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Diphtheria vaccine: WHO position paper, August 2017 - Recommendations
1World Health Organization, Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, 20 Ave Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland.
Vaccine
|August 21, 2017
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) updated its diphtheria vaccine recommendations in 2017, providing guidance on optimal dosing and scheduling for routine childhood immunizations. This paper replaces the 2006 guidance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Diphtheria remains a significant public health concern globally.
- Previous WHO diphtheria vaccine recommendations were published in 2006.
- Recent scientific evidence on diphtheria and its prevention has emerged.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the World Health Organization's (WHO) updated recommendations for diphtheria vaccine use.
- To provide guidance on optimal diphtheria vaccination schedules, including number of doses and timing.
- To offer advice on aligning diphtheria vaccination with other routine childhood immunizations, especially combination vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific evidence on diphtheria and diphtheria vaccines.
- Discussion and deliberation by the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).
- Synthesis of evidence to formulate updated recommendations.
Main Results:
- Revised recommendations on the optimal number of diphtheria vaccine doses.
- Updated guidance on the timing of diphtheria vaccination within immunization schedules.
- Recommendations for integrating diphtheria vaccination with other routine childhood vaccines.
Conclusions:
- The 2017 WHO position paper provides current guidance on diphtheria vaccination strategies.
- Updated recommendations aim to optimize protection against diphtheria in children.
- Alignment of vaccination schedules is crucial for effective public health immunization programs.