Accelerating Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction: What Can Be Learned From Prior New Vaccine Introduction Initiatives?

Abstract

The health consequences of typhoid, including increasing prevalence of drug-resistant strains, can stress healthcare systems. While vaccination is one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions, vaccine introduction can take years and require considerable effort. The Typhoid Vaccine Acceleration Consortium (TyVAC) employs an integrated, proactive approach to accelerate the introduction of a new typhoid conjugate vaccine to reduce the burden of typhoid in countries eligible for support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. TyVAC and its partners are executing a plan, informed by prior successful vaccine introductions, and tailored to the nuances of typhoid disease and the typhoid conjugate vaccine. The iterative process detailed herein summarizes the strategy and experience gained from the first 2 years of the project.

Keywords: Africa; Asia; TyVAC; introduction; typhoid conjugate vaccine.

Figure 1.

Process to accelerate availability and access to new vaccines. Vaccine introduction is an iterative process, with interactions and feedback loops at each stage. The required components of successful vaccine introductions in low-resource countries are shown in blue boxes, and the interrelationships between stakeholders are shown in the white boxes and with arrows. Previous successful vaccine introduction programs have emphasized the importance of coordination and advocacy and communication across all stages and between stakeholders. Abbreviations: PQ, prequalification; SAGE, World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts.