MyMedR

Young patients, especially infants with Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) have increased risk of recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections. A complete schedule of immunisations is crucial to protect children from life-threatening infections. However, in most cases, they often miss scheduled vaccinations due to many factors. This case report describes issues in administering routine immunisations to infants with MPS. It is vital to recognise the indications and contraindications of vaccinations for patients with MPS although all vaccines need detailed study to investigate their safety and immunogenicity. Furthermore, regular educational programs are essential for both parents and health providers.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization*

Landscaping analysis of immunization progress and program structures in selected middle income Southeast Asian countries

Basa JE, Clemens R, Clemens SAC, Nicholson M

Vaccine, 2024 Apr 02;42(9):2326-2336.

PMID: 38448324 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.047

This study examined the performance and structures of national immunization program in five middle-income Southeast Asian countries - Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Viet Nam, and Myanmar, and analyzed how the different structures relate to the difference in program performance to identify effective strategies in the study countries that facilitated good immunization performance. Data were derived from published literature, and WHO/UNICEF/Gavi databases, with 2010 as the baseline year. UMICs Malaysia and Thailand maintained ≥90 % coverage from 2010 to 2020 and even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. LMICs Viet Nam and donor-supported Myanmar also achieved 80-90 % coverage for most routine vaccines in 2020. The Philippines have not reached ≥90 % coverage since 2010, with the maximum only 72 % (MCV1 and Polio3) in 2020. All study countries prioritize immunization and increased government financing since 2010 by minimum 91 % in Malaysia and 1897 % in Myanmar. However, Myanmar still largely depended on donor support with government financing only 32 % of immunization costs in 2021. The Philippines funds 100 % of immunization costs and ensures sustainable financing for the NIP through earmarked "sin tax" revenues from alcohol and tobacco. Donor support influenced new vaccine introductions among the study countries, with Gavi countries Myanmar and Viet Nam introducing more new vaccines, compared to Gavi-ineligible Malaysia and Thailand. The Philippines reported vaccine stock-outs every year amounting to 28 stock-outs events from 2010 to 2019, compared to only 1-4 stockouts in the other study countries. Donor support, innovative financing, and domestic vaccine manufacturing all play an important role in the efficient delivery of immunization services as demonstrated by the several new vaccine introductions and high immunization rates in Myanmar though Gavi and UNICEF support, additional annual $1.2 billion budget for health and immunization from "sin taxes" in the Philippines, and lack of stockouts for vaccines sourced at affordable prices from domestic manufacturers in Viet Nam.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization Programs*

Fulltext Immunization: acceptance rates in a military community

Supramaniam V

Med J Malaysia, 1985 Jun;40(2):95-7.

PMID: 3834292

An immunization survey was carried out in early 1983 in a military community. The survey covered 192 children from 147 families. 98% had BCG scars. and 94% had completed their primary course of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and poliomyelitis. The acceptance rate for booster was however low. The time frame for the immunization was also not adhered to strictly. An immunization register has been started in all centres for recall of defaulters. Publicity has also been mounted to ensure all are aware of the immunization programme.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization*; Immunization Schedule

Influence of immunization schedule on immunization coverage

Chen ST

J Trop Med Hyg, 1989 Dec;92(6):386-90.

PMID: 2607571

The infant immunization coverage for triple antigen (DPT) from 1968 and trivalent oral polio vaccine (TOPV) from 1972 to 1985 for Peninsular Malaysia are presented. It shows that immunization coverage improved when the recommended age for first dose of DPT was changed from the fourth to the second month of life in 1972 and declined when the recommended age for the first dose of DPT and TOPV was revised again from the second to the third month of life in 1980. The advantages of immunizing children early in life are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization*; Immunization Schedule*

Fulltext COVID-19 vaccinations for children

Mariatulqabtiah AR, Buttigieg KR

Lancet Infect Dis, 2022 Sep;22(9):1255-1256.

PMID: 35760075 DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00414-5

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization Schedule

Fulltext Cost-based COVID-19 vaccination and willingness to pay: A post-pandemic review

Wong LP, Lee HY, Alias H, Zimet G, Liu T, Lin Y, et al.

Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2024 Dec 31;20(1):2313860.

PMID: 38359815 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2313860

The primary objective of this paper is to serve as a valuable resource for policymakers who are confronted with the evolving landscape of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), considering both free and cost-based vaccination approaches. The potential consequences of shifting from free to cost-based vaccination are explored, encompassing its impact on global vaccine equity and prioritization, economic well-being, healthcare systems and delivery, public health policies, and vaccine distribution strategies. Examining past studies on willingness to pay for the initial COVID-19 vaccine dose and booster shots provides insights into how individuals value COVID-19 vaccinations and underscores the significance of addressing issues related to affordability. If COVID-19 vaccinations incur expenses, using effective communication strategies that emphasize the importance of vaccination and personal health benefits can increase willingness to pay. Making COVID-19 vaccines accessible through public health programs or health insurance can help alleviate financial barriers and increase vaccination rates.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization, Secondary

Fulltext Landscape of vaccine access and health technology assessment role in decision-making process in ASEAN countries

Taychakhoonavudh S, Chumchujan W, Hutubessy R, Chaiyakunapruk N

Hum Vaccin Immunother, 2020 07 02;16(7):1728-1737.

PMID: 32574124 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1769388

Over the past few years, many innovative vaccines became available that offer protection for diseases which have never been prevented before. While there are several factors that could have an impact on access, the use of health technology assessment (HTA) undoubtedly is also one of the contributing factors. Objectives: To explore the landscape of vaccine access and the role of HTA in new vaccine adoption in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Results: A great deal of progress has been made in terms of access to new and innovation vaccine in the region. Variation in access to these vaccines comparing between countries, however, is still observed. The use of HTA in supporting new vaccine adoption is still in an early stage especially in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance-eligible countries. Conclusions: Improving the use of HTA evidences to support decision making could accelerate the efficient adoption of new vaccine in ASEAN region.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization Programs*

The improvement of immunization coverage by early immunisation of children in Malaysia

Chen ST

Med J Malaysia, 1976 Sep;31(1):17-9.

PMID: 1023007

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization Schedule*

Evaluating effective measles vaccine coverage in the Malaysian population accounting for between-dose correlation and vaccine efficacy

Kumar SS, Hartner AM, Chandran A, Gaythorpe KAM, Li X

BMC Public Health, 2023 Nov 28;23(1):2351.

PMID: 38017415 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17082-9

BACKGROUND: Malaysia introduced the two dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in 2004 as part of its measles elimination strategy. However, despite high historical coverage of MCV1 and MCV2, Malaysia continues to report high measles incidence. This study suggests a novel indicator for investigating population immunity against measles in the Malaysian population.

METHODS: We define effective vaccine coverage (EVC) of measles as the proportion of a population vaccinated with measles-containing vaccine (MCV) and effectively protected against measles infection. A quantitative evaluation of EVC throughout the life course of Malaysian birth cohorts was conducted accounting for both vaccine efficacy (VE) and between-dose correlation (BdC). Measles vaccination coverage was sourced from WHO-UNICEF estimates of Malaysia's routine immunisation coverage and supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs). United Nations World population estimates and projections (UNWPP) provided birth cohort sizes stratified by age and year. A step wise joint Bernoulli distribution was used to proportionate the Malaysian population born between 1982, the first year of Malaysia's measles vaccination programme, and 2021, into individuals who received zero dose, one dose and multiple doses of MCV. VE estimates by age and doses received are then adopted to derive EVC. A sensitivity analysis was conducted using 1000 random combinations of BdC and VE parameters.

RESULTS: This study suggests that no birth cohort in the Malaysian population has achieved > 95% population immunity (EVC) conferred through measles vaccination since the measles immunisation programme began in Malaysia.

CONCLUSION: The persistence of measles in Malaysia is due to pockets of insufficient vaccination coverage against measles in the population. Monitoring BdC through immunisation surveillance systems may allow for the identification of susceptible subpopulations (primarily zero-dose MCV individuals) and increase the coverage of individuals who are vaccinated with multiple doses of MCV. This study provides a tool for assessment of national-level population immunity of measles conferred through vaccination and does not consider subnational heterogeneity or vaccine waning. This tool can be readily applied to other regions and vaccine-preventable diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization Schedule; Immunization Programs

Fulltext Informing pneumococcal conjugate vaccine policy in middle-income countries: The case of Malaysia

Tricarico S, McNeil HC, Head MG, Cleary DW, Clarke SC, MYCarriage

Vaccine, 2017 04 25;35(18):2288-2290.

PMID: 28347503 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.03.053

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization/legislation & jurisprudence*; Immunization/statistics & numerical data; Immunization Programs/legislation & jurisprudence*

Fulltext Adult immunization--a neglected issue in Southeast Asia

Isahak I, Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Asia

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2000 Mar;31(1):173-84.

PMID: 11023089

Adult immunization is a neglected and underpublicised issue in Southeast Asia. Vaccine-preventable diseases cause unnecessary morbidity and mortality among adults in the region, while inadequate immunization results in unnecessary costs, including those associated with hospitalization, treatment, and loss of income. Childhood vaccination coverage is high for the EPI diseases of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; however, unvaccinated, undervaccinated, and aging adults with waning immunity remain at risk from infection and may benefit from vaccination. Catch-up immunization is advisable for adults seronegative for hepatitis B virus, while immunization against the hepatitis A and varicella viruses may benefit those who remain susceptible. Among older adults, immunization against influenza and pneumococcal infections is likely to be beneficial in reducing morbidity and mortality. Certain vaccinations are also recommended for specific groups, such as rubella for women of child-bearing age, typhoid for those travelling to high-endemicity areas, and several vaccines for high-risk occupational groups such as health care workers. This paper presents an overview of a number of vaccine-preventable diseases which occur in adults, and highlights the importance of immunization to protect those at risk of infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization*; Immunization Programs

Fulltext Knowledge on immunisation among nurses in Malaysia

Lidwina Edwin Amir

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):21-21.

MyJurnal

Introduction: The National Immunization Program in Malaysia began in the 1950s and was integrated into the Ma-ternal and Child Health Program. Administrative data showed that coverage for all vaccinations was more than 95% except for measles vaccination. Despite the high coverage, there were clusters of outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. One of the reasons is the increasing phenomena of vaccines refusals following the rapid spread of negative perception and concerns through social media. Nurses as front liners play an important role to communicate on vac-cine safety and adverse events (AEFI). A survey was conducted to identify the level of knowledge among nurses who deal with immunisation programme. Methods: Nurses from all states attending a National seminar on immunisation communication in Putrajaya were asked to answer a Digital online questionnaire. They were asked to answer 12 questions on knowledge of vaccines, immunization schedule and cold chain management. Results: A total of 74% (429) of the seminar participants responded to the questionnaire, of which 85% were from the government sector and 15% from private. Findings showed that although about 75% of the nurses had formal training on immunisation, 50% had lack of knowledge about vaccination schedule for defaulters and 63.2% (268) had knowledge gaps related to questions on vaccines and handling of vaccines. Conclusion: In view of the knowledge gap from this survey, there is a need for ongoing training for the nurses and evaluation by supervisors on the knowledge and practices among nurses.

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization; Immunization Schedule; Immunization Programs

Fulltext COVID-19: A call for awareness or mandatory vaccination even in pandemics?

Wong YJ, Lee SWH

J Glob Health, 2021 Jan 30;11:03005.

PMID: 33643615 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.03005

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization Schedule; Immunization Programs/trends*

The Bard's birthday, immunization, and public health

Binns C, Low WY

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2014 Jul;26(4):336-8.

PMID: 24947830 DOI: 10.1177/1010539514539795

Matched MeSH terms: Immunization*

Fulltext Rubella immunization in Malaysia--20 years on, and the challenges ahead