Dengue Vaccine Introduction into Thai Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
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Date
2011-01-25
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Journal of the Vector - Borne Diseases
Abstract
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a significant public health problem, especially among countries in South-east Asia. An effective dengue vaccine is expected to be made available in the market in a few years. This report was aimed to propose appropriate strategies for dengue vaccine introduction into Thai EPI. Reviewing available documents as well as personal communications with related persons were applied to determine the existing decision making process of new vaccine introduction into the program as well as experiences of immunization services of the program. The appropriate strategies were proposed according to analysis results of the reviews and communications. From the reviews and communications, it was found that Thai EPI was ready for new vaccine introduction, if required, and very successful in the program implementation. It had strong immunization policy and decision making processes for new vaccine introduction. For the appropriate immunization strategies, youngest age group who could generate protective immunity from dengue vaccination should be identified as a target group for a regular immunization program, while a catch-up program for other age group should be ordered as lower priority. An appropriate dengue immunization schedule should be made compatible with the existing schedule as much as possible. From the start, dengue vaccine may be used in a private sector, while the governmental sector should start the program with conducting an immunization pilot program and gradually expanded to cover the target groups nationwide. In addition, an adverse events following immunization surveillance system should be conducted to follow vaccines with long enough period of time, while disease surveillance should be included both clinical and laboratory aspects.
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Citation
Journal of the Vector - Borne Diseases; Vol. 6 No. 1 January - June 2009; 35-49