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.

Strategies for expanding childhood vaccination in the Americas following the COVID-19 pandemic / Estrategias para ampliar la vacunación infantil en la Región de las Américas después de la pandemia de COVID-19 / Estratégias para ampliar a vacinação infantil nas Américas depois da pandemia de COVID-19

[ABSTRACT]. 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.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Presentar un panorama general de la situación del calendario de vacunación infantil en la Región de las Américas, describir la estructura de los programas y encontrar estrategias actualizadas para su ejecución a fin de mejorar la cobertura de vacunación después de la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos. Un grupo de expertos en pediatría, epidemiología, vacunas y salud pública y mundial analizó la situación actual del calendario de vacunación infantil en la Región de las Américas, mediante la descripción de la estructura de los programas y la búsqueda de nuevas estrategias de ejecución capaces de mejorar la cobertura de vacunación en el contexto posterior a la pandemia de COVID-19, una vez superados los desafíos planteados por esta durante más de dos años. Resultados. En este momento, en la Región de las Américas hay un riesgo alto de reaparición de enferme- dades previamente controladas o eliminadas. En consecuencia, es importante contar con nuevas estrategias para la educación de salud de la ciudadanía sobre los riesgos asociados a las tasas bajas de vacunación, especialmente en la población infantil. Conclusiones. Es necesario contar con nuevas estrategias, acompañadas de una fuerte movilización de la población y una promoción por parte de la ciudadanía, para evitar que los grupos que generan mensajes antivacunas aumenten su presencia en la Región y pongan en peligro la credibilidad del Programa Ampliado de Inmunización.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Apresentar um panorama da situação do calendário de vacinação infantil nas Américas, definir a estrutura do programa e identificar estratégias de implementação atualizadas para melhorar a cobertura vacinal depois da pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos. Um grupo de especialistas em pediatria, epidemiologia, vacinas e saúde pública e global discutiu a situação atual do calendário de vacinação infantil nas Américas, descrevendo a estrutura dos programas e identificando novas estratégias de implementação que poderiam melhorar a cobertura vacinal no contexto pós-pandemia, na sequência dos desafios impostos pela COVID-19 durante mais de dois anos. Resultados. Atualmente, as Américas enfrentam um grande risco de ressurgimento de doenças já controla- das ou eliminadas. Desse modo, é importante identificar novas estratégias para conscientizar os cidadãos sobre os riscos decorrentes da queda das taxas de vacinação, sobretudo em crianças. Conclusões. É necessário adotar novas estratégias, aliadas a uma forte mobilização da população e pro- moção da causa pelos cidadãos, a fim de impedir que os grupos antivacinas fortaleçam sua presença na região e coloquem em risco a credibilidade do Programa Ampliado de Imunização.

Vaccination against pertussis in Latin American preterm and low-birth weight infants: experts opinion position for a neglected childhood age group.

BACKGROUND: Pertussis remains as one of the oldest leading vaccine-preventable diseases of childhood, despite many decades of primary vaccine doses' and boosters' implementation. Although the epidemiology is well understood in infants and children, premature babies and low-birth weight infants remain a special group where the disease incidence is unknown, severity of the disease is considerable, and specific vaccination recommendations are scarce. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the available evidence of pertussis vaccination in premature and low birth weight infants was analyzed from January 2000 to December 2022 in six selected countries: Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Panamá, Costa Rica, and Chile. RESULTS: Chile had reports of adverse effects associated with vaccination of premature infants with the pentavalent vaccine, and their rationale to switching to the hexavalent vaccine. Colombia had reports of the justification for the use of hexavalent vaccine in prematures in the Neonatal Units and Kangaroo Mother Programs throughout the country. Mexico had selected publications of the vaccination status in prematures and low-birth weight infants. CONCLUSION: Despite its importance, increased morbidity, and highest risk of complications in premature babies, there is a paucity of information of vaccine recommendations and coverage rates among selected Latin American infants.

Extra-legal abortion and post-abortion care knowledge, attitudes, and practices among obstetrician-gynecologist clinicians and medical residents in San José, Costa Rica: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Induced abortion in Costa Rica is illegal in all cases except to save the life of the pregnant person. Despite severe restrictions to legal abortion, individuals in Costa Rica still induce abortions outside of the formal healthcare system. These individuals and those with spontaneous abortions, also known as miscarriages, occasionally need medical care for complications. In Costa Rica, an estimated 41% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion, yet there is very little published literature exploring the perspectives of healthcare providers on abortion in Costa Rica. METHODS: We interviewed ten obstetrician-gynecologist clinicians and five obstetrician-gynecologist medical residents in San José, Costa Rica about their beliefs and practices related to extra-legal abortion and post-abortion care (PAC) using a Spanish language in-depth semi-structured interview guide. After transcription and translation into English, analysis team pairs used a combination of deductive and inductive coding to identify themes and sub-themes within the data. RESULTS: Obstetrician-gynecologist clinicians and medical residents were aware of the presence of extra-legal abortion, and particularly, medication abortion, in their communities, but less familiar with dosing for induction. They expressed the desire to provide non-judgmental care and support their patients through extra-legal abortion and PAC journeys. Study participants were most familiar with providing care to individuals with spontaneous abortions. When discussing PAC, they often spoke about a policy of reporting individuals who seek PAC following an extra-legal abortion, without commenting on whether or not they followed the guidance. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to a gap in research about the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Costa Rican obstetrician-gynecologist clinicians and medical residents around extra-legal abortion and PAC. The results reveal an opportunity to train these healthcare providers as harm reduction experts, who are able to accurately counsel individuals who are seeking abortion services outside of the healthcare system, and to provide training to improve care for individuals needing PAC.

[Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in pediatrics, its impact on Public Health]. / Vacunas conjugadas contra neumococo en pediatría, su impacto en la Salud Pública.

Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as pneumococcus) is part of the natural bacterial flora of the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa, colonizes mainly the nasopharynx, and causes this carriage to precede pneumococcal disease, thus becoming the main source of propagation among people, especially in children. Since 1983, when the first 23-component anti-pneumococcal vaccine was authorized, different conjugated vaccines have been developed according to the circulating serotypes that cause invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD), reducing the incidence and mortality of these diseases considerably. In November 2021, a group of experts held a virtual meeting to update and analyze the impact that pneumococcal vaccines have generated on the countries' public health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations that emerged included the need to look for alternatives in serotype-independent vaccines after the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) in the national immunization schedules, as well as to strengthen the surveillance of serotypes, focusing on those not included in the current vaccines. The objective of this report is to communicate the conclusions of the group of experts that in November 2021 analyzed the impact of pneumococcal vaccines on public health in the countries, in order to generate recommendations applicable in Latin America.

Latin American Initiative for Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline (LatAm-FINGERS): Study design and harmonization.

INTRODUCTION: Latin American Initiative for Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline (LatAm-FINGERS) is the first non-pharmacological multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) to prevent cognitive impairment in Latin America (LA). Our aim is to present the study design and discuss the strategies used for multicultural harmonization. METHODS: This 1-year RCT (working on a 1-year extension) investigates the feasibility of a multi-domain lifestyle intervention in LA and the efficacy of the intervention, primarily on cognitive function. An external harmonization process was carried out to follow the FINGER model, and an internal harmonization was performed to ensure this study was feasible and comparable across the 12 participating LA countries. RESULTS: Currently, 1549 participants have been screened, and 815 randomized. Participants are ethnically diverse (56% are Nestizo) and have high cardiovascular risk (39% have metabolic syndrome). DISCUSSION: LatAm-FINGERS overcame a significant challenge to combine the region's diversity into a multi-domain risk reduction intervention feasible across LA while preserving the original FINGER design.

Innovation and immunization program management: traceability and quality in Latin America and the Caribbean, laying the groundwork for a regional action plan.

INTRODUCTION: The Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE by its Spanish acronyms) is working to understand the current situation, gaps, and opportunities for traceability of the quality vaccination process in Latin America and the Caribbean. AREAS COVERED: On September 24th and 25th, a Latin American forum of experts in immunization programs was held through the Zoom platform; the topics discussed included: computerized systems for recording immunizations, vaccination programs traceability, challenges, and information systems for the integrated management of vaccination. EXPERT OPINION: Latin American countries have transitioned from having a nominal registration system to a nominal tracking system, with many of them not migrating their platforms to new technologies; therefore, the low-quality data, fragmented databases, and slow information traffic present a challenge that must be taken on.

Interrupción terapéutica del embarazo en casos de fetos anencefálicos y la objeción de conciencia: comparación entre bioética y jurisprudencia / Therapeutic Termination of Pregnancy in Cases of Anencephalic Fetuses and Conscientious Objection: Comparison Between Bioethics and Jurisprudence / Interrupção terapêutica da gravidez em fetos anencéfalos e objeção de consciência: comparação entre bioética e jurisprudência

Resumen: Si bien la interrupción terapéutica del embarazo en los casos de fetos anencefálicos ha sido ampliamente discutida, y se han llegado a conclusiones éticas que la justifican (si no existe contraindicación médica y se obtiene el consentimiento informado de la mujer), es importante reevaluar el tema. Por ello, se deben contrastar los principios bioéticos con sentencias judiciales de fenómenos jurídicos que están surgiendo en el mundo, y que pueden provocar cambios en los derechos sexuales y reproductivos. No obstante, esto no debe implicar un cambio en los argumentos bioéticos. Asimismo, debido al resurgimiento a nivel global de un conservadurismo moral, que propone un planteamiento en torno a la objeción de conciencia, se torna imperativo analizar desde la perspectiva bioética si la misma puede ser invocada en casos de interrupción terapéutica del embarazo. Para ello, se deberían ponderar los principios bioéticos y utilizar una bioética laica, pluralista y basada en ética de mínimos, la cual busque la dignidad de las personas que enfrentan una gestación de fetos anencefálicos. En ese sentido, la objeción de conciencia no debería utilizarse como instrumento para negar la atención a estas personas.

Abstract: Although the therapeutic interruption of pregnancy in cases of anencephalic fetuses has been widely discussed, and ethical conclusions have been reached that justify it (if there is no medical contraindication and the informed consent of the woman is obtained), it is important to reassess the issue. Hence, bioethical principles must be contrasted with judicial rulings on legal phenomena that are emerging in the world, and that can cause changes in sexual and reproductive rights. However, this should not imply a change in the bioethical arguments. Likewise, due to the global resurgence of moral conservatism, which proposes an approach regarding conscientious objection, it becomes imperative to analyze, from a bioethical perspective, if it can be invoked in cases of therapeutic interruption of pregnancy. To do this, bioethical principles should be weighed and a secular, pluralistic bioethics based on minimum ethics should be used, which seeks the dignity of persons facing an anencephalic fetus gestation. In this sense, conscientious objection should not be used as an instrument to deny care to these individuals.

Resumo: Embora a interrupção terapêutica da gravidez nos casos de fetos anencéfalos tenha sido amplamente discutida e tenham chegado a conclusões éticas que a justifiquem (se não houver contraindicação médica e for obtido o consentimento informado da mulher), é importante reavaliar a questão . Por isso, os princípios bioéticos devem ser contrastados com as decisões judiciais sobre fenômenos jurídicos que estão surgindo no mundo e que podem causar mudanças nos direitos sexuais e reprodutivos. No entanto, isso não deve implicar uma mudança nos argumentos bioéticos. Da mesma forma, devido ao ressurgimento global do conservadorismo moral, que propõe uma abordagem em torno da objeção de consciência, torna-se imperativo analisar na perspectiva bioética se ela pode ser invocada nos casos de interrupção terapêutica da gravidez. Para tanto, deve-se pesar os princípios bioéticos e utilizar uma bioética laica, pluralista, pautada na ética mínima, que busque a dignidade das pessoas diante da gestação de feto anencéfalo. Nesse sentido, a objeção de consciência não deve ser utilizada como instrumento para negar atenção a essas pessoas.

Epidemiological and clinical profile between influenza A and B virus in Costa Rican children.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological behavior of influenza type A versus type B and analyze if there was any correlation or differences between the characteristics of both groups. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, descriptive, and population-based study based of children who were hospitalized at the only national pediatric hospital of Costa Rica from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018 and had a confirmed influenza virus infection. RESULTS: 336 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 35,6 ± 36,7 months (3,0 ± 3,1 years). The only significant variables at 25% in relation to influenza type A or B virus were: sex, month of diagnosis, fever, vomiting, cough, use of antibiotics and admission to the PICU. The hospitalization rate at our hospital increased between the months of October to December, with a higher percentage of cases in November and December, which reveals that the "real peak" in our population begins between 3 to 4 months after the end of the vaccination campaign. Patients with influenza A virus had a 2.5 times greater risk of being admitted to the PICU. Mortality rate was 0.6% and 0% among influenza A and B children, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Variables in which a causality was found with type A or B virus were: admission to the PICU, month of diagnosis, and cough. However, influenza B clinical behavior continues to be unpredictable.

Latin American forum on immunization services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectology (SLIPE for its acronym in Spanish) is working hard to contribute with strategic actions to prevent the recurrence of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and to prevent the reduction of vaccine coverage in the region of the Americas.Areas covered: On Friday, September 25th, a Latin American forum of experts on immunization services during the COVID-19 pandemic was held through Webex platform. Issues such as: the imminent risk of occurrence and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, the importance of epidemiological surveillance and the vaccination campaign challenges, in the context of a pandemic were discussed.Expert opinion: Vaccination campaigns should no longer be postponed or delayed; instead, they must be reactivated; governments, scientific societies, and physicians must promote vaccination programs to avoid outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. On the eve of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, it is necessary to insist on the availability of sufficient doses to avoid dose shortages in disadvantaged areas of the region.

Bioethical Implications in Vaccine Development, a COVID-19 Challenge.

Introduction In the last 18 years, on three occasions, coronavirus has represented a challenge for global health. Between 2002 and 2003 with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, in 2012 with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, and since the end of 2019 with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has challenged health care models and the way of doing research, placing bioethics at the center of discussion.  Methods On August 19, 2020, a webinar organized by the Research Institute of Medical Science (IICIMED, for its acronym in Spanish), entitled 'Bioethical Implications in Vaccine Development, a COVID-19 Challenge' took place. Three experts spoke about the importance of bioethics in the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, the risk involved in shortening the terms of the clinical trial phases, and how the associated risks can be minimized, in order to expedite research results.  Conclusion With the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, critical challenges have been posed not only for public health but for research and the scientific community. A safe and effective vaccine is urgently needed to prevent COVID-19 transmission, complications, and deaths; the adherence to ethical principles required by clinical research is mandatory and closer supervision is also essential.