Factors Affecting the Introduction of New Vaccines to Poor Nations: A Comparative Study of the Haemophilus influenzae Type B and Hepatitis B Vaccines

Abstract

BackgroundA major effort to introduce new vaccines into poor nations of the world was initiated in recent years with the help of the GAVI alliance. The first vaccines introduced have been the Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and the hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccines. The introduction of these vaccines during the first phase of GAVI's operations demonstrated considerable variability. We set out to study the factors affecting the introduction of these vaccines. The African Region (AFRO), where new vaccines were introduced to a substantial number of countries during the first phase of GAVI's funding, was selected for this study.Methodology/Principal FindingsGAVI-eligible AFRO countries with a population of 0.5 million or more were included in the study. Countries were analyzed and compared for new vaccine introduction, healthcare indicators, financial indicators related to healthcare and country-level Governance Indicators, using One Way ANOVA, correlation analysis and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Introduction of new vaccines into AFRO nations was associated primarily with high country-level Governance Indicator scores. The use of individual Governance Indicator scores, as well as a combined Governance Indicator score we developed, demonstrated similar results.Conclusions/SignificanceOur study results indicate that good country-level governance is an imperative pre-requisite for the successful early introduction of new vaccines into poor African nations. Enhanced support measures may be required to effectively introduce new vaccines to countries with low governance scores. The combined governance score we developed may thus constitute a useful tool for helping philanthropic organizations make decisions regarding the type of support needed by different countries to achieve success.

Identification of HBsAg-specific antibodies from a mammalian cell displayed full-length human antibody library of healthy immunized donor

“…Widely used, vaccination has been effective in preventing HBV infection. 3,4 Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is also important in the management of HBV infection. 5,6 Since vertical transmission is responsible for about 40%-50% of HBV carriers, 5 newborns of mothers who are HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive are generally required to receive HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine within 24 h following delivery and complete the whole regimen of recommended vaccination injections.…”

Political and Governance Challenges to Achieving Global HIV Goals with Injecting Drug Users: The Case of Pakistan

“…60,61 Studies have shown that effective governance of health sector organizations can lead to better implementation and uptake of health technologies. 62 Higher regulatory quality and strong public sector financial management, core components of governance, 63 are associated with lower infant mortality rates, 64 reduced corruption , and increased public health spending. 65 However, despite the widely established benefits of governance, LMICs suffer from weak institutions, poor public infrastructure, low legal capacity, 66 and weak accountability mechanisms.…”

40th Anniversary of Introduction of Expanded Immunization Program (EPI): A Literature Review of Introduction of New Vaccines for Routine Childhood Immunization in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…In the study conducted by Glatman-Freedman A et al [84], the authors found that, not only the availability of funding were behind the success of the introduction of the new vaccines into the immunization program of countries in SSA. The authors identified 3 distinct groups of countries from SSA based on the status of NVI or use during the first phase of GAVI's operation (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005) (Figure 1).…”