The partnership for influenza vaccine introduction (PIVI): Supporting influenza vaccine program development in low and middle-income countries through public-private partnerships

Abstract

Influenza vaccination remains the most effective tool for reducing seasonal influenza disease burden. Few Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) have robust, sustainable annual influenza national vaccination programs. The Partnership for Influenza Vaccine Introduction (PIVI) was developed as a public-private partnership to support LMICs to develop and sustain national vaccination programs through time-limited vaccine donations and technical support. We review the first 5 years of experience with PIVI, including the concept, country progress toward sustainability, and lesson learned. Between 2013 and 2018, PIVI worked with Ministries of Health in 17 countries. Eight countries have received donated vaccines and technical support; of these, two have transitioned to sustained national support of influenza vaccination and six are increasing national support of the vaccine programs towards full transition to local vaccine program support by 2023. Nine additional countries have received technical support for building the evidence base for national policy development and/or program evaluation. PIVI has resulted in increased use of vaccines in partner countries, and early countries have demonstrated progress towards sustainability, suggesting that a model of vaccine and technical support can work in LMICs. PIVI expects to add new country partners as current countries transition to self-reliance.

Keywords: Influenza, Influenza vaccine, low and middle-income countries; NITAG; Vaccination programs; Vaccine policy.

Fig. 1

Paradigm for steps towards building sustainable influenza vaccination programs in PIVI partner country.

Fig. 2

Example of country processes and progress in introducing or expanding influenza vaccination within the PIVI framework – Albania. FluTool- The WHO tool for estimating economic costs of introducing influenza vaccination; NITAG – National Immunization Technical Advisory Group. KAPP – Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions and Practice survey; PW – pregnant women; HCW – healthcare workers; SECID – South East European Center for Infectious Disease.