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Bhatt A, Monk V, Bhatti A, Eiden AL, Hermany L, Hansen N, Connolly MP, Baxter L, Vanderslott S, Mitrovich R, Slater R. Identifying factors that can be used to assess a country's readiness to deploy a new vaccine or improve uptake of an underutilised vaccine: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080370. [PMID: 38719292 PMCID: PMC11086410 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Identifying whether a country is ready to deploy a new vaccine or improve uptake of an existing vaccine requires knowledge of a diverse range of interdependent, context-specific factors. This scoping review aims to identify common themes that emerge across articles, which include tools or guidance that can be used to establish whether a country is ready to deploy a new vaccine or increase uptake of an underutilised vaccine. DESIGN Scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews guidelines. DATA SOURCES Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched for articles published until 9 September 2023. Relevant articles were also identified through expert opinion. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Articles published in any year or language that included tools or guidance to identify factors that influence a country's readiness to deploy a new or underutilised vaccine. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two independent reviewers screened records and performed data extraction. Findings were synthesised by conducting a thematic analysis. RESULTS 38 articles met our inclusion criteria; these documents were created using methodologies including expert review panels and Delphi surveys and varied in terms of content and context-of-use. 12 common themes were identified relevant to a country's readiness to deploy a new or underutilised vaccine. These themes were as follows: (1) legal, political and professional consensus; (2) sociocultural factors and communication; (3) policy, guidelines and regulations; (4) financing; (5) vaccine characteristics and supply logistics; (6) programme planning; (7) programme monitoring and evaluation; (8) sustainable and integrated healthcare provision; (9) safety surveillance and reporting; (10) disease burden and characteristics; (11) vaccination equity and (12) human resources and training of professionals. CONCLUSIONS This information has the potential to form the basis of a globally applicable evidence-based vaccine readiness assessment tool that can inform policy and immunisation programme decision-makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aomesh Bhatt
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Vaneesha Monk
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Amanda L Eiden
- Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence (CORE), Merck & Co Inc, North Wales, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | - Luke Baxter
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Mestre-Ferrándiz J, Rivero A, Orrico-Sánchez A, Hidalgo Á, Abdalla F, Martín I, Álvarez J, García-Cenoz M, Del Carmen Pacheco M, Garcés-Sánchez M, Zozaya N, Ortiz-de-Lejarazu R. Evaluation of antibody-based preventive alternatives for respiratory syncytial virus: a novel multi-criteria decision analysis framework and assessment of nirsevimab in Spain. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:99. [PMID: 38238680 PMCID: PMC10797756 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-08988-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly infectious disease that poses a significant clinical and medical burden, as well as social disruption and economic costs, recognized by the World Health Organization as a public health issue. After several failed attempts to find preventive candidates (compounds, products, including vaccines), new alternatives might be available, one being nirsevimab, the first and only option approved for RSV prevention in neonates and infants during their first RSV season. The objective of this study was to develop a novel multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework for RSV antibody-based preventive alternatives and to use it to assess the value of nirsevimab vs. placebo as a systematic immunization approach to prevent RSV in neonates and infants during their first RSV season in Spain. METHODS Based on a pre-established model called Vaccinex, an ad-hoc MCDA framework was created to reflect relevant attributes for the assessment of current and future antibody-based preventive measures for RSV. The estimated value of nirsevimab was obtained by means of an additive linear model combining weights and scores assigned by a multidisciplinary committee of 9 experts. A retest and three sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS Nirsevimab was evaluated through a novel framework with 26 criteria by the committee as a measure that adds value (positive final estimated value: 0.56 ± 0.11) to the current RSV scenario in Spain, by providing a high efficacy for prevention of neonates and infants. In addition, its implementation might generate cost savings in hospitalizations and to the healthcare system and increase the level of public health awareness among the general population, while reducing health inequities. CONCLUSIONS Under a methodology with increasing use in the health field, nirsevimab has been evaluated as a measure which adds value for RSV prevention in neonates and infants during their first RSV season in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agustín Rivero
- Department of Management, Bioregión de Salud y Bienestar (BioMad), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Orrico-Sánchez
- Department of Vaccines Research, Fundación Para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana (Fisabio), Valencia, Spain
- Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Hidalgo
- Weber Foundation, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Economic Analysis and Finances, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Fernando Abdalla
- Department of Health Affairs and Policy Research, Vivactis Weber, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Isabel Martín
- Department of Primary Care, Rochapea Healthcare Center, Navarra, Spain
| | - Javier Álvarez
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Costa del Sol, Málaga, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Néboa Zozaya
- Department of Health Affairs and Policy Research, Vivactis Weber, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Quantitative Methods in Economics and Management, University Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Raúl Ortiz-de-Lejarazu
- National Influenza Centre, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain
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Megiddo I, Blair S, Sabei D, Ruiz F, Morton AD. Evaluation framework study assessing the role, applicability and adherence to good practice of planning support tools for allocation of development aid for health in low-income and middle-income countries. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069590. [PMID: 37438065 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Allocation of development aid for health is controversial and challenging. In recent years, several planning-software tools have promised to help decision-makers align resource allocation with their objectives, more clearly connect prioritisation to evidence and local circumstances, and increase transparency and comparability. We aim to explore these tools to provide insight into their fitness for purpose and suggest future directions to fulfil that promise. DESIGN We identified seven tools that met the inclusion criteria and developed an evaluation framework to compare them along two dimensions for assessing fitness for purpose: ability to produce analyses adhering to principles laid out in the International Decisions Support Initiative (iDSI) Reference Case for health economic evaluations; and resources required, including expertise and time. We extracted information from documentation and tool use and sent this information to tool developers for confirmation. RESULTS We categorise the tools into evidence-generating ones, evidence-syntheses ones and process support ones. Tools' fitness for purpose varies by the context, technical capacity and time limitation. The tools adhere to several reference case principles but often not to all of them. The source and underlying assumptions of prepopulated data are often opaque. Comparing vertical interventions across diseases and health system strengthening ones remains challenging. CONCLUSIONS The plethora of tools that aid priority setting in different ways is encouraging. Developers and users should place further emphasis on their ability to produce analyses that adhere to prioritisation principles. Opportunities for further development include using evidence-generating tools and multicriteria decision analysis approaches complimentarily. However, maintaining tool simplicity should also be considered to allow wider access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itamar Megiddo
- Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Shona Blair
- Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Davood Sabei
- Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Francis Ruiz
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Center for Global Development, London, UK
| | - Alexander D Morton
- Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Decouttere C, De Boeck K, Vandaele N. Advancing sustainable development goals through immunization: a literature review. Global Health 2021; 17:95. [PMID: 34446050 PMCID: PMC8390056 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00745-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunization directly impacts health (SDG3) and brings a contribution to 14 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as ending poverty, reducing hunger, and reducing inequalities. Therefore, immunization is recognized to play a central role in reaching the SDGs, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite continuous interventions to strengthen immunization systems and to adequately respond to emergency immunization during epidemics, the immunization-related indicators for SDG3 lag behind in sub-Saharan Africa. Especially taking into account the current Covid19 pandemic, the current performance on the connected SDGs is both a cause and a result of this. METHODS We conduct a literature review through a keyword search strategy complemented with handpicking and snowballing from earlier reviews. After title and abstract screening, we conducted a qualitative analysis of key insights and categorized them according to showing the impact of immunization on SDGs, sustainability challenges, and model-based solutions to these challenges. RESULTS We reveal the leveraging mechanisms triggered by immunization and position them vis-à-vis the SDGs, within the framework of Public Health and Planetary Health. Several challenges for sustainable control of vaccine-preventable diseases are identified: access to immunization services, global vaccine availability to LMICs, context-dependent vaccine effectiveness, safe and affordable vaccines, local/regional vaccine production, public-private partnerships, and immunization capacity/capability building. Model-based approaches that support SDG-promoting interventions concerning immunization systems are analyzed in light of the strategic priorities of the Immunization Agenda 2030. CONCLUSIONS In general terms, it can be concluded that relevant future research requires (i) design for system resilience, (ii) transdisciplinary modeling, (iii) connecting interventions in immunization with SDG outcomes, (iv) designing interventions and their implementation simultaneously, (v) offering tailored solutions, and (vi) model coordination and integration of services and partnerships. The research and health community is called upon to join forces to activate existing knowledge, generate new insights and develop decision-supporting tools for Low-and Middle-Income Countries' health authorities and communities to leverage immunization in its transformational role toward successfully meeting the SDGs in 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Decouttere
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim De Boeck
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico Vandaele
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
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Botwright S, Giersing BK, Meltzer MI, Kahn AL, Jit M, Baltussen R, El Omeiri N, Biey JNM, Moore KL, Thokala P, Mwenda JM, Bertram M, Hutubessy RCW. The CAPACITI Decision-Support Tool for National Immunization Programs. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2021; 24:1150-1157. [PMID: 34372981 PMCID: PMC10563585 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2021.04.1273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Immunization programs in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) are faced with an ever-growing number of vaccines of public health importance recommended by the World Health Organization, while also financing a greater proportion of the program through domestic resources. More than ever, national immunization programs must be equipped to contextualize global guidance and make choices that are best suited to their setting. The CAPACITI decision-support tool has been developed in collaboration with national immunization program decision makers in LMICs to structure and document an evidence-based, context-specific process for prioritizing or selecting among multiple vaccination products, services, or strategies. METHODS The CAPACITI decision-support tool is based on multi-criteria decision analysis, as a structured way to incorporate multiple sources of evidence and stakeholder perspectives. The tool has been developed iteratively in consultation with 12 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. RESULTS The tool is flexible to existing country processes and can follow any type of multi-criteria decision analysis or a hybrid approach. It is structured into 5 sections: decision question, criteria for decision making, evidence assessment, appraisal, and recommendation. The Excel-based tool guides the user through the steps and document discussions in a transparent manner, with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement and country ownership. CONCLUSIONS Pilot countries valued the CAPACITI decision-support tool as a means to consider multiple criteria and stakeholder perspectives and to evaluate trade-offs and the impact of data quality. With use, it is expected that LMICs will tailor steps to their context and streamline the tool for decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mark Jit
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
| | - Rob Baltussen
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie El Omeiri
- Pan American Health Organization, WHO Regional Office for the Americas, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joseph N-M Biey
- Inter-Country Support Team, Regional Office for Africa, World Health Organization, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Praveen Thokala
- University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, England, UK
| | - Jason M Mwenda
- WHO Regional Office for Africa, Republic of Congo, Cite du D'Joue, Brazzaville, Congo
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