Introduction and implementation of new vaccines: Field Guide

INTRODUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW VACCINES • 11
tion program should be to solve the current problems before introducing new vaccines.
PAHO has developed methodologies for evaluating immunization programs in the
Region in order to measure their performance and capacity to introduce a new vaccine.
They include a series of criteria that help gauge program capacity (Annex 2).
This guide includes six technical elements with indicators and key questions that will
help determine whether the program is prepared to introduce the new vaccine,
based on its level of performance (Annex 2).
2.4 Decision-making
After analyzing political, technical, planning, and feasibility factors, and reviewing
the results, national immunization program managers will have sufficient elements
to support a preliminary technical decision. This decision should be reached by consensus
with the National Committee on Immunization Practices (NCIP), in order to
analyze all consequences of potential interventions and, consequently, recommend
to political authorities and decision-makers the most effective control measure
against the disease to be prevented. This analysis will conclude in two possible decisions:
recommend introduction of a new vaccine or postpone introduction.
The NCIPs should be considered contributors to the evaluation process before
vaccine introduction and to the decision to introduce it. Its members are experts
from the scientific community, universities, and Social Security, representatives of
international health organizations such as PAHO, and national immunization program
managers.