title: Vaccine preventable diseases: time to re-examine global surveillance data?
abstract: While data driven estimates of the global burden of disease for some vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) are limited, aggregate case numbers of VPDs are reported annually by country in the Joint Reporting Form (JRF). We examined pertussis surveillance data in the JRF, and vaccine coverage estimates, in comparison to measles, which is a priority disease for elimination and eradication efforts and is supported by the WHO Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network. In 2012, highest pertussis case numbers and incidence were reported from high income countries with high vaccine coverage, discordant with countries that had low vaccine coverage. Use of laboratory diagnostics for pertussis cases varied among countries. In contrast, highest reported numbers of measles cases and incidences tended to occur in low income countries. These observations imply poor quality global surveillance data for some VPDs, limiting capacity for monitoring global epidemiology or making vaccination policy decisions. Efforts are needed to improve the availability of quality surveillance data for all VPDs.
authors.affiliation: Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address: aho3@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: MacNeil
authors.affiliation: Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Vance
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cherian
mesh_terms: D018563:Disease Notification; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Data; Measles; Pertussis; Surveillance; Vaccine preventable disease