Worldwide, rotavirus infection has been a leading cause of severe diarrhea morbidity and mortality. Two rotavirus vaccines have been used in the National Immunization Program (NIP) in Mexico; two-dose Rotarix from 2006 to 2011 and three-dose RotaTeq since 2011. This study assessed coverage (receiving at least one dose or full dose series) in eligible infants, compliance (% completing dose series and % completing series on schedule) in eligible infants vaccinated with Rotarix (2010) versus RotaTeq (2012), using Mexican Social Security Institute data nationwide and by regions.In 2010, 80.7% received at least one dose of Rotarix, 75.6% received both doses and 57.0% received both doses on schedule. In 2012, 85.7% received at least one dose of RotaTeq, 61.0% received all three doses and 43.2% received all three doses on schedule. More eligible infants received all doses with Rotarix versus RotaTeq (p < 0.001). Among infants vaccinated with Rotarix versus RotaTeq, 93.7% versus 71.1% completed full series (p < 0.001), and 75.5% versus 70.9% completed full series on schedule (p = 0.105), respectively. The full series coverage and compliance decreased in all regions with RotaTeq compared with Rotarix. In conclusion, rotavirus vaccination has successfully reduced morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years in Mexico. This study found significant differences in full series coverage and compliance among infants and a higher proportion of completed scheduled at an earlier age in Mexico when comparing a two-dose vaccine in 2010 with a three-dose vaccine in 2012. Such differences might need to be taken into consideration to maximize NIP benefits, including early protection of the rotavirus vaccination program.

No abstract

Objective s : To estimate hepatitis B virus (HBV) seroprevalence from natural infection or vaccination in 10–25-year-olds in Mexico, using the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). Methods : Randomly selected serum samples (1,581) from adolescents and young adults, representative of 38,924,584 Mexicans, were analyzed to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). Weighted HBV seroprevalence in the Mexican population and association with sociodemographic variables were calculated. Results : Overall weighted seroprevalence from natural infection (positive for anti-HBs and anti-HBc) was 0.23% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.10–0.52). No HBsAg was detected, indicating no acute or chronic infection. Vaccine-derived immunity (positive ≥ 10.0 mIU/ml for anti-HBs and negative to anti-HBc) was 44.7% (95% CI: 40.2–49.4) overall; lower in persons aged 20–25 years (40.83%) than in persons aged 10–19 years (47.7%). Among the population analyzed, 54.2% (95% CI: 49.6–58.8) were seronegative to HBV (negative for all three markers) and no sociodemographic risk factors were identified. Conclusions : HBV seroprevalence from natural infection was low. Vaccination-induced immunity was higher among Mexican adolescents than young adults, possibly due to vaccination policies since 1999.

Even though the simulations for Prevenar-13 and Synflorix® revealed both of them to be cost-effective when used to instrument pediatric vaccination campaigns in Mexico, Synflorix® had a better cost-utility/effectiveness profile. In addition, although Prevenar-13 and Synflorix® produced equivalent health outcomes, the overall analysis predicted that Synflorix® would save 360 million Mexican pesos, as compared with Prevenar-13.

Despite vaccination programs, influenza still represents a significant disease burden in Mexico. We conducted an observational, retrospective analysis to better understand the epidemiological situation of the influenza virus in Mexico. Analysis of the seasonal patterns of influenza A and B were based on the Directorate General of Epidemiology dataset of influenza-like illness(ILI), and severe acute respiratory infection(SARI) that were recorded between January 2010 and December 2013. Our objectives were 1) to describe influenza A and B activity, by age group, and subtype and, 2) to analyze the number of laboratory-confirmed cases presenting with ILI by influenza type, the regional distribution of influenza, and its clinical features. Three periods of influenza activity were captured: August 2010–January 2011, December 2011–March 2012, and October 2012–March 2013. Cases were reported throughout Mexico, with 50.3% (n = 10,320) of cases found in 18–49 year olds. Over the entire capture period, a total of 76,085 ILI/SARI episodes had swab samples analyzed for influenza, 27% were positive. During the same period, influenza A cases were higher in the 18–49 years old, and influenza B cases in both 5–17 and 18–49 age groups. Peak activity occurred in January 2012 (n = 4,159) and December 2012 (n = 348) for influenza A and B respectively. This analysis confirms that influenza is an important respiratory pathogen for children and adults in Mexico despite vaccination recommendations. School-age children and adolescents were more prone to influenza B infection; while younger adults were susceptible to both influenza A and B viruses. Over the seasons, influenza A and B co-circulated.