Advancing the National Immunization Program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in China and beyond
Abstract Background Immunization is a cornerstone of public health. Despite great success, China’s National Immunization Program (NIP) faces challenges, such as the integration of several World Health Organization-recommended vaccines and other systemic issues. The Innovation Laboratory for Vaccine...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Infectious Diseases of Poverty |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-024-01192-6 |
| _version_ | 1827315670211100672 |
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| author | Shu Chen Lance E. Rodewald Anna Heng Du Shenglan Tang |
| author_facet | Shu Chen Lance E. Rodewald Anna Heng Du Shenglan Tang |
| author_sort | Shu Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Immunization is a cornerstone of public health. Despite great success, China’s National Immunization Program (NIP) faces challenges, such as the integration of several World Health Organization-recommended vaccines and other systemic issues. The Innovation Laboratory for Vaccine Delivery Research (VaxLab), supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and established in 2021 at Duke Kunshan University, focuses on enhancing China’s NIP through research and policy advocacy. This editorial aims to summarize the key findings of the manuscripts published in the collection contributed by VaxLab team and set the future research agenda. Key findings The collection contains eleven manuscripts discussing China’s immunization landscape and strategies to improve coverage, particularly for non-NIP vaccines like human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib), and rotavirus vaccines. Key findings include: (i) The COVID-19 vaccination campaign demonstrated China’s capacity for rapid, large-scale immunization efforts, suggesting potential for broader vaccine coverage improvements; (ii) Efforts in combating cervical cancer through the HPV vaccine indicate progress but also highlight challenges like vaccine supply and equitable access; (iii) The lag in adopting higher-valent paediatric combination vaccines in China needs attention to address regulatory and health system hurdles; (iv) Disparities in access to non-NIP vaccines underscore the need for government initiatives to improve vaccine coverage, especially for remote areas and marginalized populations; (v) Original studies emphasize the influence of caregivers’ knowledge, health workers’ financial incentives, and concerns about vaccine efficacy on immunization rates; (vi) Case studies from the Weifang City of China and Indonesia to introduce PCV offer insights on successful vaccine introduction strategies and the impact of innovative financing and government support. Conclusion The articles emphasize the need for government leadership, strategic policymaking, and public awareness to enhance vaccine coverage and equity. The VaxLab will continue strengthening China’s NIP by focusing on vaccine financing, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and improving maternal vaccination coverage. Research will extend to Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions, especially in middle-income countries facing challenges in vaccine financing and delivery. The collective efforts outlined in this collection show a commitment to evolving and adapting immunization strategies to meet global health goals and to provide equitable access to vaccines for all. Graphical Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:01:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4f6e9766459541698d91c7ba75891822 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-9957 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:01:25Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infectious Diseases of Poverty |
| spelling | doaj.art-4f6e9766459541698d91c7ba758918222024-03-17T12:42:08ZengBMCInfectious Diseases of Poverty2049-99572024-03-011311510.1186/s40249-024-01192-6Advancing the National Immunization Program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in China and beyondShu Chen0Lance E. Rodewald1Anna Heng Du2Shenglan Tang3ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), University of New South WalesDepartment of the National Immunization Program, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program, China CDCChina Country Office, Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationDuke Global Health Institute, Duke UniversityAbstract Background Immunization is a cornerstone of public health. Despite great success, China’s National Immunization Program (NIP) faces challenges, such as the integration of several World Health Organization-recommended vaccines and other systemic issues. The Innovation Laboratory for Vaccine Delivery Research (VaxLab), supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and established in 2021 at Duke Kunshan University, focuses on enhancing China’s NIP through research and policy advocacy. This editorial aims to summarize the key findings of the manuscripts published in the collection contributed by VaxLab team and set the future research agenda. Key findings The collection contains eleven manuscripts discussing China’s immunization landscape and strategies to improve coverage, particularly for non-NIP vaccines like human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib), and rotavirus vaccines. Key findings include: (i) The COVID-19 vaccination campaign demonstrated China’s capacity for rapid, large-scale immunization efforts, suggesting potential for broader vaccine coverage improvements; (ii) Efforts in combating cervical cancer through the HPV vaccine indicate progress but also highlight challenges like vaccine supply and equitable access; (iii) The lag in adopting higher-valent paediatric combination vaccines in China needs attention to address regulatory and health system hurdles; (iv) Disparities in access to non-NIP vaccines underscore the need for government initiatives to improve vaccine coverage, especially for remote areas and marginalized populations; (v) Original studies emphasize the influence of caregivers’ knowledge, health workers’ financial incentives, and concerns about vaccine efficacy on immunization rates; (vi) Case studies from the Weifang City of China and Indonesia to introduce PCV offer insights on successful vaccine introduction strategies and the impact of innovative financing and government support. Conclusion The articles emphasize the need for government leadership, strategic policymaking, and public awareness to enhance vaccine coverage and equity. The VaxLab will continue strengthening China’s NIP by focusing on vaccine financing, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and improving maternal vaccination coverage. Research will extend to Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions, especially in middle-income countries facing challenges in vaccine financing and delivery. The collective efforts outlined in this collection show a commitment to evolving and adapting immunization strategies to meet global health goals and to provide equitable access to vaccines for all. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-024-01192-6National Immunization ProgramNew vaccine introductionUniversal vaccine coverageHealth system strengthening |
| spellingShingle | Shu Chen Lance E. Rodewald Anna Heng Du Shenglan Tang Advancing the National Immunization Program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in China and beyond Infectious Diseases of Poverty National Immunization Program New vaccine introduction Universal vaccine coverage Health system strengthening |
| title | Advancing the National Immunization Program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in China and beyond |
| title_full | Advancing the National Immunization Program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in China and beyond |
| title_fullStr | Advancing the National Immunization Program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in China and beyond |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancing the National Immunization Program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in China and beyond |
| title_short | Advancing the National Immunization Program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in China and beyond |
| title_sort | advancing the national immunization program in an era of achieving universal vaccine coverage in china and beyond |
| topic | National Immunization Program New vaccine introduction Universal vaccine coverage Health system strengthening |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-024-01192-6 |
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