Hepatitis A Seroprevalence Among HIV-Exposed and Unexposed Pediatric Populations in South Africa.

There is limited evidence comparing hepatitis A seroprevalence among HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU), HIV-infected (HIV), and unexposed uninfected (HUU) children. This compromises rational vaccine decision-making. This study comprised a retrospective health facility-based population of children aged 1 month-12 years.

Vaccines in the fight against antimicrobial resistance - perspectives from South Africa.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), in which microbes adapt to and resist current therapies, is a well-recognised global problem that threatens to reverse gains made by modern medicine in the last decades. AMR is a complex issue; however, at its core, it is driven by the overuse and inappropriate use of antimicrobials. Socioeconomic factors have been identified as significant contributors to the emergence and exacerbation of AMR, especially in populations facing inadequate access to healthcare, poor sanitation services and high morbidity and mortality rates.

Acceptance and uptake of vaccines against tetanus, influenza, pertussis, and COVID-19 among pregnant and postpartum women in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Pregnant women, fetuses, and neonates are particularly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). These VPDs are associated with high morbidity and mortality among expectant mothers and their fetuses and neonates. Vaccination during pregnancy can protect the expectant mother from VPDs to which she may be especially vulnerable while pregnant.

Outcomes of childhood TB in countries with a universal BCG vaccination policy.

TB remains an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Underdiagnosis, underreporting and limited data on the outcomes of childhood TB have led to an underestimation of its impact.This was a systematic review to characterise childhood TB outcomes.

Region-wide assessment of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) using the NITAG Maturity Assessment Tool (NMAT) - Experience from the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization, 2023.

National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) are independent bodies that help improve national immunization programmes in decision making on immunization policy. The new NITAG Maturity Assessment Tool (NMAT) provided an opportunity to conduct a region-wide assessment to improve NITAG capacity and foster institutional growth. We share experience of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in using NMAT and the use of findings to develop improvement plans.