Immunization governance: Mandatory immunization in 28 Global NITAG Network countries

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Immunization Policy
• Global Health

Background:

• International trends show increasing support for mandatory immunization programs.
• Limited academic research exists on the global landscape and variations in mandatory immunization policies.
• Understanding these policies is crucial for public health strategies and vaccine uptake.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the existence and scope of mandatory immunization policies in 28 countries within the Global NITAG Network (GNN).
• To compare variations in required immunizations, affected populations, exemption criteria, and non-compliance penalties.
• To categorize international mandatory immunization policies on a spectrum from narrow to broad scope.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of mandatory immunization policies across 28 Global NITAG Network (GNN) countries.
• Inclusion of countries representing all WHO regions and World Bank income classifications.
• Categorization of policies based on scope, requirements, exemptions, and penalties.

Main Results:

• Mandatory immunization programs or elements are prevalent internationally.
• Significant jurisdictional variations exist regarding specific vaccines, target populations, exemption grounds, and penalties.
• Loose associations were observed between policy scope and geographical region or income level.

Conclusions:

• Mandatory immunization policies are a common but highly variable public health tool worldwide.
• The observed diversity necessitates tailored approaches to policy implementation and evaluation.
• Further research can refine the understanding of factors influencing mandatory immunization scope and effectiveness.