Public health impact and return on investment of Belgium’s pediatric immunization program

ObjectiveWe evaluated the public health impact and return on investment of Belgium’s pediatric immunization program (PIP) from both healthcare-sector and societal perspectives.MethodsWe developed a decision analytic model for 6 vaccines routinely administered in Belgium for children aged 0–10 years: DTaP-IPV-HepB-Hib, DTaP-IPV, MMR, PCV, rotavirus, and meningococcal type C. We used separate decision trees to model each of the 11 vaccine-preventable pathogens: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, rubella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, rotavirus, and meningococcal type C; hepatitis B was excluded because of surveillance limitations. The 2018 birth cohort was followed over its lifetime. The model projected and compared health outcomes and costs with and without immunization (based on vaccine-era and pre–vaccine era disease incidence estimates, respectively), assuming that observed reductions in disease incidence were fully attributable to vaccination. For the societal perspective, the model included productivity loss costs associated with immunization and disease in addition to direct medical costs. The model estimated discounted cases averted, disease-related deaths averted, life-years gained, quality-adjusted life-years gained, costs (2020 euros), and an overall benefit–cost ratio. Scenario analyses considered alternate assumptions for key model inputs.ResultsAcross all 11 pathogens, we estimated that the PIP prevented 226,000 cases of infections and 200 deaths, as well as the loss of 7,000 life-years and 8,000 quality-adjusted life-years over the lifetime of a birth cohort of 118,000 children. The PIP was associated with discounted vaccination costs of €91 million from the healthcare-sector perspective and €122 million from the societal perspective. However, vaccination costs were more than fully offset by disease-related costs averted, with the latter amounting to a discounted €126 million and €390 million from the healthcare-sector and societal perspectives, respectively. As a result, pediatric immunization was associated with overall discounted savings of €35 million and €268 million from the healthcare-sector and societal perspectives, respectively; every €1 invested in childhood immunization resulted in approximately €1.4 in disease-related cost savings to the health system and €3.2 in cost savings from a societal perspective for Belgium’s PIP. Estimates of the value of the PIP were most sensitive to changes in input assumptions for disease incidence, productivity losses due to disease-related mortality, and direct medical disease costs.ConclusionBelgium’s PIP, which previously had not been systematically assessed, provides large-scale prevention of disease-related morbidity and premature mortality, and is associated with net savings to health system and society. Continued investment in the PIP is warranted to sustain its positive public health and financial impact

Drivers of and barriers to routine adult vaccination: A systematic literature review

We performed a systematic literature review in PubMed and Embase (2016–2021) to investigate the drivers of and barriers to routine vaccination in adults aged 50 and older globally. A thematic assessment identified three categories across 61 publications: sociodemographic, health-related, and attitudinal. The most common sociodemographic determinants (factors identified in studies; n = 47) associated with vaccination uptake were economic status, age, education, and household composition, which had mixed effects on vaccine uptake. For health-related determinants (n = 27), individuals with comorbidities and health care consumption were the most common factors, both increased vaccine uptake. The most common attitudinal factors (n = 42) were self-efficacy, provider or other’s recommendations, and vaccine-preventable disease awareness; across studies, all attitude factors had a positive effect, unlike the sociodemographic and health status categories. Findings suggest that patient and provider awareness and education campaigns are effective ways to increase uptake of routine vaccinations in older adults

A review of factors influencing vaccination policies and programs for older adults globally

Policies and programs to increase vaccine coverage rates among adults 50 years of age or older are limited and vaccine uptake is often suboptimal. Our review evaluated evidence on the effectiveness and success of adult-targeted vaccination interventions and identified literature gaps. Literature was retrieved (2021) from PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. Outcomes assessed included data on an intervention’s effectiveness and impact on vaccine uptake. Interventions were characterized thematically: affordability (n = 9), awareness (n = 25), and vaccination access (n = 6); and included influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus-containing, and herpes zoster vaccines. Interactive interventions directed toward patients, including provider-led educational initiatives and provider recommendations showed more positive associations than less interactive interventions, such as posters and reminder-recall letters. Provider interventions, including awareness campaigns, incentives, affordability efforts, or vaccination site expansion generally showed positive associations. Combining interventions was found to be successful across several studies. Barriers and interventions varied for population subgroups, therefore, tailoring programs is critical

Comparing alternative methods of measuring cumulative risk based on multiple risk indicators: Are there differential effects on children's externalizing problems?

This study examined several alternative methods to measure cumulative risk (CR) based on multiple risk indicators. Several methods for measuring CR are presented and their conceptual and methodological assumptions are assessed. More specifically, at the individual risk level, we examined the implications of various measurement approaches (i.e., dichotomous, proportion- and z-scores). At the composite level, we measured CR as an observed score, and compared this approach with two variable-centered approaches (consisting of reflective and formative indicators) and two person-centered approaches (consisting of latent class analysis and latent profile analysis). A decision tree was proposed to aid researchers in comparing and choosing the alternative methods. Using a sample of 169 low-income families (children approximately 5 years old, 51% girls; 74% African American, and their primary caregiver), we specified models to represent each of the alternative methods. Across models, the multiple risk composite was based on a set of 12 individual risk indicators including low maternal education, hunger, meal and money unpredictability, maternal psychopathology, maternal substance use, harsh parenting, family stress, and family violence. For each model, we estimated the effect size of the composite CR variable on children's externalizing problems. Results indicated that the variable-centered CR composites had larger effects than the observed summary score CR indices and the person-centered methods

Attitudes and Beliefs around the Value of Vaccination in the United States

Despite the benefits of immunization, differences in attitudes persist toward vaccines. We captured individuals’ perceptions of vaccines and vaccination across the United States (US) to inform vaccine-related policy development. A survey was completed by 5000 respondents from 10 states. Respondents were screened for inclusion, which included individuals ≥ 18 years of age that had received a vaccine or were unvaccinated but indicated a favorable or neutral attitude towards vaccinations. Participants were excluded if they indicated they did not support the idea of vaccinations. Questions explored perceptions of vaccines for all age groups. Among unvaccinated individuals, the most common concerns were about safety (38%). Most respondents (95%) highlighted the importance of state immunization programs for disease prevention. Access to health and immunization records and immunization information systems were important to 96% and 88% of respondents, respectively, for future health planning. Doctors and healthcare professionals (HCPs) were considered trusted sources for vaccine information (95%). Overall, respondents recognized the importance of vaccination, but documented concerns among the unvaccinated indicated a need for greater promotion regarding vaccine safety. Doctors and HCPs, as trusted information sources, should continue to and increasingly advocate for the importance of immunization to increase vaccine uptake

Intersection of policy and Immunization Information Systems (IIS)

Abstract Background Immunization information systems (IIS) are confidential, population-based computerized databases that record vaccination doses administered to persons residing within a given geopolitical area. We sought to highlight the evolution of IIS policy over the last two decades, as IIS play a pivotal role in achieving equitable and high vaccine uptake. Methods Legal epidemiological research methods were used to assess relevant IIS statutes and administrative codes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Philadelphia, and New York City. Where relevant, laws were cross-checked or supplemented with state and local health department resources. Comparisons to previous legal studies enabled evaluation of trends in IIS laws over time. Results The compilation of current laws provides an updated overview of the diverse interstate and intrastate policies within the US that govern the capabilities and implementation of IIS. The findings of this study show the progress that has been made in the past decade in improving policies that enable IIS to be utilized across the life-course. Conversely, gaps in IIS data collection, limited interoperability with local and national health information systems, and inconsistent access to view or utilize IIS records due to existing policies, continue to limit the full potential of IIS. Conclusions In the United States (US), IIS are implemented and managed at the state and local level, creating variability in IIS policies and implementation. Findings from this study serve as a comprehensive benchmark of current IIS laws that may aid policy stakeholders who are exploring amendments to jurisdictional IIS laws

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccination uptake in the United States and strategies to recover and improve vaccination rates: A review

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine healthcare delivery, causing declines in CDC-recommended vaccination rates across the life-course in the United States (US). Ensuring protection against disease outbreaks and associated morbidity and mortality depends on improving vaccine coverage rates (VCRs) and uptake. The authors conducted a targeted literature review to assess the pandemic’s effects on routine vaccination rates across different populations, evaluating VCR recovery and improvement efforts. The review highlights articles published with data measuring or evaluating VCR decline across the US during the COVID-19 pandemic from January 2020 to April 2022, associated health impacts, and policy and programmatic strategies to recover routine VCRs. While vaccination rates stagnated or declined across some populations pre-pandemic, the review indicated there were further VCR declines in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019 across numerous CDC-recommended vaccines, ages, and geographies, with some vaccines and sub-populations disproportionally impacted. The review additionally identified declines in patient healthcare visit frequency and increases in morbidity and mortality associated with vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) complications. Reviewed publications highlighted multifaceted strategies that could aid in recovering VCRs. Overall, findings demonstrate a significant reduction in VCRs across all age groups and highlight promising solutions to inform vaccine uptake efforts and ensure broader protection against VPDs

Protocol for a systematic scoping review to identify factors that determine a country’s readiness to deploy a vaccination programme

A systematic scoping review to identify factors to assess a country’s readiness to deploy a new or underutilized vaccine at a national level

Additional file 1 of Intersection of policy and Immunization Information Systems (IIS)

Additional file 1