to 18-month visit and vaccine unavailability were common reported barriers to vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: A small yet significant increase in national MCV2 coverage was observed 1 year post-MACV introduction. The MACV/MCV2 coadministration was common. Findings will help inform strategies to strengthen second-year-of-life immunization coverage, including to address the communication and vaccine availability barriers identified.

Today's vaccination policies in Italy: The National Plan for Vaccine Prevention 2017-2019 and the Law 119/2017 on the mandatory vaccinations.

The National Plan for Vaccine Prevention 2017-2019 has expanded the vaccination offer including new vaccines, enlarging the target population and introducing for the first time in Italy a life-course approach to vaccination. A "lifetime immunization schedule" is aimed to reduce the burden and the related costs of vaccine-preventable diseases through effective vaccination programs. However, to counteract the national steady downward trend in the uptake of vaccinations that caused a drop of the vaccination coverage below the 95% threshold to allow herd immunity, it was decided to make 10 vaccinations mandatory by the law 119/2017. In particular, in addition to already mandatory vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B and poliomyelitis, those against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella, pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) were added to the list. According to the law, all unvaccinated children cannot attend preschool services until the age of 6 years and fines (from 100 to 500 Euros) are provided for parents. Moreover, this law provided, in its first application, a catch-up campaign for children up to the age of 16 years and the free-of-charge offer of all mandatory and recommended vaccines to each child not yet vaccinated according to the previous NPVP. The NPVP includes also several at risk categories, such as pregnant women, healthcare workers and subjects suffering from chronic diseases, to whom specific vaccinations, free of charge, are offered. The vaccinations of pregnant women have different purposes. In order to decrease the pertussis risk in newborns in the first months of life, a booster immunization of DTPa is recommended, at every pregnancy, between week 27th and 36th. Instead, the influenza vaccine administration to pregnant women during the second or third quarter is mainly aimed to avoid the risk of serious disease complications for both the mother and the fetus. Another group of at risk subjects included in the NPVP is that made up by healthcare workers. According to the plan, "an adequate immunization of the healthcare workers is essential for the prevention and control of infections (anti-hepatitis B, anti-influenza, anti-measles-mumps-rubella, anti-varicella, anti-pertussis)". Finally, almost all the vaccinations foreseen by the NPVP are offered free of charge to subjects suffering from specific diseases. These include cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, neoplastic, renal and metabolic disorders, in addition to immunosuppression that exposes them to an increased risk of contracting invasive infectious diseases.

Methods for addressing "innocent bystanders" when evaluating safety of concomitant vaccines.

PURPOSE: The need to develop methods for studying the safety of childhood immunization schedules has been recognized by the Institute of Medicine and Department of Health and Human Services. The recommended childhood immunization schedule includes multiple vaccines in a visit. A key concern is safety of concomitant (same day) versus separate day vaccination. This paper addresses a methodological challenge for observational studies using a self-controlled design to investigate the safety of concomitant vaccination. METHODS: We propose a process for distinguishing which of several concomitantly administered vaccines is responsible for increased risk of an adverse event while adjusting for confounding due to relationships between effect modifying risk factors and concomitant vaccine combinations. We illustrate the approach by re-examining the known increase in risk of seizure 7 to 10 days after measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination and evaluating potential independent or modifying effects of other vaccines. RESULTS: Initial analyses suggested that DTaP had both an independent and potentiating effect on seizure. After accounting for the relationship between age at vaccination and vaccine combination, there was little evidence for increased risk of seizure with same day administration of DTaP and MMR; incidence rate ratio, 95% confidence interval 1.2 (0.9-1.6), P value = Î¸.226. CONCLUSION: We have shown that when using a self-controlled design to investigate safety of concomitant vaccination, it can be critically important to adjust for time-invariant effect modifying risk factors, such as age at time of vaccination, which are structurally related to vaccination patterns due to recommended immunization schedules.

U.S. Primary Care Clinics' Experiences During Introduction of the 9-Valent HPV Vaccine.

Changes in the routine immunization schedule are common and may pose challenges to primary care clinics. We sought to assess the experiences of U.S. providers and clinic staff during the introduction of 9-valent HPV vaccine. In 2015-2016, we conducted a survey in a probability sample of 127 pediatric (40%) and family medicine (60%) clinics in three U.S. states. The 211 respondents included clinicians (63%) and staff (37%). Overall, 83% of clinics stocked 9-valent HPV vaccine, with adoption ranging from 60% among early respondents to 100% among later respondents. Almost all respondents believed that providers in their clinics would recommend the 9-valent vaccine as strongly as (66%) or more strongly than (33%) the quadrivalent vaccine. Over half (61%) had no concerns about the 9-valent vaccine, while others reported concerns about increased parental hesitancy (29%), private insurance coverage (17%), or other issues (10%). Respondents from pediatric versus family medicine clinics more often reported a concern (OR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.02-4.15). Among the 169 respondents who stocked 9-valent vaccine, about half (56%, n = 94) anticipated that providers in their clinics would recommend a "booster" dose of 9-valent HPV vaccine for adolescents who had completed the 3-dose series with prior versions. Among the 42 respondents who did not stock 9-valent vaccine, few (17%, n = 7) believed providers would recommend adolescents delay vaccination until it was available. In conclusion, providers and staff generally had positive views of 9-valent HPV vaccine and many had no concerns. For others, responses regarding parental hesitancy, insurance coverage, and the use of booster doses suggests opportunities for enhancing future educational support.

Operationalizing outcome measures of human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: When examining vaccination coverage, researchers must make decisions about how to define outcome measures based on many factors, including the timing of doses. Different operationalizations of the same outcome can often lead to different findings and can affect the ability to make comparisons across studies. This methodological article aimed to illustrate the implications of two options for operationalizing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination based on timing: initiation of the first dose at any age vs before the 13th birthday (on time). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational design. METHODS: The 2014 National Immunization Survey for Teens (N = 16,439 adolescents aged 13-17 years) was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression for each outcome measure and effect modification by gender. RESULTS: Age was positively associated with initiation at any age but negatively associated with on-time initiation. Gender modified the effect of race/ethnicity for both measures of initiation, but the pattern across groups was different for the two outcomes. Gender modified the effect of provider recommendation for initiation at any age, while gender modified the effects of age and region for on-time initiation. CONCLUSION: Decisions of how to operationalize outcomes of HPV vaccine initiation among adolescents can lead to different conclusions about the role of age and gender differences for several predictive variables. To inform the development of public health efforts that promote on-time HPV vaccination among male and female adolescents, researchers should consider the importance of dose timing when operationalizing outcome measures. We recommend including on-time receipt of the HPV vaccine as an outcome measure.