National Immunization Campaign Research Articles

Nirsevimab Effectiveness Against Cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis Hospitalised in Paediatric Intensive Care Units in France, September 2023-January 2024.

In September 2023, France was one of the first countries that started a national immunisation campaign with nirsevimab, a new monoclonal antibody against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Using data from a network of paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), we aimed to estimate nirsevimab effectiveness against severe cases of RSV bronchiolitis in France. We conducted a case-control study based on the test-negative design and included 288 infants reported by 20 PICUs. We estimated nirsevimab effectiveness at 75.9% (48.5-88.7) in the main analysis and 80.6% (61.6-90.3) and 80.4% (61.7-89.9) in two sensitivity analyses. These real-world estimates confirmed the efficacy observed in clinical studies.

Combating Polio Vaccine Hesitancy: An Evaluation of Mediated Polio Eradication Campaigns in Pakistan

Health campaign initiatives are especially tailored to the needs of their target audience and encourage vaccination adoption for polio eradication. Vaccination resistance, however, remains a serious barrier in Pakistan. The content analysis method was used to examine message appeals and message characteristics used in Pakistan's Polio National Immunization Campaigns from 2020 to 2022. Polio advertisements were obtained from the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program's internet archives. Advertisements range in duration from 40 to 60 seconds on average. The quantitative results provided to a deeper understanding of the message characteristics (credibility of message presenters, appeals, style, slogan, language) used in anti-polio advertisements broadcasted via cable and television channels during the Polio National Immunization Campaigns. It was evident that attempts were made to effectively engage the target audience via the employment of 31% knowledgeable speakers, a range of message appeals 34%, and a diversity of communication styles 72%. The necessity for ongoing evaluation and improvement of campaign message techniques was highlighted by variations in the use of slogans and regional languages. Keywords: Mediated Polio Immunization Campaigns, Message Appeals, Polio Vaccination, Polio vaccine hesitancy

THE PERCEPTION, BEHAVIOURS AND ACCEPTANCE OF COVID-19 VACCINE AMONG MALAY SENIOR CITIZENS

Despite concerted efforts taken since the launched of immunization campaign for Malaysians, the country still wary of individuals who consistently disputing the validity and legality of the vaccine. Further to that, there are also Malaysia citizens who do not believe in the effectiveness of the vaccine which lead to refusal in receiving it voluntarily. The study aimed to (i) to explore the understanding of the Malay senior citizens on health communication campaigns related to the COVID-19 vaccination programmes, (ii) to review the sources of information used by the senior citizens in obtaining information related to the vaccine and COVID-19, and (iii) to explore the behaviours of the senior citizens and their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. The study involved 10 Malay senior citizens within the range age group of 55-65 years. In order to seek diverse insights on the information seeking behaviour and the preferred sources, the study focused on the influence of cultural, religious diversity and the implementation of health communication campaigns by the government on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Further, the study also explored the level of understanding and perception on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine among senior citizens. Qualitative methodology was applied using focus group discussion in the data collection, and NVIVO software was used for analysis. The study found hesitancy on the vaccine resulting from the unsure sources of information. Senior citizens from Malay community were very concerned on receiving the vaccine. Additionally, the result indicated that the national immunisation campaign is less effective especially to those who reside in rural areas. The majority of the participants obtained information sources related to vaccines and COVID-19 through social media compared to mainstream media. Inasmuch the overseas media provided more authentic information than the local media, it was equally significant that the informants also found the information by the National Security Council (MKN) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) to be authentic and were always referred to.

Investigation of an outbreak of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01-lineage B.1.1.7 infection in healthcare workers, Italy

ObjectivesIn December 2020, Italy began a national immunization campaign using the BNT162b2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine, prioritizing healthcare workers (HCWs). Immune serum from vaccinated subjects seems (largely) to retain titres of neutralizing antibodies, even against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) VOC 202012/01-lineage B.1.1.7. Here, we describe an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7 infection in three HCWs in a hospital setting; two of the HCWs were fully vaccinated (i.e. had received two doses). MethodsTwo physicians and one nurse working on the same shift on 20th February 2021 were involved in the outbreak. Real-time PCR, antigen tests, and serological tests for the IgG anti-spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were performed, along with whole-genome sequencing (WGS). ResultsSARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in all three HCWs; all presented with mild symptoms of COVID-19. The two physicians were fully vaccinated with BNT162b2 vaccine, with the second dose administered 1 month before symptom onset. Both had high titres of IgG anti-spike antibodies at the time of diagnosis. WGS confirmed that all virus strains were VOC 202012/01-lineage B.1.1.7, suggesting a common source of exposure. Epidemiological investigation revealed that the suspected source was a SARS-CoV-2-positive patient who required endotracheal intubation due to severe COVID-19. All procedures were carried out using a full suite of personal protective equipment (PPE). ConclusionsThis mini-outbreak highlights some important issues about the efficacy of vaccines against transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants, the high risk of exposure among HCWs, and the need for optimized implementation of PPE in hospitals. The wide circulation of VOC 202012/01 in Europe and Italy highlights the need to improve surveillance and genetic sequencing.

Perinatal Outcomes of Asynchronous Influenza Vaccination, Ceará, Brazil, 2013-2018.

In Ceará, Brazil, seasonal influenza transmission begins before national annual vaccination campaigns commence. To assess the perinatal consequences of this misalignment, we tracked severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), influenza, and influenza immunizations during 2013–2018. Among 3,297 SARI cases, 145 (4.4%) occurred in pregnant women. Statewide vaccination coverage was >80%; however, national vaccination campaigns began during or after peak influenza season. Thirty to forty weeks after peak influenza season, birthweights decreased by 40 g, and rates of prematurity increased from 10.7% to 15.5%. We identified 61 children born to mothers with SARI during pregnancy; they weighed 10% less at birth and were more likely to be premature than 122 newborn controls. Mistiming of influenza vaccination campaigns adversely effects perinatal outcomes in Ceará. Because Ceará is the presumptive starting point for north-to-south seasonal influenza transmission in Brazil, earlier national immunization campaigns would provide greater protection for pregnant women and their fetuses in Ceará and beyond.

Politização da vacina é irresponsabilidade sanitária

Esta comunicação breve trata do imenso desafio de uma campanha nacional de imunização contra a Covid-19, diante do cenário atual de provável aprovação de várias vacinas que se encontram em fase final de testes. São adversidades em torno da aquisição, produção, armazenamento, transporte e dispensação, que deverão ser objeto de intenso planejamento e logística capazes de mitigar os altos índices de perdas vacinais das campanhas de imunização. O êxito dessa empreitada depende de um pacto federativo sólido e da liderança do Ministério da Saúde na aquisição das vacinas e na condução da campanha de imunização. A construção desse pacto vem sendo dificultada por um processo de politização da vacina para a Covid-19, promovido irresponsavelmente por lideranças políticas nacionais, comprometendo a União em torno do tema e gerando insegurança na população brasileira.

Digital health for real-time monitoring of a national immunisation campaign in Indonesia: a large-scale effectiveness evaluation

ObjectiveTo assess the contribution of a digital health real-time monitoring platform towards the achievement of coverage targets during a national immunisation campaign in Indonesia.InterventionsA digital health platform was introduced to...

National Immunization Campaigns With Oral Polio Vaccine May Reduce All-cause Mortality: An Analysis of 13 Years of Demographic Surveillance Data From an Urban African Area.

Between 2002 and 2014, Guinea-Bissau had 17 national campaigns with oral polio vaccine (OPV) as well as campaigns with vitamin A supplementation (VAS), measles vaccine (MV), and H1N1 influenza vaccine. We examined the impact of these campaigns on child survival. We examined the mortality rate between 1 day and 3 years of age of all children in the study area. We used Cox models with age as underlying time to calculate adjusted mortality rate ratios (MRRs) between "after-campaign" mortality and "before-campaign" mortality, adjusted for temporal change in mortality and stratified for season at risk. Mortality was lower after OPV-only campaigns than before, with an MRR for after-campaign vs before-campaign being 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], .67-.85). Other campaigns did not have similar effects, the MRR being 1.22 (95% CI, 1.04-1.44) for OPV + VAS campaigns, 1.39 (95% CI, 1.20-1.61) for VAS-only campaigns, 1.32 (95% CI, 1.09-1.60) for MV + VAS campaigns, and 1.13 (95% CI, .86-1.49) for the H1N1 campaign. Thus, all other campaigns differed significantly from the effect of OPV-only campaigns. Effects did not differ for trivalent, bivalent, or monovalent strains of OPV. With each additional campaign of OPV only, the mortality rate declined further (MRR, 0.86 [95% CI, .81-.92] per campaign). With follow-up to 3 years of age, the number needed to treat to save 1 life with the OPV-only campaign was 50 neonates. OPV campaigns can have a much larger effect on child survival than otherwise assumed. Stopping OPV campaigns in low-income countries as part of the endgame for polio infection may increase child mortality.

National Immunization Campaigns with Oral Polio Vaccine Reduce All-Cause Mortality: A Natural Experiment within Seven Randomized Trials.

A recent WHO review concluded that live BCG and measles vaccine (MV) may have beneficial non-specific effects (NSEs) reducing mortality from non-targeted diseases. NSEs of oral polio vaccine (OPV) were not examined. If OPV vaccination campaigns reduce the mortality rate, it would suggest beneficial NSEs. Between 2002 and 2014, Guinea-Bissau had 15 general OPV campaigns and other campaigns with OPV plus vitamin A supplementation (VAS), VAS-only, MV, and H1N1 vaccine. In this period, we conducted seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with mortality as main outcome. Within these RCTs, we assessed whether the mortality rate was lower after-campaign than before-campaign. We used Cox models with age as underlying time and further adjusted for low birth-weight, season and time trend in mortality. We calculated the adjusted mortality rate ratio (MRR) for after-campaign vs before-campaign. The mortality rate was lower after OPV-only campaigns than before, the MRR being 0.81 (95% CI = 0.68-0.95). With each additional dose of campaign-OPV the mortality rate declined further (MRR = 0.87 (95% CI: 0.79-0.96) per dose) (test for trend, p = 0.005). No other type of campaign had similar beneficial effects. Depending on initial age and with follow-up to 3 years of age, the number needed to treat with campaign-OPV-only to save one life was between 68 and 230 children. Bissau had no case of polio infection so the results suggest that campaign-OPV has beneficial NSEs. Discontinuation of OPV-campaigns in low-income countries may affect general child mortality levels negatively.

Effectiveness of a nationwide measles vaccination campaign in Libya, 2005: Retrospective study

Background: Measles is a highly contagious virus. An effective vaccine has been widely administered for over three decades, but the measles burden is still high, causing 134,200 deaths globally in 2014. In Libya, a national mass measles vaccination campaign took place in 2005 targeting all residents of Libya age 9 months to 20 years between February 2005 5, and March 1, 2005. To date, no evaluation of its effectiveness has been conducted. Materials and Methods: Measles surveillance data were obtained for a 6 years' period (2002–2007) spanning the 3 years before and the 3 years following the mass vaccination campaign. The incidence of measles cases was calculated pre- and postvaccination campaigns and relative change in incidence was determined. Results: During the campaign 2,431,167 people age 9 months–20 years were vaccinated, resulting in a coverage rate of 98.4% in that age range. Comparing incidence of measles cases pre-and postvaccination campaign demonstrates an effectiveness of 96%, P = 0.021. Seasonality of measles cases was identified with a peak in April and May. Effectiveness varied by the age group, ranging from 82% in people lower than 5 years of age. Conclusion: A significant reduction was demonstrated following a national immunization campaign. Supplementary immunization campaigns should be initiated to keep the Libyan measles rate low; allowing the country to move into an elimination period.

Assessing the impact of the Lebanese National Polio Immunization Campaign using a population-based computational model

BackgroundAfter the re-introduction of poliovirus to Syria in 2013, Lebanon was considered at high transmission risk due to its proximity to Syria and the high number of Syrian refugees. However, after a large-scale national immunization initiative, Lebanon was able to prevent a potential outbreak of polio among nationals and refugees. In this work, we used a computational individual-simulation model to assess the risk of poliovirus threat to Lebanon prior and after the immunization campaign and to quantitatively assess the healthcare impact of the campaign and the required standards that need to be maintained nationally to prevent a future outbreak.MethodsAcute poliomyelitis surveillance in Lebanon was along with the design and coverage rate of the recent national polio immunization campaign were reviewed from the records of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Lebanese population demographics including Syrian and Palestinian refugees were reviewed to design individual-based models that predicts the consequences of polio spread to Lebanon and evaluate the outcome of immunization campaigns. The model takes into account geographic, demographic and health-related features.ResultsOur simulations confirmed the high risk of polio outbreaks in Lebanon within 10 days of case introduction prior to the immunization campaign, and showed that the current immunization campaign significantly reduced the speed of the infection in the event poliomyelitis cases enter the country. A minimum of 90% national immunization coverage was found to be required to prevent exponential propagation of potential transmission.ConclusionsBoth surveillance and immunization efforts should be maintained at high standards in Lebanon and other countries in the area to detect and limit any potential outbreak. The use of computational population simulation models can provide a quantitative approach to assess the impact of immunization campaigns and the burden of infectious diseases even in the context of population migration.

Proposal of indicators to evaluate complementary feeding based on World Health Organization indicators.

This study compares complementary feeding World Health Organization (WHO) indicators with those built in accordance with Brazilian recommendations (Ten Steps to Healthy Feeding). A cross-sectional study was carried out during the National Immunization Campaign against Poliomyelitis in Guarapuava-Paraná, Brazil, in 2012. Feeding data from 1,355 children aged 6-23 months were obtained through the 24 h diet recall. Based on five indicators, the proportion of adequacy was evaluated: introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods; minimum dietary diversity; meal frequency; acceptable diet; and consumption of iron-rich foods. Complementary feeding showed adequacy higher than 85% in most WHO indicators, while review by the Ten Steps assessment method showed a less favorable circumstance and a high intake of unhealthy foods. WHO indicators may not reflect the complementary feeding conditions of children in countries with low malnutrition rates and an increased prevalence of overweight/obesity. The use of indicators according to the Ten Steps can be useful to identify problems and redirect actions aimed at promoting complementary feeding.

Serological statuses of pregnant women in an urban Brazilian population before and after the 2008 rubella immunization campaign

BackgroundVaccinating populations against rubella aims to mitigate viral circulation and to ensure that women of childbearing age are immunized to reduce the incidence of congenital rubella syndrome. This study determined the serological statuses of pregnant women in an urban Brazilian population before and after the national rubella immunization campaign that was undertaken in 2008, and it assessed the socio-demographic factors associated with seronegativity. MethodsPregnant women living in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, who participated in a municipal prenatal screening program that involved blood tests for rubella, were assessed between June 2007 and May 2012. Socio-demographic factors associated with seronegativity were assessed, including the year of the blood test, categorized as before or after the 2008 immunization campaign, and the women's birth cohorts, the women's ethnicities, the gestational ages at the first prenatal visit, and the women's districts of residence. ResultsA total of 54,717 capillary blood samples were tested for rubella. The prevalence of pregnant women who were seronegative for rubella declined from 9.4% before the national immunization campaign to 2.8% after the national immunization campaign. Women were more likely to be seronegative for rubella before and after the immunization campaign if they were born between 1990 and 2000 or delayed starting prenatal care. ConclusionsThe decline in the prevalence of pregnant women who were seronegative for rubella to <5% indicates that the 2008 Brazilian rubella immunization campaign was successful in Maceió.

“THOSE WHO LOVE, VACCINATE”: PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS OF HPV VACCINATION

Introduction: In March 2014, Brazil began its national HPV immunization campaign targeting girls ages 9-13. Objective: Describe determinants of parental decisions to vaccinate their daughters against HPV.Method: In this qualitative study, thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted at five health posts in São Paulo, Brazil. Interview questions explored parental opinions of disease prevention methods, vaccines in general, and the HPV vaccine. Interviews were analyzed using grounded theory. Results: Overall, parental knowledge about HPV and the vaccine was low, yet most eligible daughters had been vaccinated. Parents perceived the HPV vaccine to be normal, preventative, and protective. Parents viewed themselves as accountable for their children’s health, and saw the vaccine as a parenting tool for indirect control. Trust in healthcare professionals and an awareness of the dangers of “nowadays” (uncertainties regarding disease and sexual behavior) were also important in vaccine decision-making. These factors held more explanatory power for decisions to vaccinate than parental knowledge levels. This was the first study to qualitatively examine the perception of publically provided HPV vaccination among parents with eligible daughters in Brazil. The findings help interpret the greater than 90% coverage for the first HPV vaccine dose in Brazil. The results indicate that attempts to understand, maintain, or modify vaccination rates require the consideration of context specific factors, which influence both parent perspectives and vaccination decisions. Conclusion: HPV knowledge levels are not predictive of parental decisions to vaccinate daughters. Context specific factors from the sociocultural dimensions of parenting, sexuality, gender, and the healthcare system are more influential in vaccine decision-making.

Práticas de aleitamento materno de crianças menores de dois anos de idade com base em indicadores da Organização Mundial da Saúde

Objetivo Avaliar práticas de aleitamento materno de crianças menores de dois anos de idade com base em indicadores da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado durante Campanha Nacional de Vacinação contra Poliomielite 2012 em Guarapuava, Paraná. Os acompanhantes de 1.814 crianças responderam ao questionário estruturado sobre alimentação da criança nas últimas 24 horas. Foram avaliados nove indicadores de aleitamento materno da Organização Mundial da Saúde. As estimativas foram calculadas por pontos e intervalos de confiança de 95%. Resultados Das crianças avaliadas, 79,3% (IC95,0%=76,2-82,0) foram colocadas para mamar na primeira hora de vida. Apesar de 96,0% (IC95,0%=94,6-97,0) das crianças iniciarem a amamentação, a prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo em menores de 6 meses foi baixa: 36,0% (IC95,0%=30,7-41,7). A prevalência da continuidade do aleitamento materno com um e dois anos foi de 35,8% (IC95,0%=30,0-42,1) e 21,1% (IC95,0%=16,2-27,0) respectivamente. A duração mediana do aleitamento materno foi de 351,6 dias (IC95,0%=330,3-373,0), totalizando 11,7 meses. O aleitamento materno em idade apropriada, levando-se em conta a prevalência de aleita-mento materno exclusivo em menores de 6 meses, a alimentação complementar e a continuidade do aleitamento materno entre crianças de 6 a 23 meses, foi de 27,9% (IC95,0%=25,0-31,0), sendo influenciado pela baixa continuidade do aleitamento materno. A proporção de crianças que utilizaram mamadeira foi elevada: 78,3% (IC95,0%=75,8-80,6). Conclusão As práticas de aleitamento materno evidenciaram situação ruim ou muito ruim para a prática do aleitamento materno exclusivo em menores de seis meses, continuidade do aleitamento materno (um ano, dois anos e duração mediana do aleitamento materno), aleitamento materno em idade apropriada e uso da mamadeira.

Implementation of the influenza vaccination recommendation in nursing homes in Germany : results of a survey as part of the national influenza immunization campaign

Residents and staff of nursing homes are important target groups for influenza vaccination in Germany. The aim of this study was to gain the first insights into whether nursing homes organize activities with respect to vaccination against influenza and whether there is a demand for further information. In the context of the national influenza immunization campaign-which is jointly carried out by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) on an annual basis-influenza information kits were sent to the management of 10,700 nursing homes in September 2013. Along with the information material, the institutions also received a questionnaire to which they were able to respond via mail, fax, or online. Data from 988 homes were included in the analysis. The majority of institutions informed both residents (88.9 %) and nursing staff (81.2 %) about influenza vaccination. However, only 64.7 % of nursing homes carried out specific immunization activities for their residents and only half (49.3 %) offered a flu shot to their staff. When asked why the institutions do not provide influenza-specific information and vaccination to their staff, the majority had the opinion that this is the responsibility of each individual's general practitioner. Overall, only 4.9 % of nursing homes assessed influenza vaccination coverage among their staff annually. A third of all surveyed institutions (33.6 %) expressed a demand for additional influenza vaccine-related information. In conclusion, improved health education is needed to raise awareness about the importance of influenza vaccination among residents and employees of nursing homes in Germany so as to prevent influenza-associated morbidity and mortality in this risk group.

SAT0456 Outcome of a national immunization campaign indicated that children and adult rubella vaccination does not induce the development of chronic arthritis

BackgroundVaccinations have long been considered to be possible triggering agents for chronic arthritis, but no sufficiently definitive epidemiological study has been published on this issue. There are case reports of...

THU0309 Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination safety in patients with juvenile rheumatic diseases taking immunosuppressive drugs

BackgroundIn Brazil, there was a National immunization campaign against measles in 2011, using measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in children aged 1-7 years.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to...

Measles outbreak in Northern Central African Republic 3 years after the last national immunization campaign.

BackgroundDespite huge efforts to promote widespread vaccination, measles remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in African children. In March 2011, an abnormally high number of cases were reported from the Ouham Prefecture, Central African Republic to the national measles case-based surveillance system. In response, reactive vaccination activities were implemented. The aims of this study were to investigate this outbreak and describe the response.MethodsMeasles cases were defined according to WHO recommendations. In the first weeks of the outbreak, blood samples were collected and sent to the Institut Pasteur in Bangui for laboratory confirmation by detection of IgM antibodies against measles virus. In addition, a portion of viral RNA was amplified from 5 IgM positive patient samples and the amplicons were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis.ResultsBetween March and September 2011, 723 clinical cases originated from the Ouham Prefecture, including 2 deaths, were reported. Amongst 59 blood samples collected, 49 were positive for the detection of IgM. A high number of self-declared vaccinated subjects (31%) were found amongst the cases. Most of the cases were under 5 years. The causative virus was found to belong to genotype B3.1. In response, 2 sub-national supplementary immunization activities were quickly conducted and limited this outbreak to mainly 2 sub-prefectures.ConclusionsThis outbreak was the largest epidemic of measles in CAR since 2002. Its occurrence, 3 years after the last national immunization campaign, highlights the necessity to pursue efforts and improve and extend immunization programs in order to reach measles elimination goal in Africa.

Communication for Social Mobilization: An Evaluative Study of the National Immunization Campaign in Nigeria

Communication for Social Mobilization: An Evaluative Study of the National Immunization Campaign in Nigeria