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•89% of studies reported higher VPD burden among migrants.•70% of studies reported lower immunisation rates among migrants.•Future research needs consensus on employed methodologies and terminology.•Research should disaggregate migrant data to better understand migrant health.•Calls for more evaluation and reporting of screening and vaccination strategies. Studies of vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) burden and immunisation coverage among migrants compared to locally-born populations present a mixed picture on whether migrants experience disproportionate VPD rates and immunisation inequities, and what the associated factors are. We conducted a scoping review to explore differences in VPD burden and immunisation coverage between migrants and non-migrants worldwide. We followed Arksey and O’Malley’s five stage scoping review method. We searched for empirical, peer-reviewed literature published in English that compared VPD burden and/or immunisation coverage between migrant and non-migrant groups published between 2006 and 2016 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science databases. Relevant information from the studies were charted in Microsoft Excel and results were summarised using a descriptive analytical method. Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 13 reporting on VPD burden; n = 27 reporting on immunisation rates; n = 5 reporting on both). Studies that met the criteria only reported findings from high income countries or high-middle income countries. Accounting for results that were presented according to separate ethnic migrant sub-groups, almost all of the studies comparing VPD burden (n = 17, 89%) reported higher burden among migrants compared to non-migrants, while most studies measuring immunisation rates (n = 26, 70%) noted lower rates among migrants. Numerous factors contributed to these findings, including the influence of migrants’ nativity, socio-economic status, migration background, generation status, residential duration, cultural/personal beliefs, language proficiency and healthcare utilisation. Considerable variability of study foci and methodologies limited our ability to make definitive conclusions and comparisons, but the literature suggests that migrant populations generally experience higher VPD burden and lower immunisation rates. The findings highlight a number of important considerations for future research and immunisation programme planning. Future research should explore factors that influence VPD burden and immunisation rates, and strategies to overcome barriers to vaccine uptake among migrants.

There is limited information about vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance cost. To address this gap, retrospective micro-costing studies of pre-COVID-19 pandemic VPD surveillance were conducted in Nepal and Ethiopia. Based on these evaluations—the sole cost evaluations on comprehensive VPD surveillance—this article provides methodological considerations and recommendations for other countries planning to conduct VPD surveillance costing studies to inform planning and budgeting. The methods used for each study were systematically compared by key themes: costing perspective, cost categories, costing approach, allocation of shared costs, sampling criteria, extrapolation strategies, data collection, and analytic adjustments. For each theme, investigators identified methodologic challenges and potential strategies to address them, compared study methodologies to surveillance costing guidelines, and recommended practices for future such studies. The studies used similar perspectives and VPD inclusion criteria. Costs in Nepal were collected and analyzed by a subset of surveillance core and support functions, whereas the Ethiopia study categorized costs using surveillance support functions from the Global Strategy on Comprehensive VPD Surveillance. A mix of random and purposive sampling of surveillance sites was used in both studies. Surveillance sites were selected considering the strata of interest at each administrative level. Results from both studies were extrapolated country-wide using sampling weights and assumptions about the representativeness of purposively sampled units. The review highlighted potential methodologic tradeoffs in utility and precision of results based on the lessons learned from two country VPD surveillance cost studies. The advantages of collecting and using cost estimates by VPD surveillance core versus support function for program budgeting for varied audiences should be explored in future studies. Sampling strategies should be developed with consideration for the precision needed for the intended use of costing results. The resulting recommendations can improve and standardize the conduct and interpretation of future such studies.

•Incidence of several VPDs decreased after the implementation of COVID-19 response measures.•Most likely reason is reduced transmission due to social distancing/school closure.•MMR1 vaccinations scheduled in March-September 2020 were somewhat delayed.•MMR1 participation showed a rather quick although not yet complete catch-up. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and participation in the routine infant vaccination programme in the Netherlands. The incidence of various VPDs initially decreased by 75–97% after the implementation of the Dutch COVID-19 response measures. The participation in the first measles-mumps-rubella vaccination among children scheduled for vaccination in March-September 2020 initially dropped by 6–14% compared with the previous year. After catch-up vaccination, a difference in MMR1 participation of −1% to −2% still remained. Thus, the pandemic has reduced the incidence of several VPDs and has had a limited impact on the routine infant vaccination programme.

Multiplex bead immunoassays (MBA) can detect antibody responses to multiple antigens. Using MBA data from the Surveillance and Monitoring to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and Scabies from Samoa (SaMELFS) 2018, we aim to estimate national seroprevalence of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), and arboviruses in Samoa. A community-based serosurvey of 3851 participants aged ≥ 5 years in 35 primary sampling units (PSUs). Using MBA, dried blood spots were assayed for antibodies (Ab) from 10 pathogens: LF, trachoma, yaws, tetanus, diphtheria, rubella, measles, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Seroprevalence was adjusted for study design, age, and gender. NTD seroprevalence for LF was 50.8% ( Bm33 Ab), 32.0% ( Wb123 Ab), 20.3% ( Bm14 Ab); 5.5% for trachoma; and 1.0% ( Tmpa Ab) and 0.2% ( Rp17 Ab) for yaws. VPD seroprevalence was 91.0% for tetanus, 83.5% for diphtheria, 79.0% for rubella, and 43.6% for measles. Arbovirus seroprevalence for dengue was 91.1% (dengue virus serotype-1 [DENV-1]), 97.2% (DENV-2), 96.9% (DENV-3), 94.7% (DENV-4); 85.7% for Zika; and 57.0% for chikungunya. Increasing age was associated with seropositivity to NTDs, arboviruses, tetanus, and measles. Clustering was highest at the household level; the strongest clustering was for DENV-3 (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]:0.32), Bm33 Ab (ICC:0.31), and Bm14 Ab (ICC:0.31). Integrated serosurveillance can provide a comprehensive picture of population-level immunity to multiple diseases. Our investigation into associations with seroprevalence can aid the development of evidence-based prevention, control, and elimination strategies.

Objective To analyze the classification of the risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in Brazilian municipalities before and after the National Movement for Vaccination and Multivaccination proposed by the Ministry of Health. Methods This is an epidemiological, ecological study using secondary data on vaccination coverage, dropout rates, and homogeneity of vaccination coverage (HCV) for ten immunobiologicals recommended for children under 2 years of age. The study aims to compare the years 2022 and 2023 in Brazil. The vaccination coverage index (VCI), HCV, and dropout rate (DR) were evaluated in the municipalities of Brazil in the years 2022 and 2023. The municipalities were classified into risk strata for transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases before and after the strategy proposed by the Ministry of Health. Results The study found an increase in median vaccination coverage (VC) for all vaccines evaluated, except for the varicella vaccine. Regarding HCV, in 2022, 27.99% of Brazilian municipalities were classified as adequate (≥ 70%), and 410 (7.36%) achieved 100% HCV for all vaccines. In 2023, 34.90% of municipalities were classified as adequate (≥ 70%), and among them, 582 (10.46%) achieved 100% HCV for all vaccines. In terms of the risk classification for the transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases, Brazil had 72.01% of municipalities classified as high or very high risk in 2022, which decreased to 65.13% in 2023. As for municipalities classified as low or very low risk, 11.27% fell into this category in 2022, increasing to 18.12% in 2023. Conclusion The study concludes that VC surveillance, in conjunction with the Microplanning for High-Quality Vaccination Activities methodology developed by the Ministry of Health in 2023, played a crucial role in resuming immunization efforts that had been hindered by science denialism and the COVID-19 pandemic.

To analyze mortality burden and spatial distribution of vaccine-preventable diseases in children under five in Brazil from 2000 to 2019. Ecological study. Study using vaccination coverage data from 2000 to 2019 across 5570 Brazilian municipalities, and mortality estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2019. Spatial analyses were conducted to identify statistically significant clusters (p < 0.05) and spatial autocorrelation. There was a reduction in mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases in Brazil between 2000 and 2019. The North and Northeast regions showed high mortality rates and lower vaccination coverage compared to other regions. Infant mortality in Brazil decreased significantly, especially after improvements in vaccination coverage. However, this reduction was not uniform, with the North and Northeast regions showing clusters of high mortality.

Global emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 curtailed vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance activities, but little is known about which surveillance components were most affected. In May 2021, we surveyed 214 STOP (originally Stop Transmission of Polio) Program consultants to determine how VPD surveillance activities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, where program consultants are deployed. Our report highlights the responses from 154 (96%) of the 160 consultants deployed to the World Health Organization African Region, which comprises 75% (160/214) of all STOP Program consultants deployed globally in early 2021. Most survey respondents observed that VPD surveillance activities were somewhat or severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Reprioritization of surveillance staff and changes in health-seeking behaviors were factors commonly perceived to decrease VPD surveillance activities. Our findings suggest the need for strategies to restore VPD surveillance to prepandemic levels.

During August 2017-January 2018, more than 700,000 forcibly displaced Rohingyas crossed into Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. In response to measles and diphtheria cases, first documented in September and November 2017, respectively, vaccination campaigns targeting children <15 years old were mobilized during September 2017-March 2018. However, in a rapidly evolving emergency situation, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, and lack of access to safe water and healthcare can increase susceptibility to infectious diseases, particularly among children. We aimed to estimate population immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) after vaccination activities in the camps to identify any remaining immunity gaps among Rohingya children. We conducted a cross-sectional serologic and vaccination coverage survey in Nayapara Registered Refugee Camp (\"Nayapara\") and makeshift settlements (MSs) April 28, 2018 to May 31, 2018, among 930 children aged 6 months to 14 years. MSs are informal, self-settled areas with a population of more than 850,000, the majority of whom arrived after August 2017, whereas Nayapara is a registered camp and has better infrastructure than MSs, including provision of routine immunization services. Households were identified using simple random sampling (SRS) in Nayapara and multistage cluster sampling in MSs (because household lists were unavailable). Dried blood spots (DBSs) were collected to estimate seroprotection against measles, rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus, using Luminex multiplex bead assay (MBA). Caregiver interviews assessed vaccination campaign participation using vaccination card or recall. In Nayapara, 273 children aged 1 to 6 years participated; 46% were female and 88% were registered refugees. In MSs, 358 children aged 1 to 6 years and 299 children aged 7 to 14 years participated; 48% of all children in MSs were female, and none were registered refugees. In Nayapara, estimated seroprotection among 1- to 6-year-olds was high for measles, rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus (91%-98%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 87%-99%); children >6 years were not assessed. In MSs, measles seroprotection was similarly high among 1- to 6-year-olds and 7- to 14-year-olds (91% [95% CI 86%-94%] and 99% [95% CI 96%-100%], respectively, p < 0.001). Rubella and diphtheria seroprotection in MSs were significantly lower among 1- to 6-year-olds (84% [95% CI 79%-88%] and 63% [95% CI 56%-70%]) compared to 7- to 14-year-olds (96% [95% CI 90%-98%] and 77% [95% CI 69%-84%]) (p < 0.001). Tetanus seroprevalence was similar among 1- to 6-year-olds and 7- to 14-year-olds (76% [95% CI 69%-81%] and 84% [95% CI 77%-89%], respectively; p = 0.07). Vaccination campaign coverage was consistent with seroprotection in both camps. However, nonresponse, the main limitation of the study, may have biased the seroprotection and campaign coverage results. In this study, we observed that despite multiple vaccination campaigns, immunity gaps exist among children in MSs, particularly for diphtheria, which requires serial vaccinations to achieve maximum protection. Therefore, an additional tetanus-diphtheria campaign may be warranted in MSs to address these remaining immunity gaps. Rapid scale-up and strengthening of routine immunization services to reach children and to deliver missed doses to older children is also critically needed to close immunity gaps and prevent future outbreaks.

Vaccine-preventable infections (VPIs) are a common and serious complication following transplantation. One in six pediatric solid organ transplant recipients is hospitalized with a VPI in the first 5 years following transplant and these hospitalizations result in significant morbidity, mortality, graft injury, and cost. Immunizations are a minimally invasive, cost-effective approach to reducing the incidence of VPIs. Despite published recommendations for transplant candidates to receive all age-appropriate immunizations, under-immunization remains a significant problem, with the majority of transplant recipients not up-to-date on age-appropriate immunizations at the time of transplant. This is extremely concerning as the rate for non-medical vaccine exemptions in the United States (US) is increasing, decreasing the reliability of herd immunity to protect patients undergoing transplant from VPIs. There is an urgent need to better understand barriers to vaccinating this population of high-risk children and to develop effective interventions to overcome these barriers and improve immunization rates. Strengthened national policies requiring complete age-appropriate immunization for non-emergent transplant candidates, along with improved multi-disciplinary immunization practices and tools to facilitate and ensure complete immunization delivery to this high-risk population, are needed to ensure that we do everything possible to prevent infectious complications in pediatric transplant recipients.

•There are significant immunity gaps among pregnant employees in Germany.•Immunity rates differed between different socioeconomic groups.•Hospital staff showed the highest rate of full immunity, teachers the lowest.•The level of access to occupational-medical care might influence immunity rates. Immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases prior to pregnancy is an important measure of primary prevention both for the mother and the unborn child. We analyzed immunity rates against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and pertussis in pregnant employees in Germany prior to significant changes in legal conditions in 2020, to provide a basis of comparison for future research. We analyzed occupational-medical routine data in three collectives of pregnant women with an occupational risk of infection in the years 2018 and 2019: 1: hospital staff with regular access to an in-house company physician (n = 148); 2: employees in childcare with regular access to external occupational-health services (n = 139); 3: teachers with no regular access to occupational healthcare (n = 285). Immune status was assessed by a physician based on vaccination certificates, laboratory results, and medical documentation on prior infections. We compared immunity rates against measles, rubella, varicella, and pertussis as well as full immunity against all targeted vaccine-preventable diseases. Altogether, n = 572 pregnant women were included in our study. Of these women, 96.5 % were immune to rubella, 95.8 % to varicella, 88.3 % to measles, 82.7 % to mumps, and 67.8 % to pertussis. Only 56.2 % of the women had full immunity against all targeted vaccine-preventable diseases. Collective 1 showed the highest immunity rates against measles and pertussis as well as the highest rate of full immunity against all targeted vaccine-preventable diseases. The immunity rates against rubella and varicella did not differ significantly between the collectives. With the exception of rubella, the lowest immunity rates during pregnancy were found in Collective 3. We found pregnancy-relevant immunity gaps in all our study groups with significant differences between the collectives. Considering the potentially devastating consequences of infections during pregnancy, all medical professionals and health-policy makers should be involved in an increased effort to improve vaccination rates prior to pregnancy.