Opinión del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones Sociedad Chilena de Infectología: Vacuna neumocóccica conjugada en niños y la emergencia de serotipo 19A / Statement of the Advisory Immunization Committee of the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases on the emergence of serotype 19A pneumococcal infection and the use of pneumococcal conjugated vaccine in Chilean children

La incorporación de la vacuna conjugada antineumocóc-cica 10 valente (PCV10) en lactantes en Chile el año 2011 ha permitido reducir las hospitalizaciones y muertes por neumonía en este grupo etario. Sin embargo, se ha observado desde entonces un aumento progresivo de los aislados de Streptococcus pneumoniae del serotipo 19A no incluido en la vacuna en uso (de < 5% del total de cepas recibidas en el Laboratorio de Referencia Nacional del Instituto de Salud Pública para vigilancia de infecciones invasores causadas por S. pneumoniae hasta el año 2010, a 12-23% en los años 2014-2015). En lactantes, el serotipo 19A representaba 4 a 8% de los aislados en la era pre vacuna, porcentaje que se incrementa a 25% el 2014. Este aumento ha ocurrido en dos terceras partes de las regiones administrativas del país. Cepas del serotipo 19A de pacientes menores de 5 años, muestran 25% de resistencia a penicilina para aislados extra-meníngeos y casi 100% para aislados de meningitis. El análisis genético de las cepas del serotipo 19A ha demostrado que 48% pertenecen al complejo clonal 320 de carácter pandémico y asociado a resistencia antimicrobiana. Además, casi todas las infecciones invasoras por serotipo 19A en niños se han dado en pacientes con esquema completo de vacunación PCV10. Los cambios epidemiológicos presentados indican la emergencia de infecciones invasoras por el serotipo 19A y la necesidad de controlar este problema con el cambio de la vacuna PCV10 a la vacuna PCV13 que contiene el serotipo 19A.

Inclusion of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV10) in the Chilean infant vaccination Program in 2011 was followed by a reduction of hospital admissions and pneumonia-related deaths in this age group. However, a progressive increase of serotype 19A pneumococcal isolates (not included in PCV10) has been observed. According to the analysis of pneumococcal strains performed by the national reference laboratory of the Institute of Public Health as part of a national surveillance on invasive pneumococcal infections, the relative proportion of serotype 19A isolates increased from <5% before 2010 to 12-23% in years 2014-2015. Serotype 19A represented 4-8% of the isolates in the pre-vaccine era among children less than 2 years, increasing to 25% during 2014. This increase has been documented in two-thirds of the national territory. Aimong children <5 years of age, 25% of 19A serotype isolates from non-meningeal infections were penicillin resistant wheras from meningeal infections near 100% were penicillin resistant. Genetic analysis indicates that 48% of these 19A strains belong to clonal complex 320, recognized for its pandemic potential and high antimicrobial resistance. Among children, most invasive infections secondary to serotype 19A have occurred in patients fully vaccinated with PCV10. These epidemiological changes indicate an increase in invasive pneumococcal infections by serotype 19A in Chile and the need to control this problem by changing the current PCV10 for the PCV13 vaccine containing serotype 19A.

National Immunization Commission: strengthening evidence-based decision making in Argentina.

In Argentina, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunizations is represented by the National Immunization Commission (CoNaIn), an organization created by the Ministry of Health in 2000. Recently, the Argentine government has decided to prioritize vaccination as a state policy, emphasizing this strategy as a sign of social equity so CoNaIn was restructured to increase its capacity to formulate sound and evidence-based recommendations. The commission shall consist of a group of immunization experts, representatives of scientific societies, the immunization program and the Ministry of Health. Its functions include the formulation of recommendations on the introduction of vaccines into the immunization program. The recommendations are based on technical, programmatic and social criteria. This decision-making process transparent with the support and advice of experts and scientific societies and guided by available evidence decisions help strengthen the Ministry of Health immunization policy generating greater confidence and support from the population and health professionals.

Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine during pregnancy: pregnancy and infant health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pregnancy and birth outcomes in infants born to women who did or did not receive tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. Pregnant women 12-45 years of age who received Tdap at Intermountain Healthcare facilities and their infants were identified and compared with mother-infant pairs without documented Tdap from May 2005 through August 2009. Primary measures included pregnancy outcomes and infant health outcomes at birth through 12 months. RESULTS: From 162,448 pregnancies we identified 138 women (0.08%) with documented Tdap administration during pregnancy (cases); 552 pregnant women without documented Tdap were randomly selected as controls. Of 138 immunized women, 63% received Tdap in the first trimester and 37% after. Tdap was given most commonly as wound prophylaxis. The incidence of spontaneous or elective abortion was no greater in Tdap cases than in controls. There were no significant differences in preterm delivery, gestational age, or birth weight between groups. One or more congenital anomaly was identified in 3.7% (95% CI 1.2%-8.5%) of case infants and 4.4% (95% CI 2.7%-6.5%) of control infants (P = .749). In infants born to women receiving Tdap during pregnancy, 3.6% (0.8%-10.2%) had International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnoses consistent with complex chronic conditions within 12 months compared with 10.4% (95% CI 7.2%-14.4%) of infants of controls (P = .054). CONCLUSIONS: Documented Tdap administration during pregnancy was uncommon and occurred most often in the first trimester as prophylaxis following trauma. No increase in adverse outcomes was identified in infants born to women receiving Tdap compared with infants of controls.

Strengthening vaccination policies in Latin America: an evidence-based approach.

Despite many successes in the region, Latin American vaccination policies have significant shortcomings, and further work is needed to maintain progress and prepare for the introduction of newly available vaccines. In order to address the challenges facing Latin America, the Commission for the Future of Vaccines in Latin America (COFVAL) has made recommendations for strengthening evidence-based policy-making and reducing regional inequalities in immunisation. We have conducted a comprehensive literature review to assess the feasibility of these recommendations. Standardisation of performance indicators for disease burden, vaccine coverage, epidemiological surveillance and national health resourcing can ensure comparability of the data used to assess vaccination programmes, allowing deeper analysis of how best to provide services. Regional vaccination reference schemes, as used in Europe, can be used to develop best practice models for vaccine introduction and scheduling. Successful models exist for the continuous training of vaccination providers and decision-makers, with a new Latin American diploma aiming to contribute to the successful implementation of vaccination programmes. Permanent, independent vaccine advisory committees, based on the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), could facilitate the uptake of new vaccines and support evidence-based decision-making in the administration of national immunisation programmes. Innovative financing mechanisms for the purchase of new vaccines, such as advance market commitments and cost front-loading, have shown potential for improving vaccine coverage. A common regulatory framework for vaccine approval is needed to accelerate delivery and pool human, technological and scientific resources in the region. Finally, public-private partnerships between industry, government, academia and non-profit sectors could provide new investment to stimulate vaccine development in the region, reducing prices in the long term. These reforms are now crucial, particularly as vaccines for previously neglected, developing-world diseases become available. In summary, a regionally-coordinated health policy will reduce vaccination inequality in Latin America.

Melhor isso do que nada - Participação e responsabilização na gestão dos riscos do Pólo Petroquímico de Camaçari (BA) / Better this than nothing - Participation and accountability on risk management of Camaçari Petrochemical Complex, in Bahia State

O objetivo da pesquisa foi analisar o modelo adotado na construção dos conselhos comunitários consultivos. O recorte empírico trata do Conselho Comunitário de Camaçari (BA), primeiro no país e referência para a implantação de outros. Observação participante e dezessete entrevistas foram as principais fontes de dados. O conselho se constitui num sofisticado mecanismo de docilização e responsabilização pela disseminação de uma ideologia organizacional hegemônica e de modos de governança neoliberais.

This research intends to analyze the model adopted in the construction of community advisory committees. The empirical object is the Community Advisory Committee of Camaçari Complex (BA), the first one to be set up in the country and that has been used as a reference for the implementation of others. Participant observation and seventeen interviews were the main sources of data. The advisory committee constitutes itself in a sophisticated mechanism of docilization and responsabilization for the spread of an organizational hegemonic ideology and neoliberal modes of governance.