Health Care Worker Preferences and Perspectives on Doses per Container for 2 Lyophilized Vaccines in Senegal, Vietnam, and Zambia

INTRODUCTION: Limited information exists on health care workers’ (HCWs) perceptions about use of multidose vaccine vials and their preferences about doses per container (DPC). We present findings from qualitative studies conducted in Senegal, Vietnam, and Zambia to explore HCWs’ behavior regarding opening vials and their perceptions and preferences for the number of doses in vials of BCG and measles-containing vaccine (MCV). Zambia and Senegal currently offer MCV in 10-dose vials and BCG in 20-dose vials; 10-dose vials are used for both vaccines in Vietnam. Unused doses in vials of these reconstituted vaccines must be discarded within 6 hours. METHODS: Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with frontline HCWs in Senegal, Vietnam, and Zambia. In Senegal and Vietnam, the KIIs were conducted as part of broader formative research; in Zambia, KIIs were conducted in control districts using 10-dose MCV vials only and in intervention districts that switched from 10- to 5-dose vials during the study. During analysis, themes common to all 3 countries were synthesized. Critical themes relevant to country contexts were also examined. RESULTS: HCWs in all 3 countries preferred containers with fewer doses for BCG and MCV to reduce wastage and increase the likelihood of vaccinating every eligible child. HCWs in Senegal and HCWs using 10-dose vials in Zambia reported sending unvaccinated children away because not enough children were present to warrant opening a new vial. In Vietnam, where sessions are typically held monthly, and in Zambia when the 5-dose vials were used, almost all HCWs reported opening a vial of MCV for even 1 child. DISCUSSION: HCWs prefer vials with fewer DPC. Their concerns about balancing coverage and wastage influence their decisions to vaccinate every eligible child; and their perspectives are crucial to ensuring that all target populations are reached with vaccines in a timely manner.