Re-exposure animal bite management among incident animal bite cases in a secondary care Hospital in Delhi, India

Complete postexposure prophylaxis with 4 doses of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) in a previously vaccinated (nonna飗e) individual results in administration of two extra ARV doses resulting in wastages of precious resources comprising vaccine logistics, human resources, physician, and patient time. This cross-sectional study conducted in a secondary care hospital in Delhi among 175 incident animal bite cases observed 39 (22.3%) had an animal-bite history within the previous 5 years. A total of 19 (10.8%) cases reported a history of complete ARV vaccination during a previous animal-bite exposure. However, in the absence of supportive patient medical documentation, all the animal bite cases without exception were prescribed a full course of ARV irrespective of their previous exposure status. Rabies immunoglobulins (anti rabies serum) were also re-administered in 13 (81.2%) cases. National guidelines for rabies prophylaxis should, therefore, consider the inclusion of an explicit decision-making algorithmic mechanism when the health-care provider is confronted with this situation carrying the potential for hidden vaccine wastage.

Assessment of vaccine wastage in an immunization clinic of a tertiary care hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal

Background: Universal Immunization Programme was launched by Government of India in 1985 with the aim of immunizing all children and pregnant women across the country free of cost. However high vaccine wastage and lack of proper vaccine management could not meet the demand and increased the cost.Methods: A descriptive record based study was conducted in the immunization clinic of KPC Medical College and Hospital. Vaccination records of all children and pregnant women attending clinic from 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019 was retrieved from the immunization registers.Results: Wastage rate was found to be highest for bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine vaccine (68.9%) and lowest for oral polio vaccine (27.7%). Wastage rate was higher for 10 dose vial vaccine compared to 5 dose vial and 20 dose vial vaccine and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.00001).The wastage rate was higher for lyophilized vaccine compared to liquid vaccine and for injectable vaccine compared to oral vaccine. These differences were also statistically significant (p<0.00001).Conclusions: Thus regular monitoring of immunization sessions should be done to estimate the vaccine wastage in each session. Reducing wastage is expected to increase the quality and efficiency of the programme and also reduce the cost without compromising the coverage.

Rotavirus and Triple Viral Vaccine Losses in Vaccination Rooms: a Cross-Sectional Study / Perda de vacina anti rotavírus e viral tripla em salas de vacinação: estudo transversal

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze Rotavirus (ROTA) and Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine wastage in vaccination rooms of Juiz de Fora city, MG, Brazil, to identify factors related to this wastage. METHODS: The study had a cross-sectional design, based on spreadsheets reporting monthly vaccine use in a year; and based on questionnaires applied to 45 urban vaccination rooms. A linear regression model was developed, endeavoring to predict vaccine loss rates using variables related to vaccination room infrastructure/operational conditions. RESULTS: Statistical significance was detected for ROTA loss variables: vaccine knowledge, health unit type and number of personnel in the vaccination room (R2=0.33; p = 0.001). It was also found that 1,254 ROTA and 33,762 MMR doses were wasted during the period. Concerning ROTA, 331 (26.4%) were technical losses, and 923 (73.6%) miscellaneous losses; for the MMR vaccine, these numbers were 23,281 (68.96%) for technical losses and 10,481 (31.04%) for miscellaneous losses. CONCLUSION: The percentage losses in the period were significant, which should induce the production of health protocols to facilitate the correction of weaknesses in the studied vaccine cold chain.

RESUMO: Este estudo analisou as perdas vacinais das vacinas contra o Rotavírus (ROTA) e contra o Sarampo, Caxumba e Rubéola (VTV) em salas de vacinação de Juiz de Fora, MG, a fim de identificar os fatores relacionados a essas perdas. MÉTODO: Tratou-se de um estudo transversal, baseado na análise dos movimentos mensais das vacinas estudadas durante um ano, por meio de planilhas e de questionários aplicados em 45 salas de vacinação urbanas. Um modelo de regressão linear foi desenvolvido, tentando prever perdas vacinais por meio de variáveis de infra-estrutura e funcionamento das salas. RESULTADOS: Foi detectada significância estatística para o modelo ROTA, variáveis: conhecimento sobre vacinas, tipo de unidade e número de funcionários que atuam na sala de vacina (R2=0,33; p = 0,001). Constatou-se 1254 doses perdidas de ROTA e 33762 de VTV durante o período pesquisado. Das 1254 doses perdidas de ROTA, 331 (26,4%) foram devidas a Perdas Técnicas, e 923 (73,6%) a Perdas Diversas. Para a vacina VTV, das 33762 doses perdidas, 23281 (68,96%) foram por Perdas Técnicas, e 10481 (31,04%) por Perdas Diversas. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que as perdas percentuais, no período, foram significantes, podendo instigar a produção de protocolos de saúde para auxiliar a eliminação dos pontos frágeis na cadeia de aplicação das vacinas.

Lessons learnt from a measles outbreak in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, June 2014 – March 2015

Objective: This study examined measles vaccine wastage during an outbreak response in Madang Province of Papua New Guinea from June 2014 to March 2015. Methods: Vaccine wastage was defined as the number of doses received by a health centre minus the total number of doses administered during and returned following the outbreak vaccination campaign. Vaccine data were collected from the Provincial Health Information Office, the Provincial Vaccine Store register and clinic and health centre immunization registers for calculating the vaccine wastage. Interviews were conducted with all 48 health centres involved in the outbreak response using a structured questionnaire to explore the reasons for vaccine wastage. Results: Of the 154 110 doses issued by Madang Province during the outbreak, a total of 85 236 (55%) doses were wasted. The wastage varied by district from 31% to 90%. The total cost of the vaccine wastage was estimated to be 589 810 Kina (US$ 196 604). None of the health centres maintained vaccine stock registers. Most health centres indicated multiple failures in cold chain logistics. Almost 40% of health centres reported incorrectly diluting vaccines. The same percentage of health centres reported using incorrect injection techniques. Discussion: Regular audits of cold chain logistics, staff training and improved processes for recording vaccine administration and wastage will decrease vaccine wastage during vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks and also benefit routine immunization activities.