Workshops advocating ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance (AVSSR): A regional initiative.

The concept of ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance (AVSSR) has recently been advocated for by the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), a public organization of Thailand, through two workshops in 2014 and 2015 organized in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) for the ASEAN Collaboration Initiatives for Regional Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance (VSSR). In both workshops relevant policy makers, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) managers, and experts from government and partner agencies involved in the vaccine life cycle actively participated. A paradigm shift in leveraging the initiatives of VSSR from national to regional levels was noted and reiterated.

Economic Evaluation and Budget Impact Analysis of Vaccination against Type b Infection in Thailand.

Current study aimed to estimate clinical and economic outcomes of providing the type b (Hib) vaccination as a national vaccine immunization program in Thailand. A decision tree combined with Markov model was developed to simulate relevant costs and health outcomes covering lifetime horizon in societal and health care payer perspectives. This analysis considered children aged under 5 years old whom preventive vaccine of Hib infection are indicated.

Do Thai Physicians Recommend Seasonal Influenza Vaccines to Pregnant Women? A Cross-Sectional Survey of Physicians' Perspectives and Practices in Thailand.

Background: Physicians play a major role in influencing acceptance and uptake of vaccines. However, little is known about physicians' perspectives on influenza vaccination of pregnant women in Thailand, for whom vaccine coverage is estimated at <1%.

Method: In 2013, a self-administered questionnaire on physicians' perceptions, attitudes and practices related to influenza vaccination for pregnant women was distributed to 1,134 hospitals with an antenatal care clinic (ANC) in Thailand.

What criteria do decision makers in Thailand use to set priorities for vaccine introduction?

Background: There is a need to identify rational criteria and set priorities for vaccines. In Thailand, many licensed vaccines are being considering for introduction into the Expanded Program on Immunization; thus, the government has to make decisions about which vaccines should be adopted. This study aimed to set priorities for new vaccines and to facilitate decision analysis.

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to seasonal influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Thailand.

Background: In 2009, Thailand recommended pregnant women be prioritized for influenza vaccination. Vaccine uptake among Thai pregnant women is lower than other high-risk groups.

Methods: During December 2012-April 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of Thai pregnant women aged ≥ 15 years attending antenatal clinics at public hospitals in 8 of 77 provinces.

Seroincidence of Influenza Among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected Men During the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic, Bangkok, Thailand.

Among 368 Thai men who have sex with men with paired serum samples collected before and during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, we determined influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 seroconversion rates (≥4-fold rise in antibody titers by hemagglutination inhibition or microneutralization assays). Overall, 66 of 232 (28%) participants seroconverted after the first year of A(H1N1)pdm09 activity, and 83 of 234 (35%) participants seroconverted after the second year. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 seroconversion did not differ between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected (55 of 2157 [35%]) and HIV-uninfected (71 of 2211 [34%]) participants (P = .

Seasonal influenza vaccine coverage among high-risk populations in Thailand, 2010-2012.

Background: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice of Thailand prioritizes seasonal influenza vaccinations for populations who are at highest risk for serious complications (pregnant women, children 6 months-2 years, persons ≥65 years, persons with chronic diseases, obese persons), and healthcare personnel and poultry cullers. The Thailand government purchases seasonal influenza vaccine for these groups. We assessed vaccination coverage among high-risk groups in Thailand from 2010 to 2012.

Effectiveness of the 2010 and 2011 Southern Hemisphere trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines against hospitalization with influenza-associated acute respiratory infection among Thai adults aged ≥ 50 years.

Background: Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) effectiveness has been evaluated among older adults in high-income countries, but data on IIV effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries remain sparse. We conducted a test-negative case-control analysis to estimate 2010 and 2011 trivalent IIV effectiveness against hospitalization with influenza-associated acute respiratory infection (ARI) among persons aged ≥ 50 years in rural Thailand.

Methods: During 2010-2011, active surveillance for ARI hospitalization was conducted in two provinces; patients were tested for influenza viruses by real-time RT-PCR.

Influenza vaccination guidelines and vaccine sales in southeast Asia: 2008-2011.

Background: Southeast Asia is a region with great potential for the emergence of a pandemic influenza virus. Global efforts to improve influenza surveillance in this region have documented the burden and seasonality of influenza viruses and have informed influenza prevention strategies, but little information exists about influenza vaccination guidelines and vaccine sales.

Methods: To ascertain the existence of influenza vaccine guidelines and define the scope of vaccine sales, we sent a standard three-page questionnaire to the ten member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Economic analysis for evidence-based policy-making on a national immunization program: a case of rotavirus vaccine in Thailand.

Severe diarrhea caused by rotavirus is a health problem worldwide, including Thailand. The World Health Organization has recommended incorporating rotavirus vaccination into national immunization programs. This policy has been implemented in several countries, but not in Thailand where the mortality rate is not high.

Effectiveness of mouse brain-derived inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine in Thai National Immunization Program: a case-control study.

Mouse brain-derived, purified inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine (MB JEV) has been locally produced and introduced into Thai National Immunization Program (NIP) since 1990. However, MB JEV effectiveness has been concerned, since 30-40% of JE cases received JE vaccines were recently reported in two descriptive studies. Therefore, in 2010, a case-control study was designed to assess effectiveness of the MB JEV used in the NIP, among children aged 1 to <6 years.

Incorporation of private demand into cost-benefit analysis of a universal Hib vaccination program in Thailand.

Conjugate Hib vaccines are costly and Hib meningitis incidence in Thailand is relatively low comparing to western countries; a decision tree model was used for cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of a universal conjugate Hib vaccination program in Thailand. Tangible and intangible costs and benefits of the program, occurring from birth to 60 years of age from the provider and client perspectives, were included in the cost analysis. With a birth cohort of 740,109, at a cost of USD 8 million (THB 288 million), the program will potentially prevent 77 deaths, 19 cases of severe disability, 135 cases of meningitis, and 628 cases of pneumonia resulting in a net benefit of about USD 70 million to society.

A method for estimating vaccine-preventable pediatric influenza pneumonia hospitalizations in developing countries: Thailand as a case study.

The burden of influenza in children is increasingly appreciated; some middle-income countries are considering support for influenza vaccine programs. To support decision-making, methods to estimate the potential impact of proposed programs are needed. Using Thailand as a case-study, we present a model that uses surveillance data, published vaccine effectiveness estimates, and vaccination coverage assumptions to estimate the impact of influenza vaccination on pediatric influenza pneumonia hospitalizations.

The private demand for Hib vaccination in a probable low Hib disease incidence country: Thailand 2006.

This study aimed to determine the private demand for Hib vaccination in Thailand. A willingness-to-pay (WTP) survey was performed by face-to-face interviews of 662 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in 4 regions of the country. Hypothetical incidence scenarios of Hib disease and hypothetical vaccine market scenarios were presented to the respondents.

Immunization policy development in Thailand: the role of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) of Thailand, established nearly 40 years ago and currently consisting of 28 experts in immunization and related fields, develops written recommendations to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) regarding vaccines and immunization. Through careful review of available scientific data, compiled and analyzed by Working Groups set up to examine specific topics, the ACIP makes recommendations concerning the inclusion of new vaccines into the national immunization program, target groups and ages for administration, vaccine schedules, and precautions and contraindications. This paper includes a description of the composition of the ACIP; the process that the Committee uses to formulate recommendations, including required data; and areas for improvement.

Factors associated with diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia in children of Northern Thailand.

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between common clinical features in general practice, and chest radiographic findings among children with suspected bacterial or viral pneumonia. The study was prospective hospital-based carried out in Northern Thailand, from 2000 to 2001. One thousand three hundred ninety-six children under age five years admitted with suspected pneumonia were enrolled in the study.

Bacterial meningitis incidence in Thai children estimated by a rapid assessment tool (RAT).

Acute bacterial meningitis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children. To estimate the incidence of meningitis caused by all types of bacteria in Thai children under five years of age, data were collected using a rapid assessment tool (RAT) and analyzed. Clinical and laboratory data from suspected meningitis cases for a one-year period were retrospectively collected from 5 selected catchment areas located in the 4 regions of the country.

Prospective population-based incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Thailand.

There are limited prospective data for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in Asia, where some countries are considering vaccine introduction. A prospective population-based study was conducted to measure the incidence of Hib meningitis in children in two northern provinces of Thailand. Children <5 years with symptoms consistent with bacterial meningitis were enrolled in the study if inclusion criteria were met.