Inequality in Immunization: Holding on to Equity as We ‘Catch Up’

Nambiar, Devaki; Hosseinpoor, Ahmad Reza; Bergen, Nicole; Danovaro-Holliday, M. Carolina; Wallace, Aaron S.; Johnson, Hope L.

doi:10.3390/vaccines11050913

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 31 publications

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“…Inequality in immunization is normally interpreted to refer to discrepancies in coverage by socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, and/or geography [ 1 , 2 ]. However, these factors should be understood not only as gradients of vaccine coverage but also as drivers of effective demand for immunization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Of Money and Men: A Scoping Review to Map Gender Barriers to Immunization Coverage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Kalbarczyk,

Brownlee,

Katz

2024

Vaccines

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Among the multiple factors impeding equitable childhood immunization coverage in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), gender barriers stand out as perhaps the most universal. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of gender considerations in immunization programming, there has not yet been a systematic assessment of the evidence on gender barriers to immunization. We conducted a scoping review to fill that gap, identifying 92 articles that described gender barriers to immunization. Studies documented a range of gender influencers across 43 countries in Africa and South Asia. The barrier to immunization coverage most frequently cited in the literature is women’s lack of autonomous decision-making. Access to immunization is significantly impacted by women’s time poverty; direct costs are also a barrier, particularly when female caregivers rely on family members to cover costs. Challenges with clinic readiness compound female caregiver’s time constraints. Some of the most important gender barriers lie outside of the usual purview of immunization programming but other barriers can be addressed with adaptations to vaccination programming. We can only know how important these barriers are with more research that measures the impact of programming on gender barriers to immunization coverage.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Of Money and Men: A Scoping Review to Map Gender Barriers to Immunization Coverage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Kalbarczyk,

Brownlee,

Katz

2024

Vaccines

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Quality improvement programmes in paediatric sepsis from a global perspective

de Souza,

Paul,

Mozun

et al. 2024

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

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COVID-19 Vaccination and Public Health: Addressing Global, Regional, and Within-Country Inequalities

Santangelo,

Provenzano,

Di Martino

et al. 2024

Vaccines

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The COVID-19 pandemic, with over 775 million cases and 7 million deaths by May 2024, has drastically impacted global public health and exacerbated existing healthcare inequalities. The swift development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines have been critical in combating the virus, yet disparities in access to and administration of the vaccine have highlighted deep-seated inequities at global, regional, and national levels. Wealthier nations have benefited from early access to vaccines, while low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have faced persistent shortages. Initiatives such as COVAX aimed to address these disparities, but challenges persist. Socioeconomic factors, education, ethnic identity, and the healthcare infrastructure play crucial roles in vaccine equity. For example, lower-income individuals often face barriers such as poor access to healthcare, misinformation, and logistical challenges, particularly in rural areas. Addressing these inequities requires a multifaceted approach, integrating national policies with local strategies to enhance vaccines’ accessibility, counter misinformation, and ensure equitable distribution. Collaborative efforts at all levels are essential to promote vaccine equity and effectively control the pandemic, ensuring that all populations have fair access to life-saving vaccines. This review explores these complex issues, offering insights into the barriers and facilitators of vaccine equity and providing recommendations to promote more equitable and effective vaccination programs. With a focus on the different levels at which vaccination policies are planned and implemented, the text provides guidelines to steer vaccination strategies, emphasizing the role of international cooperation and local policy frameworks as keys to achieving equitable vaccination coverage.

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Inequality in Immunization: Holding on to Equity as We ‘Catch Up’

Abstract: Immunization, hailed as one of the most successful public health interventions in the world, has contributed to major advancements in health as well as social and economic development [...]

Cited by 4 publications

References 31 publications

Of Money and Men: A Scoping Review to Map Gender Barriers to Immunization Coverage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Of Money and Men: A Scoping Review to Map Gender Barriers to Immunization Coverage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Quality improvement programmes in paediatric sepsis from a global perspective

COVID-19 Vaccination and Public Health: Addressing Global, Regional, and Within-Country Inequalities

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