Tae Un Yang1, Eunsung Kim2, Young-Joon Park3, Dongwook Kim4, Yoon Hyung Kwon5, Jae Kyong Shin6, Ok Park7. 1. Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-951, South Korea. Electronic address: taeun.yang@gmail.com. 2. Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-951, South Korea. Electronic address: cairu@hanmail.net. 3. Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-951, South Korea. Electronic address: pahmun@hanmail.net. 4. Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-951, South Korea. Electronic address: dwkim0504@naver.com. 5. Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-951, South Korea. Electronic address: yhhodori@gmail.com. 6. Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-951, South Korea. Electronic address: zora4@naver.com. 7. Division of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Control and National Immunization Program, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungduk-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do 363-951, South Korea. Electronic address: okpark8932@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although pneumococcal vaccines had been recommended for the elderly population in South Korea for a considerable period of time, the coverage has been well below the optimal level. To increase the vaccination rate with integrating the pre-existing public health infrastructure and governmental funding, the Korean government introduced an elderly pneumococcal vaccination into the national immunization program with a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in May 2013. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the program in increasing the vaccine coverage rate and maintaining stable vaccine supply and safe vaccination during the 20 months of the program. METHODS: We qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the process of introducing and the outcomes of the program in terms of the systematic organization, efficiency, and stability at the national level. RESULTS: A staggered introduction during the first year utilizing the public sector, with a target coverage of 60%, was implemented based on the public demand for an elderly pneumococcal vaccination, vaccine supply capacity, vaccine delivery capacity, safety, and sustainability. During the 20-month program period, the pneumococcal vaccine coverage rate among the population aged ≥65 years increased from 5.0% to 57.3% without a noticeable vaccine shortage or safety issues. A web-based integrated immunization information system, which includes the immunization registry, vaccine supply chain management, and surveillance of adverse events following immunization, reduced programmatic errors and harmonized the overall performance of the program. CONCLUSION: Introduction of an elderly pneumococcal vaccination in the national immunization program based on strong government commitment, meticulous preparation, financial support, and the pre-existing public health infrastructure resulted in an efficient, stable, and sustainable increase in vaccination coverage.
BACKGROUND: Although pneumococcal vaccines had been recommended for the elderly population in South Korea for a considerable period of time, the coverage has been well below the optimal level. To increase the vaccination rate with integrating the pre-existing public health infrastructure and governmental funding, the Korean government introduced an elderly pneumococcal vaccination into the national immunization program with a 23-valent pneumococcalpolysaccharide vaccine in May 2013. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the program in increasing the vaccine coverage rate and maintaining stable vaccine supply and safe vaccination during the 20 months of the program. METHODS: We qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the process of introducing and the outcomes of the program in terms of the systematic organization, efficiency, and stability at the national level. RESULTS: A staggered introduction during the first year utilizing the public sector, with a target coverage of 60%, was implemented based on the public demand for an elderly pneumococcal vaccination, vaccine supply capacity, vaccine delivery capacity, safety, and sustainability. During the 20-month program period, the pneumococcal vaccine coverage rate among the population aged ≥65 years increased from 5.0% to 57.3% without a noticeable vaccine shortage or safety issues. A web-based integrated immunization information system, which includes the immunization registry, vaccine supply chain management, and surveillance of adverse events following immunization, reduced programmatic errors and harmonized the overall performance of the program. CONCLUSION: Introduction of an elderly pneumococcal vaccination in the national immunization program based on strong government commitment, meticulous preparation, financial support, and the pre-existing public health infrastructure resulted in an efficient, stable, and sustainable increase in vaccination coverage.
Authors: Jung Yeon Heo; Yu Bin Seo; Won Suk Choi; Jacob Lee; Jin Gu Yoon; Saem Na Lee; Min Joo Choi; Ji Yun Noh; Jin-Young Ahn; Hye Won Jeong; Hee Jin Cheong; Woo Joo Kim; Hee Young Lee; Joon Young Song Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-03-29 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Joon Young Song; Ji Yun Noh; Jin Soo Lee; Seong-Heon Wie; Young Keun Kim; Jacob Lee; Hye Won Jeong; Shin Woo Kim; Sun Hee Lee; Kyung-Hwa Park; Won Suk Choi; Hee Jin Cheong; Woo Joo Kim Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-12-06 Impact factor: 3.240