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Lubanga AF, Bwanali AN, Kangoma M, Matola Y, Moyo C, Kaonga B, Ssebibubbu S, Makole TJ, Kambili F, Chumbi GD, Munthali L, Mwale A, Kaphesi F, Simfukwe R, Mphepo M, Kapatsa T, Harawa G, Mpinganjira SL. Addressing the re-emergence and resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Africa: A health equity perspective. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2375081. [PMID: 38982713 PMCID: PMC11238914 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2375081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, with a tremendous impact in the prevention and control of diseases. However, the recent reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases calls for a need to evaluate current vaccination practices and disparities in vaccination between high-income countries and low-and-middle-income countries. There are massive deficits in vaccine availability and coverage in resource-constrained settings. Therefore, this perspective seeks to highlight the reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Africa within the lens of health equity and offer recommendations on how the continent should be prepared to deal with the myriad of its health systems challenges. Among the notable factors contributing to the reemergence, stand health inequities affecting vaccine availability and the dynamic vaccine hesitancy. Strengthening health systems and addressing health inequities could prove useful in halting the reemergence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Focus Lubanga
- Education and Research, Clinical Research Education and Management Services (CREAMS), Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Services, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Akim Nelson Bwanali
- Education and Research, Clinical Research Education and Management Services (CREAMS), Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Services, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Melina Kangoma
- Department of Clinical Services, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Yankho Matola
- Department of Clinical Services, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Chitemwa Moyo
- Department of Clinical Services, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Byenala Kaonga
- Department of Clinical Services, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Stuart Ssebibubbu
- Department of Evidence Generation, Afya na Haki Institute, Nakwero, Uganda
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tumaini John Makole
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Council of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Frank Kambili
- Education and Research, Clinical Research Education and Management Services (CREAMS), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Leonard Munthali
- Department of Clinical Services, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Atupele Mwale
- Department of Clinical Services, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Frank Kaphesi
- Education and Research, Clinical Research Education and Management Services (CREAMS), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Reuben Simfukwe
- Department of Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Mzati Mphepo
- Department of Clinical Services, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Thandizo Kapatsa
- Education and Research, Clinical Research Education and Management Services (CREAMS), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Gracian Harawa
- Antimicrobial Resistance Champion, Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM), Lilongwe, Malawi
- Society of Medical Doctors (SMD), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Samuel L Mpinganjira
- Department of Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES), Blantyre, Malawi
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Obeng-Kusi M, Martin J, Abraham I. The economic burden of Ebola virus disease: a review and recommendations for analysis. J Med Econ 2024; 27:309-323. [PMID: 38299454 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2313358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ebola virus disease (EVD) continues to be a major public health threat globally, particularly in the low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) of Africa. The social and economic burdens of EVD are substantial and have triggered extensive research into prevention and control. We aim to highlight the impact and economic implications, identify research gaps, and offer recommendations for future economic studies pertaining to EVD. METHOD We conducted a comprehensive librarian-led search in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, EconLit and Scopus for economic evaluations of EVD. After study selection and data extraction, findings on the impact and economics of EVD were synthesized using a narrative approach, while identifying gaps, and recommending critical areas for future EVD economic studies. RESULTS The economic evaluations focused on the burden of illness, vaccine cost-effectiveness, willingness-to-pay for a vaccine, EVD funding, and preparedness costs. The estimated economic impact of the 2014 EVD outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone across studies ranged from $30 billion to $50 billion. Facility construction and modification emerged as significant cost drivers for preparedness. The EVD vaccine demonstrated cost-effectiveness in a dynamic transmission model; resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of about $96 per additional disability adjusted life year averted. Individuals exhibited greater willingness to be vaccinated if it incurred no personal cost, with a minority willing to pay about $1 for the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS The severe impact of EVD puts pressure on governments and the international community for better resource utilization and re-allocation. Several technical and methodological issues related to economic evaluation of EVD remain to be addressed, especially for LMICs. We recommend conducting cost-of-sequelae and cost-of-distribution analyses in addition to adapting existing economic analytical methods to EVD. Characteristics of the affected regions should be considered to provide evidence-based economic plans and economic-evaluation of mitigations that enhance resource allocation for prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mavis Obeng-Kusi
- Center for Health Outcomes and PharmacoEconomic Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jennifer Martin
- Arizona Health Sciences Library, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ivo Abraham
- Center for Health Outcomes and PharmacoEconomic Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Ripperda T, Yu Y, Verma A, Klug E, Thurman M, Reid SP, Wang G. Improved Database Filtering Technology Enables More Efficient Ab Initio Design of Potent Peptides against Ebola Viruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15050521. [PMID: 35631348 PMCID: PMC9143221 DOI: 10.3390/ph15050521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid mutations of viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 require vaccine updates and the development of novel antiviral drugs. This article presents an improved database filtering technology for a more effective design of novel antiviral agents. Different from the previous approach, where the most probable parameters were obtained stepwise from the antimicrobial peptide database, we found it possible to accelerate the design process by deriving multiple parameters in a single step during the peptide amino acid analysis. The resulting peptide DFTavP1 displays the ability to inhibit Ebola virus. A deviation from the most probable peptide parameters reduces antiviral activity. The designed peptides appear to block viral entry. In addition, the amino acid signature provides a clue to peptide engineering to gain cell selectivity. Like human cathelicidin LL-37, our engineered peptide DDIP1 inhibits both Ebola and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. These peptides, with broad antiviral activity, may selectively disrupt viral envelopes and offer the lasting efficacy required to treat various RNA viruses, including their emerging mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - St Patrick Reid
- Correspondence: (S.P.R.); (G.W.); Tel.: +1-(402)-559-3644 (S.P.R.); +1-(402)-559-4176 (G.W.)
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Correspondence: (S.P.R.); (G.W.); Tel.: +1-(402)-559-3644 (S.P.R.); +1-(402)-559-4176 (G.W.)
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