Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100778
Eva Wattrang , Helena Back , Louise Treiberg Berndtsson , Siamak Zohari , Janet Daly
Vaccination is an established and important tool in preventing the impact of influenza in the horse population but the frequency of booster vaccinations after the primary course of vaccinations to maintain protective antibody levels is still under debate. The aim of this field study was to monitor equine influenza antibody levels over the course of 13 months during which horses were given two booster vaccinations.
Fifty-six vaccinated Standardbred trotters in training were monitored with monthly blood samples. The horses were routinely vaccinated with a commercial equine influenza vaccine 6 months apart, V1 and V2. Antibodies to vaccine strain A/equine/Borlänge/91 (Bor/91) were quantified by ELISA in all samples and also measured by single radial haemolysis (SRH) in samples obtained before and after V1.
Mean titres against Bor/91 determined by ELISA were at the lowest level in the month prior to V1. All horses sampled immediately before and after V1 had an increase in titre except two ≥ 4-year-old horses. The antibody titres declined rapidly in the 3 months after V1. The boosting effect of V2 was lower compared to that of V1 and six horses with high pre-vaccination titres did not respond to V2, irrespective of age. Titres estimated by ELISA correlated well with antibody levels determined by SRH, which showed that while many of the horses would be unprotected before V1, antibody levels were boosted to protective levels after vaccination.
Antibody responses were higher in horses with low antibody levels at booster vaccination compared to those with already high antibody levels.
{"title":"Longitudinal survey of 6-monthly booster vaccination-induced antibody responses to equine influenza A virus (H3N8) in Standardbred trotting horses in training","authors":"Eva Wattrang , Helena Back , Louise Treiberg Berndtsson , Siamak Zohari , Janet Daly","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100778","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100778","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vaccination is an established and important tool in preventing the impact of influenza in the horse population but the frequency of booster vaccinations after the primary course of vaccinations to maintain protective antibody levels is still under debate. The aim of this field study was to monitor equine influenza antibody levels over the course of 13 months during which horses were given two booster vaccinations.</div><div>Fifty-six vaccinated Standardbred trotters in training were monitored with monthly blood samples. The horses were routinely vaccinated with a commercial equine influenza vaccine 6 months apart, V1 and V2. Antibodies to vaccine strain A/equine/Borlänge/91 (Bor/91) were quantified by ELISA in all samples and also measured by single radial haemolysis (SRH) in samples obtained before and after V1.</div><div>Mean titres against Bor/91 determined by ELISA were at the lowest level in the month prior to V1. All horses sampled immediately before and after V1 had an increase in titre except two ≥ 4-year-old horses. The antibody titres declined rapidly in the 3 months after V1. The boosting effect of V2 was lower compared to that of V1 and six horses with high pre-vaccination titres did not respond to V2, irrespective of age. Titres estimated by ELISA correlated well with antibody levels determined by SRH, which showed that while many of the horses would be unprotected before V1, antibody levels were boosted to protective levels after vaccination.</div><div>Antibody responses were higher in horses with low antibody levels at booster vaccination compared to those with already high antibody levels.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100778"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vaccine hesitancy (VH) among young adults limited seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) uptake in Hong Kong. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this issue remains unclear.
Methods
A repeated cross-sectional study was performed on 269 young adults aged 18 to 35 at a Hong Kong university during two seasons: pre-COVID-19 (September 30, 2019, to April 1, 2020, with 130 participants) and during-COVID-19 (March 29, 2021, to May 2, 2021, with 139 participants). We developed our questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and included peer influence. The best-fitting logistic regression model, selected using the chi-square test and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), was used to assess the association between selected factors and VH in both periods.
Results
From the pre- to during-COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of participants exhibiting vaccine hesitancy increased from 43.8 % to 62.6 %. Perceived vaccine side effects, vaccine efficacy, and peers' vaccination status became significant with odds ratios of 3.941 (95 % Confidence Interval (CI) [1.27, 14.36]), 0.1344 (95 % CI [0.02, 0.56]), and 0.1147 (95 % CI [0.02, 0.52]), respectively.
Conclusions
A comprehensive approach that includes effective communication about vaccine safety and efficacy is crucial. Additionally, the vaccination status of peers may play an important role in vaccine promotion among young adults in Hong Kong.
{"title":"Comparison of seasonal influenza vaccine hesitancy among young adults at a Hong Kong university before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic: A repeated cross-sectional study","authors":"Hongsen Liang , Fatema Khairunnasa , Hsiang-Yu Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2025.100774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2025.100774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Vaccine hesitancy (VH) among young adults limited seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) uptake in Hong Kong. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this issue remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A repeated cross-sectional study was performed on 269 young adults aged 18 to 35 at a Hong Kong university during two seasons: pre-COVID-19 (September 30, 2019, to April 1, 2020, with 130 participants) and during-COVID-19 (March 29, 2021, to May 2, 2021, with 139 participants). We developed our questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and included peer influence. The best-fitting logistic regression model, selected using the chi-square test and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), was used to assess the association between selected factors and VH in both periods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>From the pre- to during-COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of participants exhibiting vaccine hesitancy increased from 43.8 % to 62.6 %. Perceived vaccine side effects, vaccine efficacy, and peers' vaccination status became significant with odds ratios of 3.941 (95 % Confidence Interval (CI) [1.27, 14.36]), 0.1344 (95 % CI [0.02, 0.56]), and 0.1147 (95 % CI [0.02, 0.52]), respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>A comprehensive approach that includes effective communication about vaccine safety and efficacy is crucial. Additionally, the vaccination status of peers may play an important role in vaccine promotion among young adults in Hong Kong.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100774"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100786
Leticia E.B. Vieira , Grace T. Marley , Tessa J. Hastings , Salisa C. Westrick , Ashley H. Chinchilla , Tyler C. Melton , Delesha M. Carpenter
Background
Inadequate pneumococcal vaccine uptake in rural U.S. communities remains a significant barrier to effective pneumococcal disease prevention. Community pharmacists are well-positioned to expand vaccine coverage by offering and administering pneumococcal vaccines, but face unique challenges in rural pharmacy settings.
Objective
To explore pharmacist-reported barriers and facilitators to pneumococcal vaccination in rural community pharmacies.
Methods
Qualitative interviews were conducted with twenty rural pharmacists from a practice-based research network (a collaborative group of community pharmacies engaged in applied research to improve pharmacy practice) across seven U.S. states. Pharmacists were purposefully sampled based on their state and the number of pneumococcal vaccines administered at their pharmacy in the previous year. Interviews assessed factors influencing pneumococcal vaccination across levels of the Social Ecological Framework. Interviews continued until thematic saturation was reached, and iterative thematic analysis of de-identified interview transcripts was conducted until no new themes emerged.
Results
Barriers and facilitators to pneumococcal vaccination were identified across all socioecological levels. At the individual level, themes included pharmacists' attitudes, training, and rapport with patients, as well as patients' attitudes, knowledge, and out-of-pocket costs. At the organizational level, themes were related to the pharmacy workflow, staff, time constraints, immunization area, and vaccine stocking costs. Community-level themes involved local physicians, social influences, and factors specific to rural areas. Policy-level themes encompassed vaccination guidelines, states' immunization registries, reimbursement, and immunization regulations.
Conclusion
Pneumococcal vaccination in rural community pharmacies is influenced by multilevel factors, including individual, organizational, community, and policy factors. Effective interventions will require training initiatives for pharmacists, resources to improve patients' vaccine knowledge and attitudes, organizational strategies to streamline immunization workflow, and policy changes to advance pharmacy-based immunization services that account for rural community needs.
{"title":"Barriers and facilitators to pneumococcal vaccination in rural community pharmacy: A qualitative study","authors":"Leticia E.B. Vieira , Grace T. Marley , Tessa J. Hastings , Salisa C. Westrick , Ashley H. Chinchilla , Tyler C. Melton , Delesha M. Carpenter","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100786","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100786","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Inadequate pneumococcal vaccine uptake in rural U.S. communities remains a significant barrier to effective pneumococcal disease prevention. Community pharmacists are well-positioned to expand vaccine coverage by offering and administering pneumococcal vaccines, but face unique challenges in rural pharmacy settings.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To explore pharmacist-reported barriers and facilitators to pneumococcal vaccination in rural community pharmacies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Qualitative interviews were conducted with twenty rural pharmacists from a practice-based research network (a collaborative group of community pharmacies engaged in applied research to improve pharmacy practice) across seven U.S. states. Pharmacists were purposefully sampled based on their state and the number of pneumococcal vaccines administered at their pharmacy in the previous year. Interviews assessed factors influencing pneumococcal vaccination across levels of the Social Ecological Framework. Interviews continued until thematic saturation was reached, and iterative thematic analysis of de-identified interview transcripts was conducted until no new themes emerged.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Barriers and facilitators to pneumococcal vaccination were identified across all socioecological levels. At the individual level, themes included pharmacists' attitudes, training, and rapport with patients, as well as patients' attitudes, knowledge, and out-of-pocket costs. At the organizational level, themes were related to the pharmacy workflow, staff, time constraints, immunization area, and vaccine stocking costs. Community-level themes involved local physicians, social influences, and factors specific to rural areas. Policy-level themes encompassed vaccination guidelines, states' immunization registries, reimbursement, and immunization regulations.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Pneumococcal vaccination in rural community pharmacies is influenced by multilevel factors, including individual, organizational, community, and policy factors. Effective interventions will require training initiatives for pharmacists, resources to improve patients' vaccine knowledge and attitudes, organizational strategies to streamline immunization workflow, and policy changes to advance pharmacy-based immunization services that account for rural community needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100786"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100790
Maria Unwin , Alison Venn , Cassandra Vujovich-Dunn , Nicola Stephens , Kerry Nettle , Mark Veitch , Rebecca Guy , Cristyn Davies
Introduction
Despite having well-established relationships and processes for the school-based immunisation program (SBIP), Tasmania has sub-optimal HPV vaccine completion. The HPV Vaccination Partnership Project aimed to understand facilitators and barriers to students' initiation and completion of vaccination in Tasmanian schools.
Methods
In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with school personnel, council (local government) immunisation providers and parents of HPV vaccine-eligible adolescents (2021−2023). We chose a sample of Tasmanian secondary schools across sectors, regions, and demographic variables with varying coverage levels. Council staff providing the SBIP, key school personnel involved in program delivery, and parents of adolescents with incomplete HPV vaccination status were invited to participate. Interviews explored roles and relationships across health and education sectors, parents, and adolescents; HPV vaccination information, communication, and processes; the school vaccination environment; and parents' perspectives on HPV vaccination for their adolescents. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and reported using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting qualitative research. Knowledge mobilisation principles were adopted to support research translation and dissemination.
Results
We recruited 18 council personnel, 15 school personnel, and 14 parents. HPV vaccination program facilitators included collaborative partnerships with clear roles between health and education sectors, proactive leadership, well-established practices and processes, a supportive vaccination environment, and clear communication and information sharing between stakeholders. Barriers included consent form return processes and complex information for parents, poor communication among stakeholders, unfamiliarity with SBIP roles and processes, and unwelcoming vaccination environments. Parents with poor experiences of school-based vaccination as adolescents, and adolescents with poor experiences of healthcare more broadly, generated unfavourable attitudes towards HPV vaccination.
Conclusion
Findings highlight the importance of clear strategies to promote strong relationships, define roles, ensure access to easily understood vaccine information, and to streamline consent form processes. The Tasmanian Department of Health is using study findings to inform SBIPs.
{"title":"Optimising HPV vaccination delivery in Tasmanian schools (Australia): Lessons from parents and providers","authors":"Maria Unwin , Alison Venn , Cassandra Vujovich-Dunn , Nicola Stephens , Kerry Nettle , Mark Veitch , Rebecca Guy , Cristyn Davies","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100790","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100790","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Despite having well-established relationships and processes for the school-based immunisation program (SBIP), Tasmania has sub-optimal HPV vaccine completion. The HPV Vaccination Partnership Project aimed to understand facilitators and barriers to students' initiation and completion of vaccination in Tasmanian schools.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with school personnel, council (local government) immunisation providers and parents of HPV vaccine-eligible adolescents (2021−2023). We chose a sample of Tasmanian secondary schools across sectors, regions, and demographic variables with varying coverage levels. Council staff providing the SBIP, key school personnel involved in program delivery, and parents of adolescents with incomplete HPV vaccination status were invited to participate. Interviews explored roles and relationships across health and education sectors, parents, and adolescents; HPV vaccination information, communication, and processes; the school vaccination environment; and parents' perspectives on HPV vaccination for their adolescents. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and reported using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting qualitative research. Knowledge mobilisation principles were adopted to support research translation and dissemination.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We recruited 18 council personnel, 15 school personnel, and 14 parents. HPV vaccination program facilitators included collaborative partnerships with clear roles between health and education sectors, proactive leadership, well-established practices and processes, a supportive vaccination environment, and clear communication and information sharing between stakeholders. Barriers included consent form return processes and complex information for parents, poor communication among stakeholders, unfamiliarity with SBIP roles and processes, and unwelcoming vaccination environments. Parents with poor experiences of school-based vaccination as adolescents, and adolescents with poor experiences of healthcare more broadly, generated unfavourable attitudes towards HPV vaccination.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Findings highlight the importance of clear strategies to promote strong relationships, define roles, ensure access to easily understood vaccine information, and to streamline consent form processes. The Tasmanian Department of Health is using study findings to inform SBIPs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100790"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100789
Cátia Mota , An Ta , Elizabeth Vinand , Rita Teixeira , Aleksandar Ilic , Sophie Warren
Background
Since the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for paediatric use in Portugal, pneumococcal disease incidence among children has declined. With the availability of 20-valent PCV (PCV20) and 15-valent PCV (PCV15) and the Portuguese Board of Health's decision to implement PCV20 2 + 1 into the National Immunisation Programme (NIP), the cost-effectiveness of PCV20 under 2 + 1 and 3 + 1 schedules was assessed versus PCV13 2 + 1 and PCV15 2 + 1 in Portugal.
Methods
Using a Portuguese National Health Service (NHS) perspective, a Markov model with annual cycles estimated health and cost impacts of PCV20 versus PCV13 and PCV15 over 10 years, with both cost and benefits discounted at 4%. Direct effects were based on PCV13 effectiveness and 7-valent PCV efficacy studies; indirect effects were sourced from PCV13 impact studies. Epidemiologic, utility, and cost inputs were from Portuguese data, where available. Sensitivity and scenario analyses tested result robustness.
Results
The base case showed that PCV20 2 + 1 was dominant versus both PCV13 and PCV15. PCV20 2 + 1 was estimated to avert 1884 invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases, 54,768 hospitalised pneumonia cases, 222,497 otitis media (OM) cases, and 8737 deaths versus PCV13 2 + 1, resulting in a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gain of 109,092 and cost-saving of €237,294,966. PCV20 2 + 1 averted 1653 IPD cases, 42,182 hospitalised pneumonia cases, 202,735 OM cases, and 6594 deaths versus PCV15 2 + 1, resulting in a QALY gain of 83,799 and cost-saving of €199,695,659. Pairwise comparisons of PCV20 3 + 1 versus PCV13 2 + 1 and PCV15 2 + 1, including sensitivity and scenario analyses, consistently showed cost-saving results, aligning with findings from PCV20 2 + 1 analysis.
Conclusions
PCV20 (both 2 + 1 and 3 + 1) was estimated to be cost saving and more effective versus PCV13 and PCV15. Switching from PCV13 to PCV20 in the Portuguese paediatric NIP could yield considerable clinical and economic benefits from NHS perspective.
{"title":"Cost-effectiveness analysis of 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the Portuguese paediatric national immunisation programme","authors":"Cátia Mota , An Ta , Elizabeth Vinand , Rita Teixeira , Aleksandar Ilic , Sophie Warren","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Since the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for paediatric use in Portugal, pneumococcal disease incidence among children has declined. With the availability of 20-valent PCV (PCV20) and 15-valent PCV (PCV15) and the Portuguese Board of Health's decision to implement PCV20 2 + 1 into the National Immunisation Programme (NIP), the cost-effectiveness of PCV20 under 2 + 1 and 3 + 1 schedules was assessed versus PCV13 2 + 1 and PCV15 2 + 1 in Portugal.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using a Portuguese National Health Service (NHS) perspective, a Markov model with annual cycles estimated health and cost impacts of PCV20 versus PCV13 and PCV15 over 10 years, with both cost and benefits discounted at 4%. Direct effects were based on PCV13 effectiveness and 7-valent PCV efficacy studies; indirect effects were sourced from PCV13 impact studies. Epidemiologic, utility, and cost inputs were from Portuguese data, where available. Sensitivity and scenario analyses tested result robustness.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The base case showed that PCV20 2 + 1 was dominant versus both PCV13 and PCV15. PCV20 2 + 1 was estimated to avert 1884 invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases, 54,768 hospitalised pneumonia cases, 222,497 otitis media (OM) cases, and 8737 deaths versus PCV13 2 + 1, resulting in a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gain of 109,092 and cost-saving of €237,294,966. PCV20 2 + 1 averted 1653 IPD cases, 42,182 hospitalised pneumonia cases, 202,735 OM cases, and 6594 deaths versus PCV15 2 + 1, resulting in a QALY gain of 83,799 and cost-saving of €199,695,659. Pairwise comparisons of PCV20 3 + 1 versus PCV13 2 + 1 and PCV15 2 + 1, including sensitivity and scenario analyses, consistently showed cost-saving results, aligning with findings from PCV20 2 + 1 analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>PCV20 (both 2 + 1 and 3 + 1) was estimated to be cost saving and more effective versus PCV13 and PCV15. Switching from PCV13 to PCV20 in the Portuguese paediatric NIP could yield considerable clinical and economic benefits from NHS perspective.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100789"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100801
Ismail Ndalami Salihu , Shafik Sekitto , Benjamin Mari Aya , Ahmed Rufai Garba , Sulaiman Etamesor , Binta Aduke Ismail , Adaugo Nneoma Chidubem , Mohammed Yahaya , Donald S. Shepard
Introduction
In 2023, Nigeria incorporated the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its Expanded Program on Immunization to reduce the burden of HPV-related cervical cancer. This study estimated the financial costs and explored implementation experiences of HPV vaccine introduction in Nigeria, focusing on Bayelsa (southern) and Taraba (northern) states – two geographically challenging areas.
Methods
A mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative costing captured vaccine and operational expenditures using program documents, including the approved vaccine introduction grant and activity reports, reflecting actual 2023 costs. Costing was conducted from the provider perspective, with all costs reported in 2023 US dollars. Key informant interviews provided additional insights to contextualize quantitative findings.
Results
Both states achieved high coverage (Bayelsa, 74%; Taraba, 78%), approaching the ambitious 80% national target. The total financial cost per fully vaccinated girl was similar – $5.76 (Bayelsa) and $5.75 (Taraba). Vaccine accounted for $4.73 (≈82%) per girl, while operational costs were $1.04 and $1.02 in the respective states. Operational costs were mainly driven by transportation, logistics and data tool costs (Bayelsa: 40.74%; Taraba: 42.20%). Service delivery (Bayelsa, 22.2%; Taraba, 22.4%), and advocacy, communication, and social mobilization (ACSM) costs (Bayelsa, 16.42%; Taraba, 16.70%) were also notable cost drivers. Qualitative insights from key stakeholders highlighted strong leadership, coordination, ACSM and partners collaboration, as critical in achieving high coverage, while need for context-specific resource allocation was evident due to difficult terrains.
Conclusion
HPV vaccine introduction in Bayelsa and Taraba demonstrated that an initial intensive campaign strategy, supported by strong community engagement via ACSM and partners collaboration, can rapidly achieve high coverage in hard-to-reach terrains. Vaccine procurement remains the largest cost, highlighting the need for sustainable financing. Terrain-related differences emphasize the need for context-specific resource allocation. This experience provides a practical model for other low– and middle–income countries planning nationwide HPV vaccine scale-up and health-system strengthening.
{"title":"Cost of introducing human papillomavirus vaccination into Nigeria's expanded program on immunization: Lessons from two Nigerian states","authors":"Ismail Ndalami Salihu , Shafik Sekitto , Benjamin Mari Aya , Ahmed Rufai Garba , Sulaiman Etamesor , Binta Aduke Ismail , Adaugo Nneoma Chidubem , Mohammed Yahaya , Donald S. Shepard","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100801","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100801","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>In 2023, Nigeria incorporated the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its Expanded Program on Immunization to reduce the burden of HPV-related cervical cancer. This study estimated the financial costs and explored implementation experiences of HPV vaccine introduction in Nigeria, focusing on Bayelsa (southern) and Taraba (northern) states – two geographically challenging areas.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative costing captured vaccine and operational expenditures using program documents, including the approved vaccine introduction grant and activity reports, reflecting actual 2023 costs. Costing was conducted from the provider perspective, with all costs reported in 2023 US dollars. Key informant interviews provided additional insights to contextualize quantitative findings.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both states achieved high coverage (Bayelsa, 74%; Taraba, 78%), approaching the ambitious 80% national target. The total financial cost per fully vaccinated girl was similar – $5.76 (Bayelsa) and $5.75 (Taraba). Vaccine accounted for $4.73 (≈82%) per girl, while operational costs were $1.04 and $1.02 in the respective states. Operational costs were mainly driven by transportation, logistics and data tool costs (Bayelsa: 40.74%; Taraba: 42.20%). Service delivery (Bayelsa, 22.2%; Taraba, 22.4%), and advocacy, communication, and social mobilization (ACSM) costs (Bayelsa, 16.42%; Taraba, 16.70%) were also notable cost drivers. Qualitative insights from key stakeholders highlighted strong leadership, coordination, ACSM and partners collaboration, as critical in achieving high coverage, while need for context-specific resource allocation was evident due to difficult terrains.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>HPV vaccine introduction in Bayelsa and Taraba demonstrated that an initial intensive campaign strategy, supported by strong community engagement via ACSM and partners collaboration, can rapidly achieve high coverage in hard-to-reach terrains. Vaccine procurement remains the largest cost, highlighting the need for sustainable financing. Terrain-related differences emphasize the need for context-specific resource allocation. This experience provides a practical model for other low– and middle–income countries planning nationwide HPV vaccine scale-up and health-system strengthening.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100801"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-20DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100798
Eric Pittman , Sai Veeramachaneni , Brady Suttles , Dylan Barker , Manjot Nagra , M. Allison Ford , Minsoo Kang , Hannah Allen , Marie Barnard
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Although an effective vaccine for preventing HPV-associated dis-eases has been available for nearly two decades in the United States, uptake among adolescents has lagged behind expectations. This gap in adolescent protection places those entering college at increased risk for developing complications from HPV infection. With catch-up vaccination being recommended for everyone not fully vaccinated through age 26, college students represent an ideal population to target for catch-up vaccination. Despite comprising a significant segment of the undergraduate population in the United States, community college students have been largely overlooked in HPV-related research, which has primarily focused on students attending four-year institutions. This review describes the current literature on HPV-related constructs of knowledge, awareness, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors among community college students in the United States. An initial search identified 3783 articles for review with 14 articles meeting inclusion criteria. A majority of the studies included were cross-sectional surveys comprised of undergraduates attending various types of institutions. Among those fourteen studies, disaggregated outcome data for community college students was identifiable in 57% of the studies. Only five studies focused on community college students. While all included studies examined HPV vaccination behaviors, significant gaps were noted around HPV knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and beliefs. Further, few studies compared HPV-related data from community college students to other types of college students. Need exists to further understand HPV-related information among community college students to increase catch-up vaccinations among this vulnerable population.
{"title":"Human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge, awareness, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors among community college students: A scoping review","authors":"Eric Pittman , Sai Veeramachaneni , Brady Suttles , Dylan Barker , Manjot Nagra , M. Allison Ford , Minsoo Kang , Hannah Allen , Marie Barnard","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100798","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Although an effective vaccine for preventing HPV-associated dis-eases has been available for nearly two decades in the United States, uptake among adolescents has lagged behind expectations. This gap in adolescent protection places those entering college at increased risk for developing complications from HPV infection. With catch-up vaccination being recommended for everyone not fully vaccinated through age 26, college students represent an ideal population to target for catch-up vaccination. Despite comprising a significant segment of the undergraduate population in the United States, community college students have been largely overlooked in HPV-related research, which has primarily focused on students attending four-year institutions. This review describes the current literature on HPV-related constructs of knowledge, awareness, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors among community college students in the United States. An initial search identified 3783 articles for review with 14 articles meeting inclusion criteria. A majority of the studies included were cross-sectional surveys comprised of undergraduates attending various types of institutions. Among those fourteen studies, disaggregated outcome data for community college students was identifiable in 57% of the studies. Only five studies focused on community college students. While all included studies examined HPV vaccination behaviors, significant gaps were noted around HPV knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and beliefs. Further, few studies compared HPV-related data from community college students to other types of college students. Need exists to further understand HPV-related information among community college students to increase catch-up vaccinations among this vulnerable population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100798"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100787
Caryn Fenner , António Lima Grilo , Ike James , Claudia Nannei , Martin Friede , Charles Gore , Marie Paule Kieny , Petro Terblanche
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines were less accessible in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries during the pandemic. As a result, vaccine distribution initiatives such as COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access and the African Union's African Vaccine Acquisition Trust were established to guarantee equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in LMICs. Yet these initiatives alone did not suffice to reverse the inequity.
As a response, the World Health Organization and the Medicines Patent Pool launched the messenger RNA (mRNA) Technology Transfer Programme in June 2021 to support sustainable mRNA vaccine production in LMICs. Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines (Afrigen) in Cape Town, South Africa became the heart of a global collaborative network embarking on a challenging yet innovative journey to develop its first mRNA vaccine, AfriVac 2121, amidst a global pandemic. The World Health Organization also selected 15 manufacturing partners from LMICs in Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia to join the program and receive the mRNA vaccine manufacturing platform.
In this article, we outline the establishment of the programme, its technology transfer strategy, and the progress made in equipping partners with the capacity to implement mRNA technology. We describe the development of the manufacturing platform and pre-clinical validation, and we reflect on the key successes and challenges encountered along the way.
Despite the obstacles, the program has laid the groundwork for a globally distributed, locally driven mRNA vaccine manufacturing ecosystem, and fully equipped the main hub at Afrigen for mRNA vaccine development and manufacturing. Our work underscores the imperative need for sustained investment in technology access, global collaboration, local expertise and infrastructure to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines.
{"title":"The journey towards mRNA vaccine technology transfer: From knowledge to implementation","authors":"Caryn Fenner , António Lima Grilo , Ike James , Claudia Nannei , Martin Friede , Charles Gore , Marie Paule Kieny , Petro Terblanche","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100787","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100787","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines were less accessible in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries during the pandemic. As a result, vaccine distribution initiatives such as COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access and the African Union's African Vaccine Acquisition Trust were established to guarantee equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in LMICs. Yet these initiatives alone did not suffice to reverse the inequity.</div><div>As a response, the World Health Organization and the Medicines Patent Pool launched the messenger RNA (mRNA) Technology Transfer Programme in June 2021 to support sustainable mRNA vaccine production in LMICs. Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines (Afrigen) in Cape Town, South Africa became the heart of a global collaborative network embarking on a challenging yet innovative journey to develop its first mRNA vaccine, AfriVac 2121, amidst a global pandemic. The World Health Organization also selected 15 manufacturing partners from LMICs in Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia to join the program and receive the mRNA vaccine manufacturing platform.</div><div>In this article, we outline the establishment of the programme, its technology transfer strategy, and the progress made in equipping partners with the capacity to implement mRNA technology. We describe the development of the manufacturing platform and pre-clinical validation, and we reflect on the key successes and challenges encountered along the way.</div><div>Despite the obstacles, the program has laid the groundwork for a globally distributed, locally driven mRNA vaccine manufacturing ecosystem, and fully equipped the main hub at Afrigen for mRNA vaccine development and manufacturing. Our work underscores the imperative need for sustained investment in technology access, global collaboration, local expertise and infrastructure to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100787"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-25DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100791
Kofi Asomaning , Mei Sheng Duh , Maral DerSarkissian , Cynthia de Luise , Catherine Nguyen , Mu Cheng , Angela Lax , Tracy Guo , Marianne Cunnington , Pierre Cremieux , Yinong Young-Xu , Caroline Korves , Jurandir Dalle Lucca
Background
This non-interventional, active safety surveillance study conducted signal detection/evaluation analyses for the primary series, monovalent booster doses, and Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine among Veterans Health Administration (VHA) enrollees.
Methods
Repeated longitudinal, cohort study analyses using data from the VHA Corporate Data Warehouse were conducted. Among individuals who received ≥1 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination between 12/11/2020–06/30/2023, an active comparator design was used to monitor the occurrence of 48 safety events of interest in this population compared to individuals with seasonal influenza vaccines during the 2014/2015–2018/2019 influenza seasons. In addition, a self-controlled risk interval design was used to compare the occurrence of safety events of interest during post-vaccination risk versus control intervals among individuals experiencing the safety event of interest.
Results
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine sample comprised 1,652,514 individuals, the majority of whom were male (89.8%) with an average age of 64.0 years (median = 67.4); it included 59.7% White non-Hispanic and 22.0% Black individuals. The seasonal influenza vaccine sample included 4,104,220 individuals, and baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were generally similar between the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccine samples (standardized differences <10%). After signal detection analyses, further investigation was warranted for cerebrovascular non hemorrhagic stroke, other acute demyelinating disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, anaphylaxis, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, myocarditis, stress cardiomyopathy, microangiopathy, chilblain-like lesions, hemorrhagic disease, pulmonary embolism, optic neuritis, heart failure and cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis, and severe COVID-19 disease. However, no safety events remained after signal evaluation analysis (including for myocarditis/pericarditis), regardless of the vaccine dose.
Conclusions
There was no increased risk of any of the 48 safety events of interest evaluated following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination in the VHA population.
{"title":"Post-emergency use authorization active safety surveillance study of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in the Veterans Affairs health system: Findings from a three-year, comprehensive safety assessment program","authors":"Kofi Asomaning , Mei Sheng Duh , Maral DerSarkissian , Cynthia de Luise , Catherine Nguyen , Mu Cheng , Angela Lax , Tracy Guo , Marianne Cunnington , Pierre Cremieux , Yinong Young-Xu , Caroline Korves , Jurandir Dalle Lucca","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100791","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This non-interventional, active safety surveillance study conducted signal detection/evaluation analyses for the primary series, monovalent booster doses, and Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine among Veterans Health Administration (VHA) enrollees.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Repeated longitudinal, cohort study analyses using data from the VHA Corporate Data Warehouse were conducted. Among individuals who received ≥1 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination between 12/11/2020–06/30/2023, an active comparator design was used to monitor the occurrence of 48 safety events of interest in this population compared to individuals with seasonal influenza vaccines during the 2014/2015–2018/2019 influenza seasons. In addition, a self-controlled risk interval design was used to compare the occurrence of safety events of interest during post-vaccination risk versus control intervals among individuals experiencing the safety event of interest.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine sample comprised 1,652,514 individuals, the majority of whom were male (89.8%) with an average age of 64.0 years (median = 67.4); it included 59.7% White non-Hispanic and 22.0% Black individuals. The seasonal influenza vaccine sample included 4,104,220 individuals, and baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were generally similar between the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccine samples (standardized differences <10%). After signal detection analyses, further investigation was warranted for cerebrovascular non hemorrhagic stroke, other acute demyelinating disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, anaphylaxis, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, myocarditis, stress cardiomyopathy, microangiopathy, chilblain-like lesions, hemorrhagic disease, pulmonary embolism, optic neuritis, heart failure and cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis, and severe COVID-19 disease. However, no safety events remained after signal evaluation analysis (including for myocarditis/pericarditis), regardless of the vaccine dose.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>There was no increased risk of any of the 48 safety events of interest evaluated following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination in the VHA population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100791"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079247","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100795
Line Møller Nanque , Mario Careme , Queba Djana , Julie Odgaard Vedel , Peter Aaby , Ane Bærent Fisker
Background
As part of the global polio eradication strategy, oral polio vaccine (OPV) will be replaced by the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Despite protection against polio, studies suggest that IPV may negatively affect child health, particularly for females.
Methods
In 2016, IPV was introduced to be co-administered with the third OPV (OPV3), and third pentavalent (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-haemophilus influenzae type B-hepatitis B) vaccine (penta3) at age 3.5 months. In a natural experiment arising from IPV introduction, shortage, and subsequent re-introduction, we compare the risk of outpatient non-accidental consultation, hospital admission and mortality after vaccination with penta3 + OPV3 + IPV versus penta3 + OPV3 in urban Guinea-Bissau. Children aged 3–8 months were followed from vaccination to first event. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in Cox-proportional hazards models, overall and by sex.
Results
Among 5917 children vaccinated from August 2015–July 2019 (penta3 + OPV3 + IPV: 2083; penta3 + OPV3: 3834), we observed 2789 first consultations during 1371 person-years (PYRS), 92 hospital admissions during 1960 PYRS and 17 deaths during 1976 PYRS. Penta3 + OPV3 + IPV was not associated with increased risk of consultation overall (aHR 0.97, 95%CI 0.89–1.06) or among females (aHR 0.89, 95%CI 0.79–1.00). Nor did the risk of admission increase overall (aHR 0.88, 95%CI 0.56–1.37) or among females (aHR 0.69, 95%CI 0.35–1.35). Overall mortality tended to be lower among children receiving IPV (aHR 0.47, 95%CI 0.15–1.48). Yet, regardless of IPV, female mortality was higher than male mortality, the sex-difference being accentuated after IPV introduction (p = 0.003).
Conclusions
The risks of consultation, hospital admission and mortality were not increased after penta3 + OPV3 + IPV.
{"title":"IPV introduction in the routine vaccination programme in 2016 and subsequent shortage: a natural experiment in Guinea-Bissau","authors":"Line Møller Nanque , Mario Careme , Queba Djana , Julie Odgaard Vedel , Peter Aaby , Ane Bærent Fisker","doi":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100795","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100795","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>As part of the global polio eradication strategy, oral polio vaccine (OPV) will be replaced by the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Despite protection against polio, studies suggest that IPV may negatively affect child health, particularly for females.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In 2016, IPV was introduced to be co-administered with the third OPV (OPV3), and third pentavalent (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-haemophilus influenzae type B-hepatitis B) vaccine (penta3) at age 3.5 months. In a natural experiment arising from IPV introduction, shortage, and subsequent re-introduction, we compare the risk of outpatient non-accidental consultation, hospital admission and mortality after vaccination with penta3 + OPV3 + IPV versus penta3 + OPV3 in urban Guinea-Bissau. Children aged 3–8 months were followed from vaccination to first event. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in Cox-proportional hazards models, overall and by sex.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 5917 children vaccinated from August 2015–July 2019 (penta3 + OPV3 + IPV: 2083; penta3 + OPV3: 3834), we observed 2789 first consultations during 1371 person-years (PYRS), 92 hospital admissions during 1960 PYRS and 17 deaths during 1976 PYRS. Penta3 + OPV3 + IPV was not associated with increased risk of consultation overall (aHR 0.97, 95%CI 0.89–1.06) or among females (aHR 0.89, 95%CI 0.79–1.00). Nor did the risk of admission increase overall (aHR 0.88, 95%CI 0.56–1.37) or among females (aHR 0.69, 95%CI 0.35–1.35). Overall mortality tended to be lower among children receiving IPV (aHR 0.47, 95%CI 0.15–1.48). Yet, regardless of IPV, female mortality was higher than male mortality, the sex-difference being accentuated after IPV introduction (<em>p</em> = 0.003).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The risks of consultation, hospital admission and mortality were not increased after penta3 + OPV3 + IPV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":43021,"journal":{"name":"Vaccine: X","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100795"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}