The research was conducted by Xiaohua Ying and team from Fudan University and published in Infectious Diseases of Poverty. This study investigates the vaccination rates and primary obstacles associated with four non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines in China which reveals disparate coverage rates, with the Hib vaccine leading at 54.9-55.9%. The research underscores the urgency of improving the coverage for these vaccines, reducing regional disparities, and suggests a cautious, gradual approach to their inclusion in the national immunization plan, with special attention to high-risk populations and underdeveloped regions.
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.
