This commentary was written by Lance E. Rodewald, Sr. Consultant of China Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The article is published in Infectious Diseases of Poverty. China’s National Immunization Program (NIP) carried out a unified and tightly coordinated COVID-19 vaccination campaign during the pandemic, promoting vaccination in a short period by executing strategies such as cross-sectoral coordination and community mobilization, the achievements of which include >90% vaccine coverage and timely monitoring vaccine coverage, acceptability, safety, and effectiveness. Lance believes that the legacy of the pandemic response, including the practical experience and infrastructure, has well prepared China for the expansion of the National Immunization Program.
Closing the immunization gap: Overcoming barriers for new vaccine introduction in Southeast and South Asia
This review, conducted by Innovation Lab for Vaccine Delivery Research (VaxLab) from Duke Kunshan University, was published in Vaccine. The study systematically compares the status of new vaccine introduction within national immunization programs across 13 countries in Southeast and South Asia, with a particular focus on differences associated with Gavi funding eligibility. The findings show that countries eligible for Gavi’s middle-income country (MIC) support approach lag behind in introducing key vaccines such as pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and rotavirus vaccine. Major barriers include underdeveloped evidence-based decision-making processes, limited domestic financing, high vaccine prices, and gaps in immunization system readiness. This article highlights the need to strengthen governance and sustainable financing mechanisms, optimize resource use, and leverage targeted technical support from global partners to accelerate equitable access to life-saving vaccines and advance the Immunization Agenda 2030.
