title: MeNZB vaccine and epidemic control: when do you stop vaccinating?
abstract: New Zealand developed a strain-specific group B meningococcal vaccine to control an epidemic. Following a mass vaccination campaign of three doses to the population under 20 years of age, commencing in July 2004, the vaccine continued to be offered routinely as a four-dose schedule from 6 weeks of age. There is little international data on when to cease epidemic vaccination campaigns. The decision to stop using this vaccine needed to take into account a range of factors. These included epidemiology, vaccine effectiveness and duration of immunity, vaccine coverage, concomitant use with other vaccinations being added to the infant schedule, vaccine supply and cost-benefit criteria. This paper discusses these issues, along with the potential challenges for communication to both health professionals and the public.
authors.affiliation: Toi Te Ora - Public Health, Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Tauranga, New Zealand. bjloring@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Belinda J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Loring
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Petousis-Harris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000276:immunology*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines