The Operational Feasibility of Vaccination Programs Targeting Influenza Risk Groups in the World Health Organization (WHO) African and South-East Asian Regions.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination is uncommon in low-resource settings. We evaluated aspects of operational feasibility of influenza vaccination programs targeting risk groups in the World Health Organization (WHO) African (AFR) and South-East Asian (SEAR) Regions. METHODS: We estimated routine immunization and influenza vaccination campaign doses, doses per vaccinator, and cold storage requirements for 1 simulated country in each region using evidence-based population distribution, vaccination schedule, and vaccine volumes. Influenza vaccination targeted persons <5 years, pregnant women, persons with chronic diseases, persons ≥65 years, and healthcare workers (HCW). For the AFR country, we compared vaccine volumes to actual storage capacities. RESULTS: Targeting HCW had a small operational impact, and subsequent findings exclude this group. During 3-month influenza vaccination campaigns, monthly doses delivered in the AFR country increased from 15.0% for ≥65 years to 93.1% for <5 years and in the SEAR country from 19.6% for pregnant women to 145.0% for persons with chronic diseases. National-level cold storage capacity requirements increased in the AFR country from 4.1% for ≥65 years to 20.3% for <5 years and in the SEAR country from 3.9% for pregnant women to 28.8% for persons with chronic diseases. Subnational-level cold storage capacity requirements increased in the AFR country from 5.9% for ≥65 years to 36.8% for <5 years and the SEAR country from 17.6% for pregnant women to 56.0% for persons with chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination of most risk groups will require substantial increases in doses, doses per vaccinator, and cold storage capacity in countries where infrastructure and resources are limited.

The potential effects of deploying SARS-Cov-2 vaccines on cold storage capacity and immunization workload in countries of the WHO African Region.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will be deployed to countries with limited immunization systems. METHODS: We assessed the effect of deploying SARS-Cov-2 vaccines on cold storage capacity and immunization workload in a simulated WHO African Region country using region-specific data on immunization, population, healthcare workers (HCWs), cold storage capacity (quartile values for national and subnational levels), and characteristics of an approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. We calculated monthly increases in vaccine doses, doses per vaccinator, and cold storage volumes for four-month SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns targeting risk groups compared to routine immunization baselines. RESULTS: Administering SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to risk groups would increase total monthly doses by 27.0% for ≥ 65 years, 91.7% for chronic diseases patients, and 1.1% for HCWs. Assuming median nurse density estimates adjusted for absenteeism and proportion providing immunization services, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns would increase total monthly doses per vaccinator by 29.3% for ≥ 65 years, 99.6% for chronic diseases patients, and 1.2% for HCWs. When we applied quartiles of actual African Region country vaccine storage capacity, routine immunization vaccine volumes exceeded national-level storage capacity for at least 75% of countries, but subnational levels had sufficient storage capacity for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for at least 75% of countries. CONCLUSIONS: In the WHO African Region, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns would substantially increase doses per vaccinator and cold storage capacity requirements over routine immunization baselines. Pandemic vaccination campaigns would increase storage requirements of national-level stores already at their limits, but sufficient capacity exists at subnational levels. Immediate attention to strengthening immunization systems is essential to support pandemic responses.

Risk Factors for Primary Failure of Metallic Ureteral Stents: Experience from a Tertiary Center.

Introduction: We provide primary patency rate of metallic ureteral stents in cancer patients and investigate the factors affecting primary patency. Methods: All cancer patients who had received metallic stents for malignant ureteral obstruction between July 2009 and November 2012 in our institute were included. No patients were excluded. Patient profiles, imaging studies, and laboratory data were collected. Patient profiles included age, gender, body height, body weight, body mass index, cancer types, treatment for cancer, response to cancer treatment, methods of stent insertion, and prior ordinary stents. Imaging studies included renal ultrasonography, antegrade pyelography, CT, and MRI. Laboratory data included urinalysis, urine culture, and serum creatinine. Complications were defined according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Primary patency was defined as a complete resolution or downgrading of hydronephrosis shown by imaging studies or success in the removal of a preexisting nephrostomy tube; otherwise the procedure was considered a primary failure. The primary endpoint was the primary patency rate of the stents. The secondary endpoints were risk factors for primary stent failure. Results: A total of 124 stents were inserted into 96 patients with malignant ureteral obstruction. There were no grade 3/4 complications. The overall primary patency rate was 87.9% (109/124). In univariate analysis, antegrade insertion (OR = 24.15, p-value = 0.0086) and urinary tract cancer (OR = 4.18, p-value = 0.0164) were significantly associated with primary failure. Those with prior ordinary stents (OR = 0.20, p-value = 0.0158) or response to cancer treatment (OR = 0.25, p-value = 0.0228) were associated with stent patency. In multivariate analysis, antegrade insertion (OR = 22.04, p-value = 0.0041) and response to cancer treatment (OR = 0.15, p-value = 0.01081) remained significant factors. Conclusions: In this large cohort of cancer patients requiring urinary diversion to preserve renal function, several factors were associated with the success rate of metallic stents.

The operational impact of deploying SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in countries of the WHO African Region.

BACKGROUND: When available, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will be deployed to countries with limited immunization systems. METHODS: We conducted an immunization capacity assessment of a simulated WHO African Region country using region-specific data on immunization, population, healthcare workers (HCWs), vaccine cold storage capacity (quartile values for national and subnational levels), and characteristics of influenza vaccines to represent future SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We calculated monthly increases in vaccine doses, doses per vaccinator, and cold storage volumes for four-month SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns targeting risk groups compared to routine immunization baselines. FINDINGS: Administering SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to risk groups would increase total monthly doses by 27.0% for ≥65 years, 91.7% for chronic diseases patients, and 1.1% for HCWs. Assuming median nurse density estimates adjusted for absenteeism and proportion providing immunization services, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns would increase total monthly doses per vaccinator by 29.3% for ≥65 years, 99.6% for chronic diseases patients, and 1.2% for HCWs. When we applied quartiles of actual African Region country vaccine storage capacity, routine immunization vaccine volumes exceeded national-level storage capacity for at least 75% of countries, but subnational levels had sufficient storage capacity for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for at least 75% of countries. INTERPRETATION: In the WHO African Region, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns would substantially increase doses per vaccinator and cold chain capacity requirements over routine immunization baselines. Pandemic vaccination campaigns would add volume to national-level stores already at their limits, but sufficient capacity exists at subnational levels. Immediate attention to strengthening immunization systems is essential to support pandemic responses. FUNDING: None.

Evaluating the cost per child vaccinated with full versus fractional-dose inactivated poliovirus vaccine.

INTRODUCTION: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) shortages and evidence of improved immunogenicity of two intradermal (ID) fractional IPV (fIPV) doses compared with one full intramuscular dose led to recommendations for fIPV delivery. To provide evidence on the economics of fIPV, we estimated the cost per child vaccinated using full-dose IPV compared with fIPV in routine and campaign settings. We evaluated the impact on costs of alternative devices facilitating ID administration, vaccine vial sizes, and prices. METHODS: We used an Excel-based model to estimate the commodity and delivery costs for providing IPV. Commodity costs included vaccine price per dose adjusted for wastage, prices for vaccine administration devices, and safety boxes. Delivery costs included storage costs at each level of the supply chain, transport costs for commodities between levels, and human resource costs for vaccine administration. Model inputs were obtained from various databases and published literature. All costs are reported in 2018 US dollars. RESULTS: In both campaign and routine settings, fIPV had a lower cost per child vaccinated than full dosing, despite the assumed higher vaccine wastage with fIPV in routine settings, and even when novel ID administration devices were used. In routine settings, costs per child fully vaccinated with fractional doses were 15% to 48% lower than those with full-dose delivery across different vial sizes. The cost per child vaccinated ranged from $1.84 to $2.65 for fractional doses, depending on the administration device, compared with $3.57 for full dose, when using 5-dose vials. The magnitude of cost reductions with fIPV relative to full-dose IPV was largest with smaller vial sizes and higher vaccine price. CONCLUSION: Adopting fIPV can reduce costs per child vaccinated compared with using full doses, especially as IPV prices increase in the short term and more so when two full doses could be recommended in the future.

Cost of goods sold and total cost of delivery for oral and parenteral vaccine packaging formats.

Despite limitations of glass packaging for vaccines, the industry has been slow to implement alternative formats. Polymer containers may address many of these limitations, such as breakage and delamination. However, the ability of polymer containers to achieve cost of goods sold (COGS) and total cost of delivery (TCOD) competitive with that of glass containers is unclear, especially for cost-sensitive low- and lower-middle-income countries. COGS and TCOD models for oral and parenteral vaccine packaging formats were developed based on information from subject matter experts, published literature, and Kenya's comprehensive multiyear plan for immunization. Rotavirus and inactivated poliovirus vaccines (IPV) were used as representative examples of oral and parenteral vaccines, respectively. Packaging technologies evaluated included glass vials, blow-fill-seal (BFS) containers, preformed polymer containers, and compact prefilled auto-disable (CPAD) devices in both BFS and preformed formats. For oral vaccine packaging, BFS multi-monodose (MMD) ampoules were the least expensive format, with a COGS of $0.12 per dose. In comparison, oral single-dose glass vials had a COGS of $0.40. BFS MMD ampoules had the lowest TCOD of oral vaccine containers at $1.19 per dose delivered, and ten-dose glass vials had a TCOD of $1.61 per dose delivered. For parenteral vaccines, the lowest COGS was achieved with ten-dose glass vials at $0.22 per dose. In contrast, preformed CPAD devices had the highest COGS at $0.60 per dose. Ten-dose glass vials achieved the lowest TCOD of the parenteral vaccine formats at $1.56 per dose delivered. Of the polymer containers for parenteral vaccines, BFS MMD ampoules achieved the lowest TCOD at $1.89 per dose delivered, whereas preformed CPAD devices remained the most expensive format, at $2.25 per dose delivered. Given their potential to address the limitations of glass and reduce COGS and TCOD, polymer containers deserve further consideration as alternative approaches for vaccine packaging.

Intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy during laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy: Precise localization of the lesion.

In a case of upper ureteral stricture refractory to laser ureterotomy, laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy was performed for resection of the stricture and reanastomosis of the ureter. Precise localization of the stricture segment was achieved by retrograde ureteroscopy performed concurrently with laparoscopy, with minimal change in the patient's position.

Malignant Ureteral Obstruction: Functional Duration of Metallic versus Polymeric Ureteral Stents.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral obstruction caused by extrinsic compression is often associated with intra-abdominal cancers. Internal drainage with ureteral stents is typically the first-line therapy to relieve such obstructions. Novel designs of ureteral stents made of different materials have been invented to achieve better drainage. In this study, we described the functional outcomes of a Resonance metallic ureteral stent (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana, USA) in patients with malignant ureteral obstruction and compare the functional duration of Resonance stents with regular polymeric stents in the same cohort. METHODS: Cancer patients who received polymeric stents and subsequent Resonance stents for ureteral obstruction between July 2009 and November 2012 were included in a chart review. Stent failure was detected by clinical symptoms, imaging studies, and renal function tests. The functional durations of each stent were calculated, and possible factors affecting stent patency were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 50 stents were successfully inserted into 50 ureteral units in 42 patients with malignant ureteral obstruction. There were 7 antegrade stents and 43 retrograde stents. There were no major complications. Stent-related symptoms were similar in both kinds of stents. After polymeric stents were replaced with Resonance metallic stents, hydronephrosis subsided or remained stable in 90% (45/50) of the ureteral units. Serum creatinine decreased or remained stable in 90% (38/42) of these patients. The Resonance stent exhibited a mean increase in functional duration of 4 months compared with the polymeric stents (p<0.0001), and 50% (25/50) of the Resonance stents exhibited a significant increase in functional duration (more than 3 months). Pre-operative serum creatinine < 2 was associated with a substantial increase in stent duration. CONCLUSIONS: Resonance stents are effective and safe in relieving malignant ureteral obstructions after polymeric stents failure. Resonance stents can provide a longer functional duration than polymeric stents and should be offered as an option for internal drainage.

Metallic ureteral stents in malignant ureteral obstruction: clinical factors predicting stent failure.

PURPOSE: To provide clinical outcomes of the Resonance metallic ureteral stent in patients with malignant ureteral obstruction, as well as clinical factors predicting stent failure. METHODS: Cancer patients who have received Resonance stents from July 2009 to March 2012 for ureteral obstruction were included for chart review. Stent failure was detected by clinical symptoms, image studies, and renal function tests. Survival analysis for stent duration was used to estimate patency rate and factors predicting stent failure. RESULTS: A total of 117 stents were inserted successfully into 94 ureteral units in 79 patients. There were no major complications. These stents underwent survival analysis and proportional hazard regression. The median duration for the stents was 5.77 months. In multivariate analysis, age (P=0.043), preoperative serum creatinine level (P=0.0174), and cancer type (P=0.0494) were significant factors associated with stent failure. Cancer treatment before and after stent insertion had no effect on stent duration. CONCLUSIONS: Resonance stents are effective and safe in relieving malignant ureteral obstructions. Old age and high serum creatinine level are predictors for stent failure. Stents in patients with lower gastrointestinal cancers have longer functional duration.

Metallic ureteral stents in malignant ureteral obstruction: short-term results and radiological features predicting stent failure in patients with non-urological malignancies.

PURPOSE: To provide short-term result of the metallic ureteral stent in patients with malignant ureteral obstruction and identify radiological findings predicting stent failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of all patients with non-urological malignant diseases who have received metallic ureteral stents from July 2009 to March 2012 for ureteral obstruction were reviewed. Stent failure was detected by clinical symptoms and imaging studies. Survival analysis was used to estimate patency rates and factors predicting stent failure. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients with 130 attempts of stent insertion were included. A total of 113 (86.9 %) stents were inserted successfully and 103 (91.2 %) achieved primary patency. After excluding cases without sufficient imaging data, 94 stents were included in the survival analysis. The median functional duration of the 94 stents was 6.2 months (range 3-476 days). Obstruction in abdominal ureter (p = 0.0279) and lymphatic metastasis around ureter (p = 0.0398) were risk factors for stent failure. The median functional durations of the stents for abdominal and pelvic obstructions were 4.5 months (range 3-263 days) and 6.5 months (range 4-476 days), respectively. The median durations of the stents with and without lymphatic metastasis were 5.3 months (range 4-398 days) and 7.8 months (range 31-476 days), respectively. CONCLUSION: Metallic ureteral stents are effective and safe in relieving ureteral obstructions resulting from non-urological malignancies, and abdominal ureteral obstruction and lymphatic metastasis around ureter were associated with shorter functional duration.