| Policies and target groups |
Seasonal influenza vaccination has been targeting some high-risk groups since 2002. In 2012, influenza vaccination was included in the national immunization schedule with additional groups targeted, including:
-
•
HWs
-
•
Persons aged ≥65 years
-
•
Persons with chronic diseases
-
•
Pregnant women
-
•
Children aged 6 to 35 months
-
•
Security, life support and public services staff
|
The country has a national plan for the prevention and control of influenza and SARI. The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group issued additional seasonal influenza vaccine recommendations in 2017.The following groups are targeted for immunization:
-
•
HWs (since 2006)
-
•
Haj pilgrims (since 2009)
-
•
Persons with diabetes and other chronic diseases (since 2014)
-
•
Persons aged ≥ 65 years (in 2014 and 2016, as part of a US CDC-sponsored pilot program)
|
The country has a National Strategic Plan for Influenza Preparedness.
The seasonal influenza vaccine program targets the following groups:
-
•
HWs and poultry cullers (since 2005)
-
•
Persons aged ≥65 years (since 2008)
-
•
Persons with chronic diseases (since 2008)
-
•
Pregnant women (since 2008)
-
•
Children 6 to 23 months (since 2009)
|
| Administrative vaccination coverage |
-
•
HWs: 88% (2016)
-
•
Pregnant women: 73% (2016)
-
•
Persons aged ≥ 65 years: 76% (2016)
-
•
Persons with chronic diseases: 77% (2016)
-
•
Children 6 to 35 months: 74% (2016)
|
-
•
HWs: 54% (2016)
-
•
Pregnant women: 1% (2016)
-
•
Persons with diabetes: 76% (2016)
-
•
Administrative coverage data for other target groups are not available.
|
-
•
HWs: >60% (2016)
-
•
Pregnant women: 4% (2016)
-
•
Persons aged ≥ 65 years: 20% (2016)
-
•
Persons with chronic diseases: 14% (2016)
-
•
Children 6 to 23 months: 2% (2015)
|
| Service delivery |
-
•
There is a good vaccine delivery infrastructure with rigorous vaccine and cold chain management.
-
•
The vaccine distribution system is flexible and appropriate.
-
•
Outreach vaccination services are offered for businesses, schools and kindergartens.
-
•
Vaccine wastage is reportedly low (<5%).
|
-
•
The Department of Population and Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control within the Ministry of Health is responsible for implementing influenza and other vaccination programs.
-
•
Vaccination is also provided in the private sector with procurement through wholesale distributors and costs reimbursed by the National Health Insurance.
-
•
There are no reported vaccine shortages, partly due to low demand in target groups other than persons with diabetes.
-
•
Vaccine wastage is reportedly low (<5%).
|
-
•
There is a sustainable vaccine delivery system for all target groups with well managed cold chain and logistics including a vendor managed inventory system.
-
•
Influenza vaccination of pregnant women in ANC services with tetanus vaccination is being piloted.
-
•
The procurement of vaccines is done outside of the MoPH and calculated on the basis of 25% of the at-risk population. Vaccine supply is thus at times insufficient to meet demand, especially in the elderly.
-
•
Vaccine wastage is reportedly low (<5%).
|
| Data recording Surveillance |
-
•
Electronic databases for recording and reporting immunizations are in place in Minsk City, with paper-based systems in other places.
-
•
Data from policlinics and businesses are entered into the same system.
-
•
Coverage is monitored at all levels, sometimes based on very small denominators.
-
•
Influenza surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) is ongoing.
-
•
An adverse events following immunization (AEFI) reporting system is in place. No severe AEFI for influenza vaccines were reported in the last 3 years.
|
-
•
There are paper-based recording and electronic reporting systems. No reports are received from the private sector.
-
•
Clinical and virological surveillance is in place, linked to the WHO influenza network, but halted in 2011 due to lack of funds and resumed in 2014.
-
•
An AEFI reporting system is in place in 25% of health facilities, 3 AEFI were reported for influenza vaccine in 2014, none in other years.
|
-
•
Paper-based recording and electronic data recording is performed as part of the 43 folders health management information system.
-
•
Surveillance for influenza comprises ILI and SARI; a large amount of non-sentinel viral circulation data is used for situational awareness and alerts.
-
•
An AEFI reporting system is in place, with no severe AEFI reported for influenza vaccine in the last 4 years.
|
| Human resource capacity |
|
|
-
•
Provincial teams and vaccinators are experienced with influenza vaccination.
-
•
Integrated supervision is in place.
-
•
HWs performing vaccination are generally well-trained and motivated (varying by province).
-
•
However, general health personnel is not well-educated on the safety and benefits of influenza vaccination.
|
| Community acceptance |
-
•
There is good acceptance of the vaccine in all target groups.
-
•
There is a general trust and positive attitude towards the health system and HWs.
-
•
The political leadership is advocating for influenza vaccination.
-
•
HWs are assigned to focus on communications for specific high-risk groups.
-
•
Clinic and neighbourhood nurses remind clients of the need for influenza vaccination, doctors encourage vaccination during home visits.
|
-
•
There is little awareness of the threat of influenza disease in the general population.
-
•
HWs are generally trusted when advising on child vaccination.
-
•
Substantial hesitancy exists and there are concerns about vaccination of pregnant women.
-
•
Circulating rumours and negative media coverage led to postponement of influenza vaccination in 2017 and 2018.
|
-
•
There is good acceptance in the elderly, and in persons with chronic diseases and HWs.
-
•
HWs are well trusted and a main influence in vaccine acceptance.
-
•
HWs use varying communication channels for sharing knowledge and information with the public, including through social networks.
-
•
Staff are assigned to focus on communications at the district level.
|
| Other |
|
|
|
