BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on healthcare systems and services, including routine immunization (RI). To date, there is limited information on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on RI in West African countries such as Sierra Leone, which had already experienced public health emergencies that disrupted its healthcare system. Here, we describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the RI of key antigens in Sierra Leone.
METHODS: We used vaccination data from the District Health Information System for BCG, measles-rubella 1 and 2, and pentavalent 1 and 3 antigens. We compared 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 annual coverage rates for the selected antigens at the national and district levels. We used the Pearson chi-square test to assess the difference between annual coverage rates between 2019 and 2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022.
RESULTS: National coverage rates for all antigens declined in 2019-2020, notably measles-rubella 1 and pentavalent 3 (-5.4% and - 4.9%). Between 2020 and 2021, there was an overall increase in coverage (+ 0.2% to + 2.5%), except for measles-rubella 2 (-1.8%). Measles-rubella antigens rebounded in 2021-2022, while others decreased between - 0.5 and - 1.9% in coverage. Overall, all district-level coverage rates in 2022 were lower than those in 2019. Most districts decreased between 2019 and 2022, though a few had a continuous increase; some had an increase/recovery between 2020 and 2021; some districts had recovered 2019 levels by 2022.
CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Sierra Leone\'s national BCG, measles-rubella, and pentavalent antigen immunization, which were not fully restored in 2022. Most districts experienced notable coverage declines during the pandemic, though a few reached or surpassed 2019 rates in 2022. Examining pandemic impact can benefit from a focus beyond the national level to identify vulnerable regions. Sierra Leone\'s post-pandemic RI reestablishment needs targeted strategies and continual investments for equitable access and coverage, as well as to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.

BACKGROUND: The French cancer control strategy 2021-2030 aims to achieve 80 % human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage. Since 2021, HPV vaccination is also recommended for boys aged 11-14 years, with a catch-up vaccination recommended for unvaccinated adolescents aged ≤19 years. The PAPILLON study used claims data to monitor the evolution of HPV Vaccination Coverage Rate (VCR) in the French population.
METHODS: The annual HPV VCR was described from 2017 to 2022. Partial vaccination was defined as the dispensing of at least one dose of HPV vaccination. Full scheme vaccination was defined according to the current French recommendations as two or three doses of HPV vaccine over an 18-month period. Annual HPV vaccine initiation rates were estimated on 11-14 and 15-19-year-olds adolescents. Cumulative VCR were estimated on adolescents aged between 11 and 19 years at the time of first vaccination.
RESULTS: Overall, 1,773,900 females and 592,167 males initiated HPV vaccination between 2017 and 2022. Initiations occurred between 11 and 14 years for 67.3 % of females and 62.4 % of males with a median time between the first two doses of 195 days and 190 days, respectively. In girls, the cumulative vaccination rate for the partial scheme vaccination at 15 y.o. increased from 28.1 % in 2017 to 50.9 % in 2022. Similarly, the cumulative vaccination rate for the full scheme vaccination at 16 y.o. increased from 15.5 % in 2017 to 33.8 % in 2022. In 2022, the initiation rates for males were 12.6 % at age 14 and 1.9 % at age 19.
CONCLUSIONS: HPV vaccination coverage increased between 2017 and 2022 among girls targeted by the recommendation but remains insufficient. The results of this study show a tentative but promising start to vaccination in boys. This study will monitor the effects of actions taken to improve vaccination, including the extension of vaccination competencies to community pharmacists since end of 2022.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza epidemics have a substantial public health and economic burden, which can be alleviated through vaccination. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 75% vaccination coverage rate (VCR) in: older adults (aged ≥ 65 years), individuals with chronic conditions, pregnant women, children aged 6-24 months and healthcare workers. However, no European country achieves this target in all risk groups. In this study, potential public health and economic benefits achieved by reaching 75% influenza VCR was estimated in risk groups across four European countries: France, Italy, Spain, and the UK.
METHODS: A static epidemiological model was used to estimate the averted public health and economic burden of increasing the 2021/2022 season VCR to 75%, using the efficacy data of standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine. For each country and risk group, the most recent data on population size, VCR, pre-pandemic influenza epidemiology, direct medical costs and absenteeism were identified through a systematic literature review, supplemented by manual searching. Outcomes were: averted influenza cases, general practitioner (GP) visits, hospitalisations, case fatalities, number of days of work lost, direct medical costs and absenteeism-related costs.
RESULTS: As of the 2021/2022 season, the UK achieved the highest weighted VCR across risk groups (65%), followed by Spain (47%), France (44%) and Italy (44%). Based on modelling, the 2021/2022 VCR prevented an estimated 1.9 million influenza cases, avoiding 375,200 GP visits, 73,200 hospitalisations and 38,400 deaths. To achieve the WHO 75% VCR target, an additional 24 million at-risk individuals would need to be vaccinated, most of which being older adults and patients with chronic conditions. It was estimated that this could avoid a further 918,200 influenza cases, 332,000 GP visits, 16,300 hospitalisations and 6,300 deaths across the four countries, with older adults accounting for 52% of hospitalisations and 80% of deaths. An additional €84 million in direct medical costs and €79 million in absenteeism costs would be saved in total, with most economic benefits delivered in France.
CONCLUSIONS: Older adults represent most vaccine-preventable influenza cases and deaths, followed by individuals with chronic conditions. Health authorities should prioritise vaccinating these populations for maximum public health and economic benefits.

The French National Immunization Program was updated in 2013 for vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis. Our previous findings on the evolution of age-specific booster vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) up to 2017 suggested suboptimal vaccination coverages due to the pre-2013 recommendation-residual vaccination practices. In the current analysis, we evaluated all age-specific booster VCR and distribution of age at vaccination visits in 2018. In this retrospective observational cohort study, the cumulative booster VCRs were updated at all vaccination visits up to 2018 among the people who were eligible for a booster vaccination, using a 1/97th random sample of French national healthcare reimbursement databases. The cumulative booster VCR for individuals from all age groups increased from 2017 to 2018, except for 85-years-old vaccination visit. Majority of the individuals from all age groups were vaccinated (boosted) with a vaccine containing the pertussis valence. In 2018, sharp peaks corresponding to the recommended ages for booster vaccination visits were observed for individuals aged 6, 11 to 13, 25, 45, and 65 years. Our study reiterates suboptimal coverages in France and implies the need for booster vaccination throughout life for the protection of the population.

Annual vaccination is fundamental for individual and group protection against seasonal influenza infection. International and Portuguese healthcare organizations have established influenza vaccination coverage rate (VCR) targets for risk groups, namely 75% in people ≥ 65 years old. The Vacinómetro® initiative has been monitoring influenza VCR among target risk groups in Portugal since 2009,: Group 1, ≥ 65 years old; Group 2, patients with chronic conditions; Group 3, healthcare workers in direct contact with patients; and Group 4, 60-64 years old. Besides VCR, social-demographic and health-related variables have been evaluated. During the study period (2009/2010 - 2019/2020), the VCR increased in the 4 target risk groups: from 58.6% to 76.0% in Group 1 (reaching the WHO target); 33.3% to 72.0% in Group 2; 25.0% to 58.9% in Group 3; and 36.6% to 42.8% in Group 4. \"Physician recommendation\" was the main driver for vaccination whereas \"lack of habit\" was the main barrier to vaccination. Vacinómetro® data demonstrate that free-of-charge vaccination has a positive impact on VCR. The observed positive trends in influenza VCR demonstrate that public health measures implemented in Portugal to facilitate access to influenza vaccine result in increased vaccine uptake. Strategies to promote population literacy and the physician\'s awareness should be continued and reinforced. Free-of-charge vaccination criteria extended to more risk groups would also contribute to higher influenza VCR in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus (RV) vaccines are available in Spain since 2006 but are not included in the National Immunization Program. RV vaccination has reached an intermediate vaccination coverage rate (VCR) but with substantial differences between provinces. The aim of this study was to assess the ratio of RV gastroenteritis (RVGE) admissions to all-cause hospitalizations in children under 5 years of age in areas with different VCR.
METHODS: Observational, multicenter, cross-sectional, medical record-based study. All children admitted to the study hospitals with a RVGE confirmed diagnosis during a 5-year period were selected. The annual ratio of RVGE to the total number of all-cause hospitalizations in children < 5 years of age were calculated. The proportion of RVGE hospitalizations were compared in areas with low (< 30%), intermediate (31-59%) and high (> 60%) VCR.
RESULTS: From June 2013 to May 2018, data from 1731 RVGE hospitalizations (16.47% of which were nosocomial) were collected from the 12 study hospitals. RVGE hospital admissions accounted for 2.82% (95 CI 2.72-3.00) and 43.84% (95% CI 40.53-47.21) of all-cause and Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations in children under 5 years of age, respectively. The likelihood of hospitalization due to RVGE was 56% (IC95%, 51-61%) and 27% (IC95%, 18-35%) lower in areas with high and intermediate VCR, respectively, compared to the low VCR areas.
CONCLUSIONS: RVGE hospitalization ratios are highly dependent on the RV VCR. Increasing VCR in areas with intermediate and low coverage rates would significantly reduce the severe burden of RVGE that requires hospital management in Spain. Clinical trial registration Not applicable.

In the UK, annual influenza vaccination is currently recommended for adults aged 16-64 years who are in a clinical at-risk group. Despite recommendations, rates of vaccine uptake in the UK have historically been low and below national and international targets. This study aims to analyse vaccine uptake among adults in clinical at-risk groups from the 2015-2016 influenza season to the present.
A retrospective analysis of influenza vaccine coverage in the UK was conducted using data extracted from publicly available sources. Clinically at-risk individuals (as defined by Public Health England), including pregnant women, aged 16-64 years, were included in this study.
Influenza vaccination coverage rates across the UK in adults aged 16-64 years in a clinical at-risk group have been consistently low over the past 5 years, with only 48.0, 42.4, 44.1 and 52.4% of eligible patients in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receiving their annual influenza vaccination during the 2018-2019 influenza season. Influenza vaccine coverage was lowest in patients with morbid obesity and highest in patients with diabetes in 2018-2019. Coverage rates were below current national ambitions of ≥75% in all clinical risk groups. In these clinical at-risk groups, influenza vaccine coverage decreased between 2015 and 2019, and there was considerable regional variation.
Uptake of the influenza vaccine by adults aged 16-64 years in a clinical at-risk group was substantially below the national ambitions. As a result, many individuals in the UK remain at high risk of developing severe influenza or complications. Given that people who are vulnerable to COVID-19 are also at increased risk of complications from influenza, during the 2020-2021 season, there is a heightened need for healthcare professionals across the UK to address suboptimal vaccine uptake, particularly in at-risk patients. Healthcare professionals and policymakers should consider measures targeted at increasing access to and awareness of the clinical benefits of the influenza vaccine.

The French Cancer Plan 2014-2019 had a target of 60% HPV vaccine coverage. The PAPILLON study investigated the annual age-specific vaccination initiation rates and cumulative partial and complete vaccination rates in France from 2017 to 2022. It also identified the factors associated with vaccination in different age groups and those associated with the type of completion of the vaccination scheme (partial vs full vaccination).
For this publication, all females recorded in the French National Claims database who initiated HPV vaccination between 1 July 2007 and 31 December 2018 and were aged between 11 and 19 years at initiation were included. Annual HPV vaccination initiation rates were estimated in 11- to 14-year-old (target population) and 15- to 19-year-old females (catch-up). Cumulative vaccine coverage rates (VCRs) were estimated among those who were 15, 16, 20 and 21 years old. Partial vaccination was defined by dispensing of at least one dose of HPV vaccine by the pharmacy, while full vaccination was defined by two or three doses dispensed by a pharmacy over an 18-month period, according to current French recommendations based on the age at vaccination initiation.
Among the 465,629 females who initiated HPV vaccination in 2017 or 2018, the initiation rate increased from 7.7 to 11.1% in 11- to 14-year-old girls and from 4.5 to 6.5% in 15- to 19-year-old females. In 2017 and 2018, the cumulative VCRs for partial vaccination by age 15 were 28.2% and 32.8%, respectively, while by age 20, they were 41.6% and 38.8%. The cumulative VCRs for full vaccination were 15.6% and 18.6% by age 16, while they were 25.9 and 23.6% by age 20. HPV vaccination initiation and completion were strongly associated with the use of health services.
Overall, the HPV VCR substantively increased between 2017 and 2018, which is positive evidence of the resumption of vaccination. Updates in 2022 should confirm these results.

Monitoring of vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) is essential to assess the implementation of a country\'s vaccine policy and its effectiveness. Through the French Vaccinoscopy study, we measured the evolution of VCRs as well as mothers\' opinion towards vaccination between 2008 and 2018, before and after implementation of infant mandatory vaccination extension.
This is a study based on an internet-standardised questionnaire. In 2018, a representative sample of 3000 mothers of infants 0 to 35 months of age answered on their opinion on vaccination and reported all vaccinations recorded in their child\'s health record.
On the period considered, infant VCRs were stable and high for diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, pertussis and pneumococcus components and progressed for measles, mumps rubella, 2 doses at 24 months of age from 45.3% in 2008 to 81.0% in 2018, hepatitis B (HepB) complete primovaccination at 6 months of age from 45.9% in 2008 to 86.3% in 2017 and 95.5% in 2018, and meningococcus C (MenC) 1 dose at 6 months of age from 43.0% in 2017 to 74.2% in 2018. In 2018, 69.0% of mothers were in favour of vaccination while this rate dropped from 80.2% in 2012 to 64.0% in 2017, and 80.8 to 89.6% perceived HepB, MenC measles and pertussis vaccinations as useful/essential, percentages in progress versus 2017.
Following the implementation of infant mandatory vaccination in 2018, proportion of mothers in favour of vaccination increased significantly. HepB and MenC VCRs significantly progressed between 2017 and 2018.

Our objectives were to describe Human Papillomavirus vaccination coverage rates (HPV-VCR), policies, and practical steps for programme implementation that may be linked to high uptake in the population targeted by routine programmes across 30 European Union/European Economic Area Member States and Switzerland.
Information from institutional websites and from articles indexed in Medline between 01/2006 and 01/2017 was reviewed and extracted using a standardised form. In 12/2017, a cross-sectional survey was administered to national experts, in order to update the compiled information.
Data were available in 31 countries, and validated by national experts in 28 of them. National vaccination programmes targeted girls 9-15 years of age in 30 countries and boys in 11 countries. HPV-VCR in girls was monitored in 25 countries: VCR was reported ≥71%(high) in ten countries, 51-70% in seven, 31-50% in four, and ≤30%(very low) in four. In high VCR countries, HPV vaccination was mainly delivered through school health services, and invitation and reminders to attend for vaccination were used. In areas with very low VCR, vaccination tended to be opportunistic and no reminders were used.
According to our findings, school delivery within structured vaccination programmes and the use of reminders tended to be associated with highest HPV-VCR.