Vaccination legislation in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Governments have the authority and responsibility to ensure vaccination for all citizens. The development of vaccination legislation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) parallels the emergence of sustainable, relatively autonomous, and effective national immunization programs. We reviewed vaccination legislation and related legal documents from LAC countries (excluding Canada, Puerto Rico, the United States, and the US Virgin Islands), and described and assessed vaccination legislation provisions. Twenty-seven of the 44 countries and territories in the Region have proposed or enacted vaccination legislation. Provisions vary substantially, but legal frameworks generally protect the sustainability of the immunization program, the individual's right to immunization, and the state's responsibility to provide it as a public good. Of the legislation from countries and territories included in the analysis, 44 per cent protects a budget line for vaccines, 96 per cent mandates immunization, 63 per cent declares immunization a public good, and 78 per cent explicitly defines the national vaccine schedule. We looked for associations between vaccination legislation in LAC and national immunization program performance and financing, and conclude with lessons for governments seeking to craft or enhance vaccination legislation.

Can investments in health systems strategies lead to changes in immunization coverage?

“…Of these, 44% ensure a budget line for vaccines, nearly all of them mandate vaccination and more than three-fourths define the national vaccination schedule. Vaccination legislation may be related to immunization program performance, by assuring sustainable financing and specifying target populations [91].…”

Prevalence of Inadequate Immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella in MLB and NBA Athletes

“…This is particularly relevant to the many MLB athletes from Latin America and the Caribbean, where more than 50% of countries in the region have robust mandatory immunization programs in place. 25 Notably, this does not include the United States, where currently childhood vaccination is not universally required and thus may decrease rates of immunity compared with many foreign countries.…”

Lessons learned from the development of a new methodology to assess missed opportunities for vaccination in Latin America and the Caribbean

“…Thirty-six years later, the Region’s accomplishments include the elimination of polio, measles, and rubella and drastic reductions in morbidity and mortality due to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) [ 1 - 3 ]. Immunization programs in LAC are generally sustainable, autonomous, and among the world leaders in introducing new vaccines and passing legislation that protects immunization as a public good [ 4 , 5 ].…”