Introduction

Enhancing evidence-based capacity to make informed policy decisions on the introduction of new vaccines in the Americas: PAHO's ProVac Initiative

Introduction

New life-saving vaccines being introduced, such as Pneumococcal, Rotavirus, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Influenza, have significantly higher prices than previous vaccines. As health sector budgets grow slowly, resources have to be allocated more prudently and consider competing options. Decision makers in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) increasingly require economic analysis to support decision-making for new vaccines, in addition to demographic, epidemiologic, and management data. Making evidence-based vaccine introduction decisions now requires competencies beyond those traditionally found in many National Immunization Programs. The ProVac Initiative, launched with the September 2006 workshop, provides technical cooperation and strengthens national capacity to make evidence-based, informed decisions in the context of the introduction of new vaccines.