Innovation and immunization program management: traceability and quality in Latin America and the Caribbean, laying the groundwork for a regional action plan

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2022 Aug;21(8):1023-1028. doi: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2077195. Epub 2022 May 18.

Abstract

Introduction: The Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE by its Spanish acronyms) is working to understand the current situation, gaps, and opportunities for traceability of the quality vaccination process in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Areas covered: On September 24th and 25th, a Latin American forum of experts in immunization programs was held through the Zoom platform; the topics discussed included: computerized systems for recording immunizations, vaccination programs traceability, challenges, and information systems for the integrated management of vaccination.

Expert opinion: Latin American countries have transitioned from having a nominal registration system to a nominal tracking system, with many of them not migrating their platforms to new technologies; therefore, the low-quality data, fragmented databases, and slow information traffic present a challenge that must be taken on.

Keywords: COVID-19; Computerized systems; Latin America; immunization programs; traceability.

MeSH terms

  • Caribbean Region
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Immunization Programs*
  • Latin America
  • Vaccination*