Maria Laura Silva1, Lionel Perrier2, Jean Marie Cohen3, William John Paget4, Anne Mosnier3, Hans Martin Späth5. 1. Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon F-69007, France; CNRS, GATE Lyon Saint-Etienne, Ecully F-69130, France. Electronic address: maria-laura.silva@univ-lyon2.fr. 2. Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon F-69007, France; CNRS, GATE Lyon Saint-Etienne, Ecully F-69130, France; Direction of Clinical Research and Innovation, DRCI, Léon Bérard Cancer Centre, Lyon, France. 3. Open Rome; Coordination Nationale des Groupes Régionaux d'Observation de la Grippe, Réseau des GROG, Paris, France. 4. Netherlands Institute For Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, The Netherlands. 5. University Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, EAM 4128 Lyon, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To conduct a literature review of influenza vaccination policy, describing roles and interactions between stakeholders and the factors influencing policy-making. METHODS: Major databases were searched using keywords related to influenza vaccination, decision-making and health policy. Titles and abstracts were screened according to defined criteria using independent reviewers. Selected articles were analysed and compared against a checklist. RESULTS: 342 papers were identified, but only 111 included. A wide range of countries was represented in articles published in 1994-2012. We identified numerous stakeholders at the national and international level and found a variety of interactions between them. Using these data, we suggest a scheme for the most important stakeholders and their interactions. Determinants of policy-making were mainly related to the vaccine/disease, political-economic context, and stakeholders communication. The most relevant evidence was clinical/epidemiological studies. After the 2009 pandemic: the importance of mathematical modelling and ethical issues was greater; and the need for better communication between stakeholders was emphasised. CONCLUSIONS: The relevance of evidence and factors influencing policy-making varied between countries, according to complex interactions between the stakeholders involved at different levels of decision-making process. These interactions remain unclear, especially at national level, where the most important influenza policy decisions are made. To better define and understand the exact interactions and use of evidence, we recommend undertaking future qualitative studies at national level using small number of countries.
OBJECTIVES: To conduct a literature review of influenza vaccination policy, describing roles and interactions between stakeholders and the factors influencing policy-making. METHODS: Major databases were searched using keywords related to influenza vaccination, decision-making and health policy. Titles and abstracts were screened according to defined criteria using independent reviewers. Selected articles were analysed and compared against a checklist. RESULTS: 342 papers were identified, but only 111 included. A wide range of countries was represented in articles published in 1994-2012. We identified numerous stakeholders at the national and international level and found a variety of interactions between them. Using these data, we suggest a scheme for the most important stakeholders and their interactions. Determinants of policy-making were mainly related to the vaccine/disease, political-economic context, and stakeholders communication. The most relevant evidence was clinical/epidemiological studies. After the 2009 pandemic: the importance of mathematical modelling and ethical issues was greater; and the need for better communication between stakeholders was emphasised. CONCLUSIONS: The relevance of evidence and factors influencing policy-making varied between countries, according to complex interactions between the stakeholders involved at different levels of decision-making process. These interactions remain unclear, especially at national level, where the most important influenza policy decisions are made. To better define and understand the exact interactions and use of evidence, we recommend undertaking future qualitative studies at national level using small number of countries.