Mexico has long been a leader in the introduction of new vaccines. One of the first countries in their region to introduce Hib vaccine for infants, Mexico recently began efforts to extend their immunization program to include pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The initial introduction is a limited one but the intention is to progressively expand, and to begin by vaccinating the most vulnerable children in the country. 

 

Dr. Romeo S. Rodriguez Suarez, General Director of the National Center for the Health of the Infancy and Adolescence at the Mexican Ministry of Health, shared some of the outcome data with GAVI’s PneumoADIP.

 

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine campaign began in 9 states of Mexico. These states were identified as having the lowest human developmental index. Indeed, these states, which include predominantly indigenous populations, account for up to 80% of infant pneumonia deaths each year in Mexico. The effort began with the vaccination of 42,014 indigenous children under 2 years of age in 58 counties of the chosen 9 states. Vaccination levels were roughly 97.5% or higher in all targeted states. The second dose of PCV-7 was administered in May 2006 and the final dose will be administered in February 2007 during the First National Health Week.

 

The plan is to expand the campaign beginning in August to include over 220,000 children under 2 years of age in 14 states of Mexico, encompassing 20,600 communities. The eventual goal is to vaccinate all children under 2 years of age by the year 2008.  Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, as with the other 13 vaccines included in the National Immunization Card, are provided to children free of cost.

More evaluations from The Gambia pneumococcal vaccine trial. The overall incidence of invasive bacterial infections in rural Gambia was reported in a recent study and the clinical characteristics of children with pneumococcal infection were compared with those of children suffering from extraintestinal nontyphoidal salmonella infection (NTS) or other bacterial infections. Samples were obtained from children between 2 and 29 months of age with symptoms of invasive bacterial infections and who were participating in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine trial. The incidence of invasive bacterial infections in all subjects was 1009 cases per 100, 000 person-years and was 1108 among children who had not received the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Incidence decreased with increasing age but remained relatively high in 24 to 29 month children for pneumococcal infection. Enwere et al. Ped. Infect. Dis. August 2006; 25 (8): 700-705.

 

Hib vaccine introduction in Kenya. A study was conducted to define invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease incidence and Hib vaccine program effectiveness in Kenya. Culture-based surveillance for invasive Hib disease at Kilifi District Hospital was conducted from 2000 through 2005 and linked to demographic surveillance of 38, 000 children younger than 5 years of age in Kilifi District. HIV and Hib vaccination status were determined for children with Hib disease admitted 2002-2005. Prior to vaccine introduction case fatality was 23%. Among children younger than 5 years, the annual incidence of invasive Hib disease 1 year before and 1 and 3 years after vaccine introduction was 66, 47, 7.6 per 100, 000, respectively. For children younger than 2 years, incidence was 119, 82 and 16 per 100, 000, respectively. In 2004-2005, vaccine effectiveness was 88% among children younger than 5 years and 87% among children younger than 2 years. The study concludes that introduction of the Hib vaccine into the routine childhood immunization program in Kenya has reduced Hib disease incidence among children younger than 5 years to 12% of its baseline level. This impact was not observed until the third year after vaccine introduction. Cowgill et al. JAMA. August 2006; 296 (6): 671-8. 

 

The Hib Initiative reached out to media and policymakers about the potential health impact of hib vaccines. Visit www.hibaction.org or click here to link directly to the press release.

The Center for Global Development is seeking candidates for Senior Program Associate in Global Health. Deadline for applicants is September 22, 2006. For more information, visit www.cgdev.org or click here to link directly to the job posting.

 

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is seeking candidates for 2 positions: Senior Epidemiologist Senior Infectious Disease Specialist and Research Scientist: Vaccine Field Trials. For more information, please visit www.ivi.int

PATH Vaccine Solutions (PVS) is seeking proposals for projects to advance development of new pneumococcal vaccines for administration to infants in low-income countries. PVS is interested in proposals from vaccine manufacturers and academic, public health, and other research institutions for projects that will accelerate vaccine development to serve the countries in greatest need.  

 

PVS invites proposals under two distinct categories: (1) Vaccine discovery and development and (2) Research activities in support of vaccine development.

 

PVS’s ultimate goal is to advance development of a pneumococcal vaccine that will be safe, effective, and affordable for distribution by public health systems in developing countries.

 

The deadline for letters of inquiry is October 31, 2006.

 

For more information and submission guidelines, click here.