Expert review of vaccines
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Expert review of vaccines · Aug 2019
A global review of seasonal influenza vaccine introduction: analysis of the WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form.
Background: Influenza is a highly contagious disease that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract caused by several subtypes of influenza viruses. While vaccination remains the mainstay strategy to protect populations against influenza, there is a global shortage and inequitable access to influenza vaccines. Although influenza vaccine production capacity increased from 500 million doses in 2006 to 1.5 billion doses in 2013, little is known about the global distribution of these vaccines albeit its introduction. ⋯ Among countries (n = 117) that had introduced the vaccine, children (56%), older adults (87%), and risk groups (99%) were prioritized and given the vaccines. Conclusions: Introduction of influenza vaccine in the African and Southeast Asian regions remains suboptimal. This critically underscores the need for financing mechanisms and having countries in the regions that are lagging behind to prioritize seasonal influenza vaccine.
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Expert review of vaccines · Jul 2019
ReviewInfluenza vaccine programs for children in low- and middle-income countries: current status and way forward.
Introduction: Influenza vaccines are safe and effective, yet they are infrequently used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Areas covered: We examine influenza vaccine programs for children from within a framework of new vaccine adoption in LMICs. ⋯ While WHO recommends that implementation of influenza vaccine programs should be a country decision based on national goals, capacities, and data review, vaccine decision makers from many LMICs will likely need more evidence to inform the value proposition of program investment for pediatric vaccination, particularly related to alternative immunization strategies that align with current vaccine delivery platforms, anticipated program impact on severe illness endpoints, and program costs and economic benefits. Targeted research and development to address the specific needs of LMICs may be needed to demonstrate the value proposition of influenza vaccines and to expand influenza vaccine programs in these settings.
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Expert review of vaccines · Jun 2019
ReviewKingdon's Multiple Streams Framework and the Analysis of Decision-Making Processes Regarding Publicly-Funded Immunization Programs.
Introduction: The implementation of a publicly-funded immunization program results from a complex decision-making process. John Kingdon's 'Multiple Streams Framework' has been extensively used to analyze how and why governmental policies were adopted. Area covered: Ideas that will ultimately end up in a proposal for a new immunization program develop gradually along three main streams: (i) the problem stream, which focuses on a particular vaccine-preventable disease and its perception by stakeholders; (ii) the policy stream, which is centered on experts' views on the optimal use of available vaccines; and (iii) the politics stream, which consists of socio-political factors, including budgetary constraints. ⋯ The timing of the policy window is usually unpredictable and of short duration. Expert opinion: Analytical frameworks traditionally used to assess immunization programs focus on the technical aspects of the disease, the vaccine, and the program. The 'Multiple Streams Framework' brings added analytical value by enlarging the scope of the analysis into the political arena.
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Expert review of vaccines · May 2019
Designing tuberculosis vaccine efficacy trials - lessons from recent studies.
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious killer globally and new TB vaccines will be crucial to ending the epidemic. Since the introduction in 1921 of the only currently licensed TB vaccine, BCG, very few novel vaccine candidates or strategies have advanced into clinical efficacy trials. Areas covered: Recently, however, two TB vaccine efficacy trials with novel designs have reported positive results and are now driving new momentum in the field. ⋯ The references cited were chosen by the author based on PubMed searches to provide context for the opinions expressed in this Perspective article. Expert opinion: The opportunities created by these two trials for gaining critically important knowledge are game-changing for TB vaccine development. Their results clearly establish feasibility in the relatively near term of developing novel, effective vaccines that could be crucial to ending the TB epidemic.
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Expert review of vaccines · Jan 2019
ReviewThe Global Meningococcal Initiative meeting on prevention of meningococcal disease worldwide: Epidemiology, surveillance, hypervirulent strains, antibiotic resistance and high-risk populations.
The 2018 Global Meningococcal Initiative (GMI) meeting focused on evolving invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) epidemiology, surveillance, and protection strategies worldwide, with emphasis on emerging antibiotic resistance and protection of high-risk populations. The GMI is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of scientists and clinicians representing institutions from several continents. ⋯ The current GMI global recommendations were reinforced, with several other global initiatives underway to support IMD protection and prevention.