Article type
Abstract
Background: The Kenya National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (KENITAG) was established by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to provide recommendations on national vaccine policy. In September 2014 the MoH requested a recommendation from KENITAG regarding introduction of the influenza vaccine into Kenya’s national immunization programme.
Objectives: To generate a sufficient body of evidence to guide KENITAG deliberations on the introduction of the influenza vaccine into Kenya’s national immunization programme.
Methods: KENITAG members developed a recommendation framework to identify key data elements that would be used to guide the deliberations on introduction of the vaccine. Elements in the recommendation framework covering the aspects of i) the disease ii) vaccine and immunisation characteristics iii) economic and operational considerations and iv) health policy and programmatic issues were ranked as either critical, important or non-critical to the deliberations. Literature searches for Kenyan data on the elements described in the recommendation framework were undertaken. The quality of identified articles was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool.
Results: Some data were obtained on most of the critical and important elements of the recommendation framework, however, there were significant gaps in knowledge in the national burden of influenza disease, the socio-economic effects of influenza disease and the programmatic requirements of an influenza vaccine programme. By 2016, there was insufficient local data to conclusively finalise KENITAG deliberations on whether to introduce the influenza vaccine into the national immunisation programme.
Conclusions: The use of evidence to guide policy decisions is limited by the availability of good quality local data. Additional data on the burden of influenza in specific age groups, and across different regional areas in the country, the socio-economic impact of the disease and programmatic considerations of a national vaccination program are required to conclude KENITAG deliberations on whether to introduce the influenza vaccine into Kenya’s national immunisation programme.
Objectives: To generate a sufficient body of evidence to guide KENITAG deliberations on the introduction of the influenza vaccine into Kenya’s national immunization programme.
Methods: KENITAG members developed a recommendation framework to identify key data elements that would be used to guide the deliberations on introduction of the vaccine. Elements in the recommendation framework covering the aspects of i) the disease ii) vaccine and immunisation characteristics iii) economic and operational considerations and iv) health policy and programmatic issues were ranked as either critical, important or non-critical to the deliberations. Literature searches for Kenyan data on the elements described in the recommendation framework were undertaken. The quality of identified articles was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool.
Results: Some data were obtained on most of the critical and important elements of the recommendation framework, however, there were significant gaps in knowledge in the national burden of influenza disease, the socio-economic effects of influenza disease and the programmatic requirements of an influenza vaccine programme. By 2016, there was insufficient local data to conclusively finalise KENITAG deliberations on whether to introduce the influenza vaccine into the national immunisation programme.
Conclusions: The use of evidence to guide policy decisions is limited by the availability of good quality local data. Additional data on the burden of influenza in specific age groups, and across different regional areas in the country, the socio-economic impact of the disease and programmatic considerations of a national vaccination program are required to conclude KENITAG deliberations on whether to introduce the influenza vaccine into Kenya’s national immunisation programme.