Eight Good Reasons for Careful Monitoring and Evaluation of the Vaccine Campaign against COVID-19: Lessons Learned through the Lombardy Experience for Dealing with Next Challenges

Giovanni Corrao, Guido Bertolaso, Giovanni Pavesi and Letizia Moratti
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Giovanni Corrao: National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Guido Bertolaso: Vaccination Campaign Management, Lombardy Region, 20124 Milan, Italy
Giovanni Pavesi: General Directorate of Welfare Department, Lombardy Region, 20124 Milan, Italy
Letizia Moratti: Welfare Councillor, Lombardy Region, 20124 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: Background: Using the knowledge gained during the first eleven months of the vaccine campaign in Lombardy, Italy, we provide an overview of the benefits of using reliable, complete, and rapidly available observational data to monitor the progress of the vaccine strategy. Methods: A population-based platform was implemented by linking four registries reporting individual data on: (i) date, type, and dose of vaccine dispensed; (ii) SARS-CoV-2 infections and hospital admissions and deaths due to COVID-19; (iii) inpatient diagnoses and outpatient services supplied by the Regional Health Services (RHS); and the (iv) health registry reporting and updating data on patient status. Background, methods, findings, and implications of eight COVID-19 relevant questions are reported. Results: Before starting the vaccine campaign, we identified high-risk individuals who need to be prioritized. During the vaccine campaign, we: (i) monitored the trend in the speed of the vaccine campaign progression and the number of prevented clinical outcomes; (ii) verified that available vaccines work in real-life, assessed their effectiveness-harm profile, and measured their reduced effectiveness against the delta variant. Finally, we studied the reduced effectiveness of the vaccine over time and identified risk factors of post-vaccine infection and severe illness. Conclusions: The correct use of rapidly available observational data of good quality and completeness generates reliable evidence to promptly inform patients and policymakers.

Keywords: effectiveness; impact; natural experiment; observational studies; protection persistence; risk factors; safety; vaccine campaign; vaccine platform; variant of concern; vulnerability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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