scholarly journals The operational impact of deploying SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in countries of the WHO African Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin R. Ortiz ◽  
Joanie Robertson ◽  
Jui-Shan Hsu ◽  
Stephen L. Yu ◽  
Amanda J. Driscoll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Cold Storage ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
National Level ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
African Region ◽  
Immunization Services ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

ABSTRACTBackgroundWhen available, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will be deployed to countries with limited immunization systems.MethodsWe conducted an immunization capacity assessment of a simulated WHO African Region country using region-specific data on immunization, population, healthcare workers (HCWs), vaccine cold storage capacity (quartile values for national and subnational levels), and characteristics of influenza vaccines to represent future SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We calculated monthly increases in vaccine doses, doses per vaccinator, and cold storage volumes for four-month SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns targeting risk groups compared to routine immunization baselines.FindingsAdministering SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to risk groups would increase total monthly doses by 27.0% for ≥65 years, 91.7% for chronic diseases patients, and 1.1% for HCWs. Assuming median nurse density estimates adjusted for absenteeism and proportion providing immunization services, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns would increase total monthly doses per vaccinator by 29.3% for ≥65 years, 99.6% for chronic diseases patients, and 1.2% for HCWs. When we applied quartiles of actual African Region country vaccine storage capacity, routine immunization vaccine volumes exceeded national-level storage capacity for at least 75% of countries, but subnational levels had sufficient storage capacity for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for at least 75% of countries.InterpretationIn the WHO African Region, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns would substantially increase doses per vaccinator and cold chain capacity requirements over routine immunization baselines. Pandemic vaccination campaigns would add volume to national-level stores already at their limits, but sufficient capacity exists at subnational levels. Immediate attention to strengthening immunization systems is essential to support pandemic responses.FundingNone

scholarly journals The potential effects of deploying SARS-Cov-2 vaccines on cold storage capacity and immunization workload in countries of the WHO African Region

Vaccine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15) ◽  
pp. 2165-2176
Author(s):  
Justin R. Ortiz ◽  
Joanie Robertson ◽  
Jui-Shan Hsu ◽  
Stephen L. Yu ◽  
Amanda J. Driscoll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Storage ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
African Region

scholarly journals Routine immunization services in the light of COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 2867
Author(s):  
Chinnu Sara Varughese ◽  
Anuradha Kunal Shah
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Mass Vaccination ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
The World ◽  
Form Part ◽  
Immunization Services ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
Delivery Strategies ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

World immunisation week is observed every year in the last week of 24th April to 30th April. Many parts of the world are still reeling under the threats of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and the importance of vaccination cannot be understated even in times of any other crisis. Worldwide, millions of children are saved from the grip of infectious diseases like polio and measles, and annually, around 2 to 3 million deaths are being averted. Routine immunization services, mass vaccination campaigns, catch up, and mop up sessions through outreach activities form part of the vaccine delivery strategies.

scholarly journals Assessing the capacity of primary health care centres to provide routine immunization services amidst COVID-19 lockdown in Kaduna state, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 3731
Author(s):  
Auwal G. Suleiman ◽  
Abdulhakeem A. Olorukooba ◽  
Zaharadeen S. Babandi ◽  
Shehu S. Umar ◽  
Umar M. Umar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Readiness Assessment ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Immunization Services

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt health systems across the globe, preventing access to essential health services. Lockdown measures against the virus may impact negatively on immunization services. This study aimed to ascertain the capacity of primary health care centres in Kaduna North senatorial district to provide routine immunization services amidst a state-wide lockdown.Methods: Cluster sampling was used to select four among eight local Government areas in the district. Facility in-charges and RI focal persons were interviewed using service availability and readiness assessment tool, restricted to immunization tracer items. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the mean number of vaccine doses given in the first quarter of 2020 (pre-lockdown) and the number of doses given in the second quarter (lockdown period).Results: Forty four PHCs were selected from Zaria (29.6%), Sabon Gari (25.0%), Makarfi (22.7%) and Kudan (22.7%). In addition to well-trained RI focal persons, most facilities had vaccines and commodities available. Shortages were noted for EPI guidelines (46%), Meningitis-A vaccine (36%) and certain cold chain equipment (up to 18%). Tetanus-diphtheria (Td-1) doses given during lockdown period were significantly lower than pre-lockdown doses (Mean difference=-45.58, 95% CI: -74.78 to -16.38, d=0.48). No significant difference exists for infant doses.Conclusions: Despite widespread availability of PHC facilities, trained personnel, vaccines and commodities, gaps still exist in service delivery, cold chain practices and vaccine supply management. Lockdown measures significantly disrupted immunization services and effective risk communication was key to achieving sustained utilization.

scholarly journals Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from COVID-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5188
Author(s):  
Linda Matisāne ◽  
Linda Paegle ◽  
Maija Eglīte ◽  
Lāsma Akūlova ◽  
Asnate Anna Linde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
National Level ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
General Data Protection Regulation ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
General Data ◽  
Back Office ◽  
Vulnerable Workers

Several individual factors like older age and chronic diseases have been linked with more severe symptoms often leading to hospitalization and higher mortality from COVID-19. Part of adults with such factors is still active in the workforce. The objective of the study was to identify measures taken by the employer to protect them and to investigate reasons for low protection of vulnerable workers during the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Answers from 1000 workers collected via web-survey and results from 10 focus group discussions were analyzed. Only 31.5% of respondents mentioned that their employer had identified existing vulnerable groups and offered specific measures to protect them. Moving vulnerable workers away from the workplace was the most frequent measure (e.g., transfer to the back-office without contact with clients, telework, paid vacations, paid downtime). Most employers do not see elderly workers and workers with chronic diseases as risk groups, thus are not specifically protecting them. Instead, several employers have included workers critical for business continuity in their risk group. Others had not taken measures because of the lack of information due to general data protection regulation. Poor communication and lack of interest of employers to ask their workers if they need special protection is the topic to be addressed at the national level.

scholarly journals Structure and Process Evaluation of Cold Chain Management and Routine Immunization Services in Rural Western Gujarat

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-74
Author(s):  
Pithadia Pradeep R ◽  
Shah Viral R ◽  
Makwana Naresh R ◽  
Parmar Dipesh
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Immunization Program ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Immunization Services

Maintenance of cold chain points are vital for preserving potency of vaccines for immunization of children and thereby averting vaccine preventable diseases in the community. Cold chain handlers should have sufficient knowledge and skills related to cold chain equipment handling and immunization practices.  The present study aims to evaluate maintenance of cold chain facilities at primary health care centers (PHCs), related logistics and observation of Mamta Day (Immunization Day). The observations include knowledge and practice of health workers about immunization activities, their communication skills, training status etc. Methods: There are total 31 Primary Health Centers in Jamnagar district, out of which, we decided to include 50% (15) of primary health centers and observed their cold chain, and Immunization day at a subcentre or Anganwadi centre of the selected PHC to assess the quality of immunization services. We included equal number of cold chain points from each block of the district to make it representative of entire district. Results:  Average population served by a cold chain point is 21985. Vaccine related logistics like cold boxes, vaccine carriers etc. were adequate in all facilities. All cold chain equipments were placed as per standard guidelines. The posts of medical officers and pharmacists were vacant in almost one fourth of cold chain points and they were run on deputation from other facilities. The knowledge and skills of health workers related to immunization practices were found to be satisfactory. Conclusion:  We observed that routine immunization program was implementing in the district satisfactorily. The posts of medical officers and pharmacists need to be filled up at the earliest for smooth functioning of immunization program in primary health centres.

scholarly journals Reaching every district (RED) approach to strengthen routine immunization services: evaluation in the African region, 2005

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ryman ◽  
R. Macauley ◽  
D. Nshimirimana ◽  
P. Taylor ◽  
L. Shimp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Routine Immunization ◽  
African Region ◽  
Immunization Services ◽  
Services Evaluation

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization of routine immunization services in Lebanon

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246951
Author(s):  
Ziad Mansour ◽  
Jinan Arab ◽  
Racha Said ◽  
Alissar Rady ◽  
Randa Hamadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
National Level ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Oral Poliovirus Vaccine ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Immunization Services

Introduction The global abrupt progression of the COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt critical life-saving services such as routine immunization (RI), thus increasing the susceptibility of countries to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Being endemic to several infectious diseases, Lebanon might be at increased risk of outbreaks as the utilization of RI services might have deteriorated due to the pandemic and the country’s political unrest following the October 2019 uprising. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the utilization of RI services in both the public and private sectors following the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A self-administered cross-sectional survey was completed electronically, in April 2020, by 345 private pediatricians who are registered in professional associations of physicians in Lebanon and provide immunization services at their clinics. Means of the reported percentages of decrease in the utilization of vaccination services by pediatricians were calculated. As for the public sector, an examination of the monthly differences in the number of administered vaccine doses in addition to their respective percentages of change was performed. Adjustment for the distribution of RI services between the sectors was performed to calculate the national decrease rate. Results The utilization of vaccination services at the national level decreased by 31%. In the private sector, immunization services provision diminished by 46.9% mainly between February and April 2020. The highest decrease rates were observed for oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) and hepatitis A, followed by measles and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. The number of vaccine doses administered in the public sector decreased by 20%. The most prominent reductions were detected for the OPV and measles vaccines, and during October 2019 and March 2020. Conclusion The substantial decrease in the utilization of RI as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic requires public health interventions to prevent future outbreaks of VPDs.

A(H1N1)v cases of the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 influenza seasons in the Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (17) ◽  
pp. 649-654
Author(s):  
Piroska Orosi ◽  
Judit Szidor ◽  
Tünde Tóthné Tóth ◽  
József Kónya
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
National Level ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
High Risk Patient ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
World Health ◽  
Transplant Patients ◽  
Health Organization

The swine-origin new influenza variant A(H1N1) emerged in 2009 and changed the epidemiology of the 2009/2010 influenza season globally and at national level. Aims: The aim of the authors was to analyse the cases of two influenza seasons. Methods: The Medical and Health Sciences Centre of Debrecen University has 1690 beds with 85 000 patients admitted per year. The diagnosis of influenza was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction in the microbiological laboratories of the University and the National Epidemiological Centre, according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Results: The incidence of influenza was not higher than that observed in the previous season, but two high-risk patient groups were identified: pregnant women and patients with immunodeficiency (oncohematological and organ transplant patients). The influenza vaccine, which is free for high-risk groups and health care workers in Hungary, appeared to be effective for prevention, because in the 2010/2011 influenza season none of the 58 patients who were administered the vaccination developed influenza. Conclusion: It is an important task to protect oncohematological and organ transplant patients. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 649–654.

scholarly journals Resource allocation in the Covid-19 health crisis: are Covid-19 preventive measures consistent with the Rule of Rescue?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian W. März ◽  
Søren Holm ◽  
Michael Schlander
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Healthcare Resources ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Rule Of Rescue ◽  
Post War ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
N95 Respirators

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic has led to a health crisis of a scale unprecedented in post-war Europe. In response, a large amount of healthcare resources have been redirected to Covid-19 preventive measures, for instance population-wide vaccination campaigns, large-scale SARS-CoV-2 testing, and the large-scale distribution of protective equipment (e.g., N95 respirators) to high-risk groups and hospitals and nursing homes. Despite the importance of these measures in epidemiological and economic terms, health economists and medical ethicists have been relatively silent about the ethical rationales underlying the large-scale allocation of healthcare resources to these measures. The present paper seeks to encourage this debate by demonstrating how the resource allocation to Covid-19 preventive measures can be understood through the paradigm of the Rule of Rescue, without claiming that the Rule of Rescue is the sole rationale of resource allocation in the Covid-19 pandemic.

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