BACKGROUND: Japan lacks comprehensive reports on the nationwide voluntary vaccine coverage. The effectiveness of public subsidies in promoting vaccination has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the nationwide coverage of voluntary vaccines, compare it with that of national immunization program (NIP)-included vaccines, and investigate the effectiveness of public subsidies. METHODS: We obtained nationwide monthly vaccine market data for rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus (DTaP-IPV), and mumps vaccines; estimated recipient numbers; and calculated coverage as the proportion of children from October 2011 to March 2022. Regarding the NIP-included vaccine, we compared vaccine coverage calculated from nationwide annual market data with that estimated by World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), using Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: The estimates of Hib and DTaP-IPV vaccine coverage derived from market data were slightly higher than the WHO/UNICEF estimates, with mean differences of 0.05 (95% CI: 0.02-0.07) for Hib and 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.05) for DTaP-IPV. The coverage of the rotavirus vaccine gradually increased long before the implementation of national subsidies, reaching 0.9 in 2020. Hib vaccine coverage had already achieved 1.0 by January 2012. The coverage of the DTaP-IPV vaccine was approximately 0.6-0.8 in 2013, reaching 1.0 in 2014. The coverage of mumps vaccine increased gradually from 2011 to 2021. CONCLUSIONS Despite the possibility of overestimation, our estimates may serve as a valuable surrogate for actual vaccine coverage in Japan. An increasing trend in rotavirus and mumps vaccine coverage was observed when these vaccines were categorized as voluntary. Although vaccination policies differ from country to country, it would be beneficial to share findings on the impact of subsidies in Japan with other countries.
Japan ; Humans ; Vaccination Coverage/statistics & numerical data* ; Infant ; Immunization Programs/statistics & numerical data* ; Rotavirus Vaccines ; Haemophilus Vaccines ; Child, Preschool ; Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated ; Vaccines

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) among < 5-year-old children in three provinces of China during 2020-2024 via a propensity score-matched test-negative case-control study. METHODS: Electronic health records and immunization information systems were used to obtain data on acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases tested for rotavirus (RV) infection. RV-positive cases were propensity score matched with RV-negative controls for age, visit month, and province. RESULTS: The study included 27,472 children with AGE aged 8 weeks to 4 years at the time of AGE diagnosis; 7.98% (2,192) were RV-positive. The VE (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1-2 and 3 doses of RV5 against any medically attended RV infection (inpatient or outpatient) was 57.6% (39.8%, 70.2%) and 67.2% (60.3%, 72.9%), respectively. Among children who received the 3rd dose before turning 5 months of age, 3-dose VE decreased from 70.4% (53.9%, 81.1%) (< 5 months since the 3rd dose) to 63.0% (49.1%, 73.0%) (≥ 1 year since the 3rd dose). The three-dose VE rate was 69.4% (41.3%, 84.0%) for RVGE hospitalization and 57.5% (38.9%, 70.5%) for outpatient-only medically attended RVGE. CONCLUSION Three-dose RV5 VE against rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children aged < 5 years was higher than 1-2-dose VE. Three-dose VE decreased with time since the 3rd dose in children who received the 3rd dose before turning five months of age, but remained above 60% for at least one year. VE was higher for RVGE hospitalizations than for medically attended outpatient visits.
Humans ; Rotavirus Vaccines/immunology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology* ; Male ; Propensity Score ; Female ; Vaccine Efficacy ; Gastroenteritis/virology* ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; Rotavirus

INTRODUCTIONThis was the first study conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 2 oral doses of the human rotavirus vaccine, RIX4414 in Singaporean infants during the first 3 years of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODSHealthy infants, 11 to 17 weeks of age were enrolled in this randomised (1:1), double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to receive 2 oral doses of RIX4414 vaccine/placebo following a 0-, 1-month schedule. Vaccine efficacy against severe rotavirus (RV) gastroenteritis (Vesikari score ≥11) caused by wild-type RV strains from a period starting from 2 weeks post-Dose 2 until 2 and 3 years of age was calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI). Immunogenicity and safety of the vaccine were also assessed.

RESULTSOf 6542 infants enrolled, 6466 were included in the efficacy analysis and a subset of 100 infants was included in the immunogenicity analysis. Fewer severe RV gastroenteritis episodes were reported in the RIX4414 group when compared to placebo at both 2 and 3 year follow-up periods. Vaccine efficacy against severe RV gastroenteritis at the respective time points were 93.8% (95% CI, 59.9 to 99.9) and 95.2% (95% CI, 70.5 to 99.9). One to 2 months post-Dose 2 of RIX4414, 97.5% (95% CI, 86.8 to 99.9) of infants seroconverted for anti-RV IgA antibodies. The number of serious adverse events recorded from Dose 1 until 3 years of age was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONTwo oral doses of RIX4414 vaccine was immunogenic and provided high level of protection against severe RV gastroenteritis in Singaporean children, during the first 3 years of life when the disease burden is highest.

Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Gastroenteritis ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine ; Immunoglobulin A ; immunology ; Infant ; Male ; Rotavirus ; immunology ; Rotavirus Infections ; prevention & control ; Rotavirus Vaccines ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Singapore ; Treatment Outcome ; Vaccines, Attenuated ; immunology ; therapeutic use

Immunizations are among the most cost-effective and widely used public health interventions. This is a report on the revision of recommendations for immunization in children by the Korean Pediatric Society. The new classification system of immunization and the new definition of each category of immunization were introduced. Immunization and vaccines were divided into 4 groups: 1) vaccines that should be given to all infants and children (BCG, hepatitis B vaccine, DTaP, Td, polio vaccine, Japanese encephalitis vaccine, MMR, varicella vaccine, influenza vaccine [6~23 months of age], and H. influenzae type b vaccine), 2) those recommended to all infants and children, but the decision of administration can be made by parents (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, influenza vaccine [healthy children > or = 24 months of age], rotavirus vaccine, and human papilloma virus vaccine), 3) those that should be given to high risk group (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine [high-risk patients > or = 24 months of age], influenza vaccine [high-risk patients > or = 24 months of age], and typhoid vaccine), and 4) those administered for the control of outbreaks or prevention of emerging infectious diseases (all the vaccines that are administered to infants and children can also be administered for the control of outbreaks or prevention of emerging infectious diseases). The immunization schedule recommended by the Korean Pediatric Society is presented. The new edition of the Korean guidelines for immunization in children including detailed descriptions of each vaccine will be published by the end of 2008.
Chickenpox Vaccine ; Child ; Communicable Diseases, Emerging ; Disease Outbreaks ; Encephalitis, Japanese ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunization Schedule ; Infant ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine ; Papilloma ; Parents ; Poliomyelitis ; Public Health ; Rotavirus ; Typhoid Fever ; Vaccination ; Vaccines ; Viruses

Background: Currently, the World Health Organization is encouraging developing countries to establish a seed lot system of rotavirus vaccine for production of this vaccine. Objectives: To determine gene sequences of rotavirus strain that was used for vaccine production and to evaluate its stability. Materials and method: Master seed (G4P6MS), Working seed (G4P6WS) and vaccine strain (G4P6VX) of Rotavirus were used for analysis at the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results: 855 base pairs of gene 4 (VP4); 1195 base pairs of gene 6 (VP6); 824 base pair of gene 9 (VP7) and 715 base pairs of gene 10 (NSP4) from seed lot system and vaccines of G4P6 strain were determined. The results demonstrated this seed lot system is completely stable during vaccine production. There is no difference for nucleotide and amino acid sequence in this seed lot system. Conclusion: G4P6 strain (2001019203) is completely stable during vaccine production.
gene sequences ; seed lot system ; G4P6 (2001019203) ; rotavirus vaccine

Background: Presently, toxicity decreased oral live rotavirus is a candidate for vaccine for the prevention of rotavirus induced diarrhea. According to the World Health Organization, the seed lot system is robustly checked, in which determining the stable of gene sequence. Objective: To determine the sequence of genes 4: 6: 9: 10 with base pair correlative 855: 824: 1314: 734 of seed lot system G1P4 (2001019210) during production of rotavirus vaccine. Subject and methods: Gene 4 (VP4), gene 6 (VP6), gene 9 (VP7) and gene 10 (NSP4) of seed lot system G1P4 were determined for gene sequencing and then comparing the nucleotide sequence as well as deduced amino acids from original strain with the produced strain and vaccine virus. Results and Conclusion: There was no different for nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence from the original strain during the production of rotavirus vaccine of G1P4 MS (2001019210) to producing strains of G1P4 WS and vaccine strains of G1P4 VX.
rotavirus vaccine ; gene sequence

Background: Rotavirus induced diseases is most commonly seen in children between 6 and 36 months old. In developing countries, rotavirus is also a common cause of gastrointestinal inflammation in below 2 years old children. Study on production of vaccine strains is a target that the World Health Organization is providing. Objective: To determine the quantity of different nucleotide and amino acids of genes 4, 6, 9, 10 of the Vietnam seed lot system and vaccine G1P8, G1P4 and G4P6. Subject and methods: By sequence method determine the quantity of different nucleotide and amino acids of gene 4 (VP4), gene 6 (VP6), gene 9 (VP7) and gene 10 (NSP4) of the Vietnam seed lot system and vaccine G1P8 (KH0118), G1P4 (2001019210) and G4P6 (2001019203) in comparison with international standard wild strains such as Ku, DS1, ST3, Hochi, TB-chen. Results and Conclusion: Each strain had a different nucleotide and amino acid sequence and it was characterized by each country. However, these strains had the same general chemical components including nucleic acid and protein. Nucleic acid was a double fiber ARN with 11 genes, and 18 thousand base pairs. 3 proteins with specific antigens were VP4, VP6 and VP7. 57 nucleotide of gene 4 (VP4) of the seed lot system G1P8 were different with Ku (AB22772) strain but there were only 17 different amino acids. For gene 7 (VP7), 70 nucleotide were different between G1P8 strain and Ku (AB222784) strain but there were 15 different amino acids. For gene 6 (VP6), although 141 nucleotide were different between G1P8 strain and Ku (AB222784) strain but there were only 9 different amino acids. For gene 10 (NSP4), 62 nucleotide were different between G1P8 strain and Ku strain (AB222772), making 12 different amino acids.
rotavirus vaccine

Background: Rotavirus strain (KH0118) is used as the primary material to produce original rotavirus vaccine strains with the symbol of G1P8 MS. According to the World Health Organization\u2019s standard, the strain is needed to evaluate the stability of gene throughout analysis of gene and amino acid sequence during vaccine production. Objective: To determine the sequence of genes 4 (VP4), 6 (VP6), 9 (VP7) and 10 (NSP4) with base pair correlative 855:866:1345:745 of seed lot system and vaccine of G1P8 strain and to evaluate the stability of seed lot system during vaccine production. Subject and methods: ARN was divided from the original strain of rotavirus vaccine G1P8 MS, rotavirus vaccine productive strain (G1P8 WS) and rotavirus vaccine (G1P8 VX). Then using primer pairs to determine gene sequence VP4, VP6, VP7, NSP4 and comparing gene and amino acid sequence of the seed lot system. Results and Conclusion: The study demonstrated that, there was no difference for the nucleotide and amino acid sequence from the original strain during production of rotavirus vaccine G1P8 KH0118.
rotavirus vaccine ; G1P8 ; gene sequence