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Review
. 2016 Jan-Mar;5(1):7-15.
doi: 10.4103/2249-4863.184616.

Vaccine epidemiology: A review

Chandrakant Lahariya  1
Affiliations
Review

Vaccine epidemiology: A review

Chandrakant Lahariya. J Family Med Prim Care. 2016 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

This review article outlines the key concepts in vaccine epidemiology, such as basic reproductive numbers, force of infection, vaccine efficacy and effectiveness, vaccine failure, herd immunity, herd effect, epidemiological shift, disease modeling, and describes the application of this knowledge both at program levels and in the practice by family physicians, epidemiologists, and pediatricians. A case has been made for increased knowledge and understanding of vaccine epidemiology among key stakeholders including policy makers, immunization program managers, public health experts, pediatricians, family physicians, and other experts/individuals involved in immunization service delivery. It has been argued that knowledge of vaccine epidemiology which is likely to benefit the society through contributions to the informed decision-making and improving vaccination coverage in the low and middle income countries (LMICs). The article ends with suggestions for the provision of systematic training and learning platforms in vaccine epidemiology to save millions of preventable deaths and improve health outcomes through life-course.

Keywords: Child health; epidemiology; life course; vaccines.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Primary and secondary response Note: The primary series is the vaccine dose required for a primary response. There is a slow development of antibody in the body after the first dose of the vaccine is administered, and it usually takes 3-4 weeks to reach the peak antibody response. When a subsequent dose is administered (booster dose), a higher and quicker immune response is received (secondary immune response)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Relationship between percentage of cases vaccinated and vaccine efficacy Note: With this figure, vaccine efficacy could be assessed by the following formula: PCV = [PPV- (PPV*VE)]/[1-(PPV*VE)]. Here, PCV = Proportion of cases occurring among vaccinated individuals, PPV = Proportion of population vaccinated, and VE = Vaccine efficacy. If any of the two values in this formula is known, the third value can be derived
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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