Abstract
BackgroundRotavirus vaccine is recommended for all infants in Canada. To evaluate the logistics of implementing a universal rotavirus vaccination program, we compared the effectiveness of program implementation in jurisdictions with either a physician-administered or public health nurse-administered program.MethodsAll infants born between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2012 in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia’s Capital District Health Authority were eligible for the vaccination program. A universal rotavirus vaccination program was implemented and delivered in public health clinics in Prince Edward Island and in physicians’ offices in Nova Scotia.ResultsEngagement of vaccinators in delivery of the universal vaccination program was more successful in Prince Edward Island than in Nova Scotia. Vaccine coverage rates rose rapidly in Prince Edward Island, exceeding 90% for both doses within 3 months and remaining at those levels over the two-year program. In contrast, coverage rates in Nova Scotia rose more slowly and never exceeded 40% during the two years. Access to coverage data was more timely and accurate in Prince Edward Island than Nova Scotia.ConclusionA universal rotavirus vaccination program delivered through public health clinics achieved more rapid and higher levels of coverage than a program administered through physicians’ offices.Trial registrationNCT01273077.
Highlights
Rotavirus vaccine is recommended for all infants in Canada
In CDHA/NS, two members of the District Department of Family Medicine participated in the program implementation planning committee
A face-to-face education session was attended by 8 (2.0%) of the 405 family physicians, and an additional 3 (0.7%) physicians participated in an educational webinar
Summary
Rotavirus vaccine is recommended for all infants in Canada. Approved in 2008, RotarixW is a live, attenuated human G1P1A [8] rotavirus strain administered as a two-dose schedule [8]. Both vaccines were safe and effective in large, field efficacy studies [9,10]. Both vaccines are available in Canada and are recommended for use by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) [11] and for inclusion in universal immunization programs by the Canadian Immunization Committee [12]
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