Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on routine childhood vaccination coverage rates in Catalonia (Spain): a public health register-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the lockdown measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood vaccination coverage rates in Catalonia (Spain) and to estimate its recovery once the progressive return to 'normalcy' had begun. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a public health register-based study. METHODS: Routine childhood vaccination coverage rates were analysed in three periods: a first pre-lockdown period (from January 2019 to February 2020), a second lockdown period with full restrictions (from March 2020 to June 2020), and, finally, a third post-lockdown period with partial restrictions (from July 2020 to December 2021). RESULTS: During the lockdown period, most of the coverage rates remained stable, concerning the pre-lockdown period; however, when comparing the vaccination coverage rates in the post-lockdown period to the pre-lockdown period, we observed decreases in all types of vaccines and doses analysed, except for coverage with the PCV13 vaccine in 2-year-olds, which experienced an increase. The most relevant reductions were observed in measles-mumps-rubella and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccination coverage rates. CONCLUSIONS: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an overall decline in routine childhood vaccine coverage rates, and the pre-pandemic rates have not yet been recovered. Immediate and long-term support strategies must be maintained and strengthened to restore and sustain routine childhood vaccination.

Comprehensive approach to costing cervical cancer prevention and control: a case study in the United Republic of Tanzania using the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Costing (C4P) tool.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a costing tool, the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Costing (C4P) tool, to estimate the comprehensive cost of cervical cancer primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in low- and middle-income countries. The tool was piloted in the United Republic of Tanzania, a country with a high incidence of cervical cancer with 62.5 cases per 100,000 women in 2020. This paper presents the costing tool methods as well as the results from the pilot in Tanzania. METHODS: The C4P tool estimates the incremental costs of cervical cancer prevention and control programmes. It estimates the financial (monetary costs to the government) and economic costs (opportunity costs). For the pilot, the study team collected data on costs and programme assumptions for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of 14-year-old girls and scaling up of cervical cancer screening (visual inspection with acetic acid and HPV-DNA testing) and treatment for women for 2020-2024. Assumptions were made on how vaccination coverage would increase over the 5 years as well as developing additional screening and treatment capacity through health personnel training and infrastructure strengthening. RESULTS: The total financial and economic costs of the comprehensive programme during 2020-2024 are projected to be US$68 million and US$124 million, respectively. The financial and economic costs of a fully immunized girl with HPV vaccine are estimated to be US$6.68 and US$17.31, respectively, while the costs per woman screened for cervical cancer are, on average, US$4.02 and US$5.83, respectively; US$6.44 and US$9.37 for pre-cancer treatment, respectively; and US$101 and US$107 for diagnosis of invasive cancer, respectively. The cost of treating and managing invasive cancer range from US$7.05 and US$7.83 for outpatient palliative care to US$800.21 and US$893.80 for radiotherapy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The C4P costing tool can assist national cervical cancer programmes to estimate monetary resources needed as well as opportunity costs of reducing national cervical cancer incidence through primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.

Medical specialists' attitudes and practices towards childhood vaccination: a qualitative study in Armenia.

BACKGROUND: Childhood vaccination rates in Armenia are high. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that some health workers may advise against vaccination. The extent and reasons behind this are unknown. This study used the World Health Organization Tailoring Immunization Programmes approach to investigate medical specialists' vaccination practices. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 medical specialists (paediatricians, immunologists, neonatologists, neurologists, gynaecologists). Interviews explored their vaccination practices (recommending/administering), knowledge, attitudes and confidence. Data were analysed using the Framework approach and COM (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation) factors. FINDINGS: Medical specialists were routinely consulted by parents about vaccination. They engaged in conversations, even if they did not administer vaccinations and lacked expertise. Vaccination recommendation was "selective", influenced by their own vaccine hesitancy. Doctors administering vaccination used false contraindications to postpone vaccination. Multiple barriers and drivers to positive vaccination practices were evident, with differences between specialists administering/not administering vaccinations. Capability Drivers were knowledge of vaccination, vaccines, and vaccine-preventable diseases; with awareness and use of protocols for adverse events and contraindications (those with a vaccination role). Barriers were a lack of a detailed understanding of vaccination, vaccines, and vaccine-preventable diseases, especially amongst neonatologists and gynaecologists, and for HPV. Poor knowledge of adverse events and mixed knowledge of contraindications was evident, as was low confidence about conversations with parents declining vaccination. Opportunity Drivers were using "official" guidance and professional information and feeling protected by the Government of Armenia should an adverse event occur. Conversely, barriers were a reliance on media/social media without considering credibility, peers not recommending vaccination, increasing parent demands and not feeling protected by the Government. Motivation Drivers were seeing vaccination as their responsibility (those who administer vaccinations); and generally supporting vaccination. Barriers were vaccine hesitancy, some anti-vaccination sentiments amongst neonatologists and gynaecologists and not seeing vaccination as their role (those who do not administer vaccinations). CONCLUSIONS: Applying a theory-informed approach allowed us to identify critical issues and possible solutions. High vaccination coverage may disguise underlying issues, e.g. false contraindications. We addressed gaps in the literature, with our geographical focus and study of medical specialists advising parents on vaccination, a widely used practice in this sub-region.

Understanding vaccine acceptance and demand-and ways to increase them.

Vaccination saves millions of lives, and the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region celebrated record high coverage in 2018. Still, national or sub-national coverage is insufficient to stop the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. Health authorities are increasingly aware of the need to prioritize the "demand" side of vaccination. Achieving high and equitable vaccination uptake in all population groups is not a quick-fix; it requires long-term investment in multifaceted interventions, informed by research with the target groups. The WHO focuses on both individual and context determinants of vaccination behaviours. Individual determinants include risk perceptions, (dis)trust and perceived constraints; insights from psychology help us understand these. Context determinants include social norms, socioeconomic status and education level, and the way health systems are designed, operate and are financed. The WHO recommends using a proven theoretical model to understand vaccination behaviours and has adapted the "COM­B model" for their Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP) approach. This adapted model is described in the article. Informed by insights into the factors affecting vaccination behaviours, interventions and policies can be planned to increase vaccination uptake. Some evidence exists on proven methods to do this. At the individual level, some interventions have been seen to increase vaccination uptake, and experimental studies have assessed how certain messages or actions affect vaccination perceptions. At the context level, there is more documentation for effective strategies, including those that focus on making vaccination the easy, convenient and default behaviour and that focus on the interaction between caregivers and health workers.

Trends of inequalities in childhood immunization coverage among children aged 12-23 months in Kenya, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: Immunization is one of the most cost-effective health intervention to halt the spread of childhood diseases, and improve child health. Yet, there is a substantial disparity in childhood immunization coverage. The overall objective of the study is to investigate the trends of within-country inequalities in childhood immunization coverage among children aged 12-23 months in Kenya, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire. The three countries included in this study are countries that are on the verge of entering the accelerated phase of the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's co-sharing of costs of vaccine and eventually assuming full costs of vaccines. Côte d'Ivoire is in the Gavi preparatory transition phase, entering the accelerated transition phase in 2020, with an expected transition to full self-financing in 2025. Ghana is expected to enter the accelerated transition phase in 2021 and to full self-financing in 2026 while Kenya will enter in 2022 and fully self-finance in 2027. We examine the pattern of inequality in childhood immunization coverage over time through an equity lens by mainly exploring the direction of inequality in coverage. METHODS: We use data from the Demographic Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. The rate difference, rate ratio, and relative concentration index are used as measures of inequality. RESULTS: Results of the study suggest that in most years inequality in immunization coverage in the three countries persist over time, and it favors the most-advantaged households. However, there is a sharp decrease pattern in inequalities in childhood immunization coverage in Ghana over time. CONCLUSION: Policymakers could be more strategic in addressing pro-rich inequality in immunization coverage by designing health interventions through an equity lens. Using inequality data and putting disadvantaged households at the center of health intervention designs could increase the efficiency of the primary health care system and reduce the incidence of mortality and morbidity as a result of vaccine-preventable disease.

Exploring childhood immunization among undocumented migrants in Sweden - following qualitative study and the World Health Organizations Guide to Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP).

OBJECTIVES: National vaccination coverage in Sweden is high. Recurrent outbreaks of measles and rubella however highlight some immunity gaps in the population. Current knowledge about immunization status of undocumented migrant children is scant. The World Health Organization/Europe has developed the Guide to Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP) to assist countries in diagnosing barriers and motivators to vaccination in communities with low vaccination coverage. Based on the TIP guide, the objective of this study was to explore determinants to vaccination among undocumented immigrants, using qualitative approach. STUDY DESIGN: The study consisted of three steps: (i) an initial workshop for problem statement; (ii) qualitative research for increased understanding of the vaccination practices of children in the undocumented community; and (iii) a second workshop to incorporate the qualitative interview findings together with data from key stakeholders into a conceptual framework. METHODS: This was a qualitative study featuring interviews of seven undocumented parents recruited at non-governmental clinics, three nurses at Child Health Centers, and information from key stakeholders retrieved at workshops as part of the TIP process. RESULTS: The content analysis revealed two main themes: parental fear of being questioned and parental acceptance of child immunization. Undocumented parents had a positive view and attitude toward childhood immunization but expressed strong fear of being asked for identification papers at healthcare facilities. Owing to lack of knowledge on entitlements of the undocumented among health personnel, parents were incorrectly rejected when seeking care for their children. Frequent mobility among undocumented may limit access to complete the immunization schedule. Undocumented parents mistrust healthcare providers and avoid health facilities, further delaying childrens' access to health care, including immunization services. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study confirm the complexity of barriers that undocumented parents face regarding childhood immunization. The TIP guide offers a valuable process for a deeper understanding of the determinants of immunization challenges among undocumented migrants.

[Predictions of three mathematical models related with the COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy in Spain. June 2021.] / Predicciones de tres modelos matemáticos en relación a la estrategia de vacunación frente a la COVID-19 en España. Junio de 2021.

The Ministry of Health has coordinated three studies that have estimated the impact of the COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy in Spain. The models aim to help how to establish priority population groups for vaccination, in an initial context of dose limitation. With the same epidemiological and vaccine information, the results of this three different mathematical models point in the same direction: combined with physical distancing, staggered vaccination, starting with the high risk groups, would prevent 60% of infections, 42% of hospitalizations and 60% of mortality in the population. These models, which can be adapted to the new available scientific evidence, are dynamic and powerful tools for the evaluation and adjustment of immunization programs, promoting research on this field, and helping to achieve more efficient results in health.

El Ministerio de Sanidad ha coordinado tres estudios que han estimado el impacto de la Estrategia de Vacunación frente a COVID-19 en España. El objetivo era que los modelos ayudaran a establecer los grupos de población prioritarios para la vacunación, en un contexto inicial de limitación de dosis. A partir de la misma información epidemiológica y de vacunas se han elaborado tres modelos matemáticos distintos cuyos resultados apuntan en la misma dirección: combinada con el distanciamiento físico, la vacunación escalonada, empezando por los grupos de mayor riesgo de complicaciones, evitaría el 60% de las infecciones, el 42% de las hospitalizaciones y el 60% de la mortalidad en la población. Estos modelos, que pueden adaptarse a la nueva evidencia científica disponible, son herramientas dinámicas y potentes para la evaluación y el ajuste de los programas de vacunación, impulsando el desarrollo de este campo de investigación, y ayudando a lograr resultados más eficientes en salud.

Design and implementation of tailored intervention to increase vaccine acceptance in a Somali community in Stockholm, Sweden - based on the Tailoring Immunization Programmes approach.

Objectives: Sweden has had a high and stable vaccination coverage for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine (>96%) through the national immunization program (NIP), but coverage rates highlight local pockets of lower vaccination coverage. This project addressed low MMR vaccine acceptance among parents in a Somali community, in Stockholm. The objective of the intervention was to increase vaccine confidence and MMR-vaccine uptake and also to inform practices addressing vaccine acceptance. Study design: This paper describes the design and implementation of a multi-component intervention based on the Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP) approach, developed by the WHO European Regional Office. Methods: The theoretical underpinning of TIP is the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Model (COM-B model) and Behaviour Change Wheel framework (BCW), adapted for vaccination. The COM-model was used to identify barriers and drivers to vaccination and intervention types. The TIP-phases described in this paper are: pre-TIP (planning), three succeeding TIP phases (situational analysis, formative research, intervention design) and the post-TIP phase (implementation). Results: The situation analysis and formative research revealed that parents feared the MMR vaccine due to autism or that their child would stop talking following vaccination, despite lack of scientific evidence for an association between autism and MMR vaccines. Barriers were linked to their associated COM-B factors and mapped to appropriate intervention types for two target groups: Somali parents and nurses at the Child Health Centres (CHC). Selected intervention types targeting parents were education, persuasion and modelling whereas education and training were selected for CHC nurses. The intervention activities included community engagement for parents, while the activities for nurses focused on improving encounters and dialogue with parents having low vaccine acceptance. Following the intervention design the activities were developed, pilot tested and implemented. Conclusion: This study confirm that the TIP approach is valuable for guiding a stepwise working process for a thorough understanding of barriers and drivers for MMR vaccination among parents in this Somali community. It facilitated the design of a theory and evidence-informed intervention targeting parents and nurses.

Understanding vaccination communication between health workers and parents: a Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP) qualitative study in Serbia.

Vaccine communication between health workers and parents affects parental acceptance, so understanding this is particularly important when vaccination rates drop. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative research study conducted in Serbia as part of a Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP) project. The aims were to explore the process of vaccination communication between health workers and parents (accepting, indecisive, delaying, refusing), and identify barriers and drivers to effective communication. In-depth interviews with 14 health workers were supplemented and qualified by observations of 40 consultations, using thematic analysis. Study sites were two community health centers in two Belgrade municipalities where a significant drop in childhood vaccination rates had occurred. Key findings were: (1) communication mainly took place between pediatricians and parents, while nurses focused on administering vaccines. (2) Health workers were confident in their skills to communicate and address concerns of accepting and indecisive parents, successfully applying specific strategies. (3) When interacting with delaying and refusing parents, they sometimes agreed to delay vaccination to maintain relationships, confident that most parents would vaccinate in due course. (4) Some refusing parents asked questions grounded in a socio-political agenda regarding vaccines or vaccination. Such questions exceeded the domain of health workers' expertise, which affected the communication between them. (5) Health workers' behavior in consultations was sometimes affected by parents' (dis) trust in their recommendations about vaccination. The study revealed that health workers in Serbia require additional skills and techniques to respond to parents who refuse and wish to delay vaccination, to secure timely vaccination.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Switzerland: does the prolongation of vaccine booster intervals result in an increased risk of breakthroughs?

BACKGROUND: In 2006, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) decided recommending a prolongation of vaccine booster intervals after the third dose for the prevention of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) from 3 to 10 years. METHODS: To ascertain whether this amendment resulted in an increased rate of vaccine breakthroughs, we conducted a retrospective analysis of surveillance data collected 2000-19 by mandatory reporting to the Swiss FOPH. Fractions of breakthroughs [with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)]-0-3 years vs >3-10 years after the third vaccination dose-were compared across time periods and age groups. RESULTS: Among 3205 notified TBE cases, known vaccination status was reported in 2562 (79.9%), including 103 patients with ≥3 vaccine doses (4.0%). Among those, there were 39 patients who had received the last dose within 3 years and 48 patients in the >3-10 years group. During the 2010-19 period in which the new booster strategy was implemented there were 23 and 38 breakthroughs, respectively, and the annual breakthrough rate was 7.7 (95% CI 5.0-11.7) cases during the first 3 years after the last dose, and 5.4 (95% CI 3.9-7.5) cases in following 7 years. We observed no significant trend of TBE breakthroughs with increasing age. Increasing numbers of TBE and of vaccine breakthroughs over time have been associated with spreading endemicity and higher vaccination coverage in Switzerland. CONCLUSIONS: There is no indication that extended booster intervals resulted in an increased rate of breakthroughs, but there was a marked public health benefit with respect to increased acceptability of TBE immunization in the general population.

A qualitative interview study with parents to identify barriers and drivers to childhood vaccination and inform public health interventions.

Vaccination coverage in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been declining since 2014. This qualitative study aimed to identify barriers and drivers to childhood vaccination for parents. The COM-B (capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior) model was the underpinning theoretical framework. Face-to-face interviews with 22 parents of fully (n = 6), delayed/partially vaccinated (n = 9) and unvaccinated (n = 7) children were conducted. Interviews explored individual factors (capability-knowledge and skills; motivation-attitudes, confidence and trust) and context factors (physical opportunity-information, access, health systems; and social opportunity - social support, norms). Data were analyzed in NVivo using content analysis exploring differences in COM factors by vaccination status and location. Parents of fully vaccinated children typically reported individual and context drivers to vaccination. They accepted vaccination, trusted health workers, and were content with services. Parents of delayed/partially vaccinated children fell into two subgroups: (1) Those who accepted vaccination and attributed delays to their organizational skills or frustration with appointment times. (2) Those fitting the profile of "vaccine hesitant" - generally valuing vaccination and health worker advice, yet with concerns often triggered by media/social media. Parents of unvaccinated children mentioned individual and context barriers to vaccination, notably significant concerns about safety, some distrust of health workers and resentment of mandatory vaccination. Urban/rural differences included urban parents being more likely to report experiences with vaccine shortages and very few had received information leaflets. The study identified complex and inter-related barriers and drivers to parents' childhood vaccination behaviors. These insights have informed the development of tailored interventions to improve coverage.

Designing tailored interventions to address barriers to vaccination.

Despite efforts to promote vaccination and make vaccination services easily accessible, vaccination coverage rates remain below the target rate for many vaccines in various jurisdictions. The Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP) approach was developed by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe to support efforts of countries to achieve high and equitable vaccination uptake. In this Canadian Vaccination Evidence Resource and Exchange Centre (CANVax) series, we present key insights from the TIP planning framework to assist vaccine program planners, policy makers and vaccine providers to identify the interventions that will lead to increased vaccine uptake. The TIP is a phased approach that involves the following: 1) a clear diagnosis of the root cause of low vaccination; 2) an intervention based on this understanding; and 3) an evaluation of the implementation process and the impact of the interventions. At the provider-patient level, the approaches and insights of the TIP planning framework could inform vaccination consultation by emphasizing the importance of engaging with and listening to the patients and caregivers, and responding to their needs.

Tailoring Immunization Programmes: using patient file data to explore vaccination uptake and associated factors.

Vaccination uptake in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is suboptimal. This study aimed to (1) assess vaccination coverage, timeliness and drop-out for children born in 2015 and 2016 and compare these with official administrative coverage estimates, (2) identify associations between characteristics of children/caregivers and vaccination uptake. This was a cross-sectional study based on patient files for children 12-23 months (n = 1800) and 24-35 months (n = 1800). Methods were adapted from the World Health Organization cluster survey methodology. A two-stage stratified sampling procedure was conducted in urban and rural strata. A structured paper-based form was completed by a pediatrician/nurse from randomly selected primary care centers and patient files. Estimates were based on weighted analysis with a 95% confidence interval to account for the survey sampling design. Vaccination coverage was consistent with administrative coverage levels for BCG, DTP and MMR, and lower for HepB; all considerably lower than regional targets. Children in urban areas had lower vaccination uptake. An assumption that anti-vaccination sentiment prevails among caregivers was not confirmed; only 2% of children were not vaccinated at all, instead challenges related to delays and drop-out. An assumption of caregiver concerns for the MMR vaccine was confirmed with low uptake and delays. The FBiH has experienced vaccination schedule changes due to supply issues; findings confirmed that sustainability in supply and schedule is high priority. These data are new and provide important information for developing strategies to increase uptake.

Barriers and drivers to adult vaccination among family physicians - Insights for tailoring the immunization program in Germany.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, vaccination gaps exist mainly among adolescents and adults. Family physicians (FPs) administer adult vaccines. FPs strongly influence the vaccination behavior and attitudes of their patients, so their own vaccination-related attitudes and behaviors are critical to achieve high vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of FPs' own vaccination uptake and their recommendation behavior. METHOD: 700 FPs participated in a random sampled telephone survey. Respondents were interviewed in both their roles as vaccine recipients and vaccine providers. Thus, participants indicated their own vaccination status and recommendation behavior as primary outcomes. Primary determinants were the 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination. In addition, participants indicated demographic data and other barriers towards vaccination. Association between outcome and determinants were examined using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Around 60% of physicians reported to be vaccinated against influenza, pertussis and hepatitis B, and the majority claimed to recommend vaccines to patients. Own vaccination status was significantly associated with the recommendation of vaccines. Of the psychological determinants confidence in the safety of vaccines was associated with own vaccination and recommendation behavior. Collective responsibility, constraints and complacency were associated with own vaccination status. Being from western Germany and being a homeopathic FP were independently associated with lower own vaccination behavior. Vaccine shortages (52.5%) and cost coverage problems (25.6%) were reported frequently as system-related barriers. There was a perception that the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group was influenced by other interests (14.8%) and that people are vaccinated against too many diseases (8%). Around 40% had implemented an office-based reminder system. DISCUSSION: FPs' vaccination behaviors are associated with various psychological determinants and additional barriers. In particular, confidence can leverage FPs' vaccination behaviors. Promoting office-based reminder systems, reducing system-related barriers, and building trust in official recommendations are additional measures to improve adult vaccination in Germany.

Health systems constraints and facilitators of human papillomavirus immunization programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

Given the vast investments made in national immunization programmes (NIPs) and the significance of NIPs to public health, it is important to understand what influences the optimal performance of NIPs. It has been established that well-performing NIPs require enabling health systems. However, systematic evidence on how the performance of health systems impacts on NIPs is lacking, especially from sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a qualitative systematic review to synthesize the available evidence on health systems constraints and facilitators of NIPs in sub-Saharan Africa, using human papillomavirus immunization programmes as a proxy. Fifty-four articles published between 2008 and 2018 were found to be eligible. Data extraction was guided by an analytical model on the interface between NIPs and health systems. A cross-cutting thematic analysis of the extracted data was performed. This systematic review provides evidence necessary for informing ongoing health systems strengthening initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa. There is evidence to suggest that NIPs in sub-Saharan Africa have surmounted significant health systems constraints and have achieved notable public health success. This success can be attributed to strong political endorsement for vaccines, clear governance structures and effective collaboration with global partners. Despite this, significant health systems constraints persist in service delivery, vaccine communication, community engagement, the capacity of the health workforce and sustainable financing. These constraints could derail further progress if not addressed through health systems strengthening efforts. There is a need to expand the research agenda to include the comprehensive evaluation of health systems constraints and facilitators of NIPs within sub-Saharan Africa.

Identifying barriers and drivers to vaccination: A qualitative interview study with health workers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination coverage in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been declining over recent years. A World Health Organization Tailoring Immunization Programmes (TIP) project is underway to gain insights into the underlying reasons for this, to develop tailored interventions. As part of TIP, this study aimed to investigate the views of health workers on their barriers and drivers to positive childhood vaccination practices. METHODS: Face-to-face qualitative interviews explored 38 health workers' views on vaccination coverage, their vaccination attitudes, and system, programme and institutional influences on their vaccination practices. The data were analysed using content analysis and organised by the COM (Capability, Opportunity and Motivation) factors. FINDINGS: Very few differences in barriers and drivers were evident between high and low coverage primary care centres or across different professional roles. Capability: Drivers included awareness of the risks of low vaccination coverage, regular use of the Rulebook and Order, knowledge of how to advise parents on mild side effects and recognition of the importance of good communication with parents. Key barriers were the use of false contraindications to postpone vacination and poor skills in tailoring communication with parents. Opportunity: Drivers were sufficient time for adminstering vaccination and good availability of vaccines. Several barriers were evident: lack of implementation of mandatory vaccination, no uniform recall and reminder system or system for detecting under-vaccinated children, staff shortages and lack of time to discuss vaccination with parents. MOTIVATION: Drivers were a belief in the value, safety and effectiveness of vaccination and seeing that they have an important role to play. Barriers were a tendency to blame external factors e.g. anti-vax movement and a fear of being blamed for adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified complex and inter-related barriers and drivers to health worker positive vaccination practices. These insights will now inform a process to identify and prioritize interventions.

Comparison of three rapid household survey sampling methods for vaccination coverage assessment in a peri-urban setting in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Household surveys are an essential tool for vaccine coverage monitoring in developing countries, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) cluster survey design has been a default choice for decades. In response to methodological limitations of the traditional EPI sampling, alternative methods have been proposed, based on modern statistical and geographical techniques. This study compared the coverage estimates and the time efficiency of the EPI sampling design and two alternative methods: the compact segment sampling and innovative grid-based geographical information system (GIS) sampling. METHODS: We conducted a series of equal-sized concurrent prospective vaccine coverage surveys in Karachi, Pakistan, from January to December 2016, using traditional EPI, compact segment and grid-based GIS sampling methods. RESULTS: No differences in vaccine coverage estimates were identified across sampling methods in the peri-urban setting; however, due to stronger clustering effects and correct incorporation of sampling weights, the compact segment [design effect (DEFF) = 2.03] and the grid-based GIS surveys (DEFF = 1.72) had higher design effects and, therefore, appeared to have lower statistical precision than the traditional EPI surveys (DEFF = 1.57). To achieve the same level of apparent precision, data collection activities in the compact segment surveys would require more than twice the implementation time needed compared with the traditional EPI surveys. CONCLUSIONS: The precision of the EPI surveys appeared higher than that of the alternative methods because, under a questionable self-weighting assumption, the estimated design effect did not account for variable sampling weights. The compact segment and grid-based GIS methods were designed to improve randomness and representativeness of sampling households. Although these alternative methods did not result in coverage estimates that differed from the EPI survey results in the peri-urban setting, they have a lower risk of selection bias and therefore may be preferred.

Incorporating costing study results into district and service planning to enhance immunization programme performance: a Zambian case study.

Donors, researchers and international agencies have made significant investments in collection of high-quality data on immunization costs, aiming to improve the efficiency and sustainability of services. However, improved quality and routine dissemination of costing information to local managers may not lead to enhanced programme performance. This study explored how district- and service-level managers can use costing information to enhance planning and management to increase immunization outputs and coverage. Data on the use of costing information in the planning and management of Zambia's immunization programme was obtained through individual and group semi-structured interviews with planners and managers at national, provincial and district levels. Document review revealed the organizational context within which managers operated. Qualitative results described managers' ability to use costing information to generate cost and efficiency indicators not provided by existing systems. These, in turn, would allow them to understand the relative cost of vaccines and other resources, increase awareness of resource use and management, benchmark against other facilities and districts, and modify strategies to improve performance. Managers indicated that costing information highlighted priorities for more efficient use of human resources, vaccines and outreach for immunization programming. Despite decentralization, there were limitations on managers' decision-making to improve programme efficiency in practice: major resource allocation decisions were made centrally and planning tools did not focus on vaccine costs. Unreliable budgets and disbursements also undermined managers' ability to use systems and information. Routine generation and use of immunization cost information may have limited impact on managing efficiency in many Zambian districts, but opportunities were evident for using existing capacity and systems to improve efficiency. Simpler approaches, such as improving reliability and use of routine immunization and staffing indicators, drawing on general insights from periodic costing studies, and focusing on maximizing coverage with available resources, may be more feasible in the short-term.

Hepatitis B vaccines: WHO position paper, July 2017 - Recommendations.

This article presents the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations on the use of hepatitis B vaccines excerpted from the Hepatitis B vaccines: WHO position paper, July 2017, published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record (Hepatitis B vaccines, 2017) [1]. This position paper replaces the May 2009 WHO position paper on hepatitis B vaccines (Hepatitis B vaccines, 2009) [2]. The position paper gives updated information on hepatitis B vaccines and their storage, transport and deployment. The recommendations concern the target groups for vaccination and the appropriate schedules. In particular, the recommendations stress the importance of vaccination of all infants at birth as the most effective intervention for the prevention of hepatitis B virus-associated disease worldwide. Footnotes to this paper provide a number of core references including references to grading tables that assess the quality of the scientific evidence, and to the evidence-to-recommendation table. In accordance with its mandate to provide guidance to Member States on health policy matters, WHO issues a series of regularly updated position papers on vaccines and combinations of vaccines against diseases that have an international public health impact. These papers are concerned primarily with the use of vaccines in large-scale immunization programmes; they summarize essential background information on diseases and vaccines, and conclude with WHO's current position on the use of vaccines in the global context. Recommendations on the use of hepatitis B vaccines were discussed by SAGE in October 2016; evidence presented at these meetings can be accessed at: http://www.who.int/immunization/sage/meetings/2016/October/presentations_background_docs/en/.

How close are countries of the WHO European Region to achieving the goal of vaccinating 75% of key risk groups against influenza? Results from national surveys on seasonal influenza vaccination programmes, 2008/2009 to 2014/2015.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination is recommended especially for persons at risk of complications. In 2003, the World Health Assembly urged Member States (MS) to increase vaccination coverage to 75% among older persons by 2010. OBJECTIVE: To assess progress towards the 2010 vaccination goal and describe seasonal influenza vaccination recommendations in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. METHODS: Data on seasonal influenza vaccine recommendations, dose distribution, and target group coverage were obtained from two sources: European Union and European Economic Area MS data were extracted from influenza vaccination surveys covering seven seasons (2008/2009-2014/2015) published by the Vaccine European New Integrated Collaboration Effort and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. For the remaining WHO European MS, a separate survey on policies and uptake for all seasons (2008/2009-2014/2015) was distributed to national immunization programmes in 2015. RESULTS: Data was available from 49 of 53 MS. All but two had a national influenza vaccination policy. High-income countries distributed considerably higher number of vaccines per capita (median; 139.2 per 1000 population) compared to lower-middle-income countries (median; 6.1 per 1000 population). Most countries recommended vaccination for older persons, individuals with chronic disease, healthcare workers, and pregnant women. Children were included in < 50% of national policies. Only one country reached 75% coverage in older persons (2014/2015), while a number of countries reported declining vaccination uptake. Coverage of target groups was overall low, but with large variations between countries. Vaccination coverage was not monitored for several groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite policy recommendations, influenza vaccination uptake remains suboptimal. Low levels of vaccination is not only a missed opportunity for preventing influenza in vulnerable groups, but could negatively affect pandemic preparedness. Improved understanding of barriers to influenza vaccination is needed to increase uptake and reverse negative trends. Furthermore, implementation of vaccination coverage monitoring is critical for assessing performance and impact of the programmes.