This research was conducted by Prof. Xiaolin Xu and team from Zhejiang University and published in Vaccines, examines zero-dose self-paid vaccination among migrant and left-behind children. Based on a survey of 1,648 children in Zhejiang and Henan, the study found that migrant and rural children were more likely to be unvaccinated, influenced by caregivers’ lower education, income, and lack of information. The study highlights the need to prioritize self-paid immunization efforts for migrant and rural children to achieve the WHO Immunization Agenda 2030 goal of “leaving no one behind.”
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.
