Abstract
Since routine meningococcal C conjugate vaccination was introduced into Canada in 2002, there have been a large regional variation in the routine programs, changes to the timing of the infant series in some provinces, and wide differences in catch-up programs. As immunization is viewed as a provincial responsibility, less attention has been paid to determining national coverage rates and the direct and indirect effects of the widely varying provincial/territorial vaccination programs on the nation as a whole. Canada’s disjointed regional immunization campaigns leave the population at risk of disease for an extended length of time. The United Kingdom has proven that with a pro-active approach to planning, coordination, and implementation of a national immunization program, excellent long-term control of invasive meningococcal disease in a large population could be achieved in as little as one year. A summation of the current meningococcal immunization strategies used in Canada and an estimate of overall vaccine coverage of children and youth is provided.
Keywords: Immunization, meningococcal C conjugate vaccine, coverage rate, herd immunity, Canada
Résumé
Depuis le lancement de l’immunisation systématique contre le méningocoque du groupe C par le vaccin conjugué au Canada en 2002, on observe d’importants écarts régionaux dans les programmes de vaccination systématique, des changements dans le calendrier vaccinal des nourrissons de certaines provinces et de grandes différences dans les programmes de rattrapage. L’immunisation étant de compétence provinciale, on a peu cherché à déterminer les taux de couverture nationaux et les effets directs et indirects des importants écarts dans les programmes de vaccination des provinces et des territoires sur l’ensemble du pays. Les campagnes de vaccination régionales disjointes du Canada exposent la population à la maladie sur une période prolongée. Au Royaume-Uni, on a prouvé qu’en abordant de façon proactive la planification, la coordination et la mise en œuvre d’un programme national d’immunisation, on peut obtenir en une seule année un excellent contrôle à long terme des méningococcies invasives dans une vaste population. Nous présentons une synthèse des stratégies d’immunisation contre le méningocoque en usage au Canada et une estimation de la couverture vaccinale globale des enfants et des adolescents.
Motsclés: immunisation, vaccin conjugué contre le méningocoque du groupe C, taux de couverture, immunité de groupe, Canada
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