Generating evidence for Guatemalan decision-makers about the introduction of new vaccines in the public health sector

Background: In the last decade several vaccines have been developed, and others are in the process of being developed. Every year, new safe and effective vaccines are authorized and incorporated into the market, existing ones are being improved and new combinations of the same ones are being developed. This progress promises numerous vaccines and the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) of Guatemala is confronted with the challenge of incorporating new vaccines into the vaccination schedule. Guatemala has historically been one of the last countries in the region of the Americas to introduce what up until now have been the latest vaccines.

Objectives: To provide epidemiological, economic and programmatic information to decision-makers, the media and general public, in order to support the decision making process in Guatemala in regards to new vaccine preventable diseases.

Methods: a) Estimation of disease burden, b) economic analysis, c) evaluation of the cold chain storage capacity, and d) evaluation of vaccination network services and potential results from new vaccine introduction experiences.

Results: Rotavirus diarrhea and seasonal influenza are major public health problems in Guatemala. The introduction of these vaccines as part of the national immunization schedule will prove to be a successful cost-benefit investment. Preliminary data confirms the high burden of cervical cancer. Increasing the cold chain capacity of the public health system, before the introduction of any new vaccine, is vital to the success of any new vaccine.

Conclusions: There is evidence available to Guatemalan decision-makers for their consideration in introducing new vaccines.