POST 01375E: ACCURACY OF IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE DATA

POST 01375E: ACCURACY OF IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE DATA 18 JANUARY 2009 ****************************************** Stephen Lim et al in a study published in The Lancet (volume 372, issue 9655, pages 2031–2046, 13 December 2008) raise concerns about the tendency to over report when it comes to target and performance-oriented funding through initiatives like Universal Childhood Immunization (UCI) and Immunization Support Services (ISS). They caution that “An incentive to over-report progress, either intentionally or unintentionally, will always exist with performance-based payments;” and suggests that “to counteract this problem requires not only independent monitoring, but also a system that is based on rigorous, empirical measurements using the best scientific methods available.” Tracking progress towards universal childhood immunisation and the impact of global initiatives: a systematic analysis of three-dose diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis immunisation coverage: Stephen S Lim, David B Stein, Alexandra Charrow, Prof Christopher JL Murray. Responses to the study: 1. Global initiatives in universal childhood immunisation: David Bishai (The Lancet, 13 Dec. 2008) 2. Vaccine coverage and the GAVI Alliance Immunization Services Support initiative: Julian Lob-Levyt (The Lancet: 17 Jan. 2009) 3. Measurement of immunisation coverage; Tony Burton et al. (The Lancet, 17 Jan. 2009) 4. Measurement of immunisation coverage — Authors' reply: (The Lancet, 17 Jan. 2009) Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)