Introduction of Two-Dose Mumps-Containing Vaccine into Routine Immunization Schedule in Quzhou, China, Using Cox-Proportional Hazard Model

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by the mumps virus, but the incidence of mumps has increased among the children who were vaccinated with one-dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) in recent years. In this study, we analyzed the influence of different doses of mumps-containing vaccine (MuCV) against mumps using Cox-proportional hazard model. We collected 909 mumps cases of children who were born from 2006 to 2010 and vaccinated with different doses of MuCV in Quzhou during 2006-2018, which were all clinically diagnosed. Kaplan-Meier survival methods and Cox-proportional hazard model were used to estimate the hazard probabilities. Kaplan–Meier curves showed that the cumulative hazard of male and female has no difference; lower hazards were detected among those who were vaccinated with two-dose MuCV, born in 2006, and infected after supplementary immunization activities (SIA). Cox-proportional hazard regression suggested that onset after SIA, born in 2006, and vaccinated with two-dose MuCV were protective factors against infection even after adjusting for potential confounding effects. Our study showed that it was necessary to revise the diagnostic criteria of mumps and identify RT-PCR as the standard for mumps diagnosis in China. We suggested that routine immunization schedule should introduce two doses of MMR and prevaccination screening should be performed before booster immunization in vaccinated populations.

Assessing safety of Ontario’s publicly funded MMR and MMRV immunization programs, 2012 to 2016

Background The combined measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccines are part of Ontario’s routine immunization schedule. Objective To assess adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) reported in Ontario following administration of MMR and MMRV vaccines between 2012 and 2016. Methods Reports of AEFIs were extracted from the provincial surveillance database on May 9, 2017. Events were grouped by provincial surveillance definitions. Reporting rates were calculated using provincial population estimates or net doses distributed as the denominator. A serious AEFI is defined as an AEFI that resulted in an in-patient hospitalization or death. Results Overall, 289 AEFIs were reported following administration of MMR (n=246) or MMRV (n=43) vaccines, for annualized reporting rates of 16.6 and 8.8 reports per 100,000 distributed doses, respectively. The highest age-specific reporting rate was in children aged 1 to 3 years for MMR (7.7 per 100,000 population) and children aged 4 to 9 years for MMRV (0.8 per 100,000 population). Systemic reactions were the most frequently reported event category, while rash was the most frequently reported event for both vaccines. There were 22 serious AEFIs, 19 following MMR and 3 following MMRV (1.3 and 0.6 per 100,000 doses distributed, respectively). Conclusions Our assessment found a low reporting rate of adverse events following MMR and MMRV vaccines in Ontario. No safety concerns were identified. Our findings are consistent with the safety profiles of these vaccines. Continued monitoring of vaccine safety is necessary to maintain timely detection of unusual postvaccine events and public confidence in vaccine safety.

Demonstration of the Use of Remote Temperature Monitoring Devices in Vaccine Refrigerators in Haiti

After the 2010 earthquake, Haiti committed to introducing 4 new antigens into its routine immunization schedule, which required improving its cold chain (ie, temperature-controlled supply chain) and increasing vaccine storage capacity by installing new refrigerators. We tested the feasibility of using remote temperature monitoring devices (RTMDs) in Haiti in a sample of vaccine refrigerators fueled by solar panels, propane gas, or electricity. We analyzed data from 16 RTMDs monitoring 24 refrigerators in 15 sites from March through August 2014. Although 5 of the 16 RTMDs exhibited intermittent data gaps, we identified typical temperature patterns consistent with refrigerator door opening and closing, propane depletion, thermostat insufficiency, and overstocking. Actual start-up, annual maintenance, and annual electricity costs for using RTMDs were $686, $179, and $9 per refrigerator, respectively. In Haiti, RTMD use was feasible. RTMDs could be prioritized for use with existing refrigerators with high volumes of vaccines and new refrigerators to certify their functionality before use. Vaccine vial monitors could provide additional useful information about cumulative heat exposure and possible vaccine denaturation.