Josephine van Dongen

Chapter 7 160 Abstract Background : Prior to introduction of a rotavirus vaccination program in the Netherlands, a pilot was conducted in 13 hospitals to trial the implementation process, assess feasibility and vaccine coverage. A targeted rotavirus vaccination program for high-risk infants was scheduled to be introduced in 2020. Methods: Between May 2016 and October 2017 pediatric and neonatal depar tments in 13 hospitals implemented targeted rotavirus vaccination for medical risk infants, including those with prematurity, low bir th weight and/or a congenital disorder. Rotavirus vaccination was available as standard care without charge. Vaccination status of all eligible infants was documented and feasibility was evaluated based on surveys and in-depth interviews. Results : Overall mean vaccine coverage among eligible medical risk infants was 52.3% (95%CI 50.8;53.7%) and ranged between 24.4% (95%CI 21.3;27.5%) and 83.4% (95%CI 79.9;87.0%) per site and between 22.9% (95%CI 18.7;27.1%) and 58.3% (95%CI 56.3;60.4%) per type of medical risk condition. Only 34.1-38.5% of surveyed parents were informed of the vaccine as par t of standard care. In-depth interviews revealed infant, healthcare and vaccine related barriers and facilitators of this implementation program. Conclusion : Implementation of a hospital-based targeted rotavirus vaccination program, resulted in suboptimal vaccine coverage among high-risk infants and was not introduced in 2020. Involvement of the national immunization program existing structure would be preferable in order to reach a substantial larger proportion of the risk-groups.