Multiple health priorities, limited human resources and logistical capacities, as well as expensive vaccines with limited funds available increase the need for evidence-based decision making in immunization programs. The aim of the Supporting Independent Immunization and Vaccine Advisory Committees (SIVAC) Initiative is to support countries in the establishment or strengthening of National Immu...

BACKGROUND Current and past pertussis epidemiology in the two parts of Germany is compared in the context of different histories of vaccination recommendations and coverage to better understand patterns of disease transmission. METHODS Available regional pertussis surveillance and vaccination coverage data, supplemented by a literature search for published surveys as well as official national...

Immunization is widely regarded as one of the most effective and beneficial tools for protecting the public's health. In the United States, immunization programs have resulted in the eradication of smallpox, the elimination of polio, and the control and near-elimination of other oncecommon, often debilitating, and potentially life-threatening diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, diphthe...

BACKGROUND Vaccination of health care workers (HCWs) is an important patient safety initiative. It prevents influenza infection among patients and reduces staff illness and absenteeism. Despite these benefits, HCW influenza immunization uptake is low. Therefore, strategies to achieve high immunization coverage in HCWs, barriers to uptake, and perceptions of mandatory influenza immunization poli...

Spread of computer viruses can be modeled as the SIS (susceptible-infected-susceptible) epidemic propagation. We show that in order to ensure the random immunization or the targeted immunization effectively prevent computer viruses propagation on homogeneous networks, we should install antivirus programs in every computer node and frequently update those programs. This may produce large work an...

BACKGROUND The greatest challenge facing expanded programs on immunization in general, and in Burkina Faso in particular, lies in their capacity to achieve and sustain levels of immunization coverage that will ensure effective protection of children. This article aims to demonstrate that full immunization coverage of children, which is the primary indicator for monitoring national immunization ...

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are safe and effective for reducing illness and deaths caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Recommendations for PCV use from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the GAVI Alliance have resulted in an increase in PCV introductions into national immunization programs, especially in lower-income countries. Additionally, new formulations that co...

A cluster of infant deaths due to severe metabolic acidosis following immunization was reported in a prosperous farming village in Egypt. Fears that more deaths might occur, and of a deleterious effect on national immunization programs prompted an urgent investigation by national and international partners. The deaths, and other previously unrecognized illness following immunization, were assoc...

BACKGROUND Measles is a significant contributor to child mortality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), despite routine immunization programs and supplementary immunization activities (SIA). Further, national immunization coverage levels may hide disparities among certain groups of children, making effective measles control even more challenging. This study describes measles vaccinati...