Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics

Advances and Implementation Challenges in Vaccine Confidence, Access, and Immunization Programs in LMICs of the Global South

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics is pleased to welcome you to submit your research to the Article Collection "Advances and Implementation Challenges in Vaccine Confidence, Access, and Immunization Programs in LMICs of the Global South".

Vaccination programs continue to be one of the most impactful public health interventions, yet many countries in the Global South face persistent and emerging barriers that threaten recent gains. Disruptions in routine immunization, widening immunity gaps, and fluctuating levels of vaccine confidence are reshaping the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases. These challenges coincide with a period of rapid scientific and technological progress: the introduction of long-acting monoclonal antibodies for RSV prevention, the growing use of maternal vaccination strategies combined with newborn protection, and the expansion of mixed immunization approaches. At the same time, misinformation, declining trust in health authorities, structural inequities, and variable access to services continue to affect vaccine uptake and program effectiveness. Understanding how these dynamics interact across diverse settings is essential to strengthening immunization systems globally.

The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in several regions—including the Americas, which recently lost its measles elimination status—highlights the urgency of addressing gaps in coverage, confidence, and health-system resilience. Many low- and middle-income countries face additional pressures related to limited resources, competing priorities, and sociopolitical instability, which compound disruptions in vaccine delivery. At the same time, significant opportunities have emerged: digital platforms, behavioral and social insights, enhanced surveillance tools, and artificial intelligence applications are increasingly used to support forecasting, demand generation, and decision-making. However, their integration requires context-sensitive implementation, ethical considerations, and strong governance. Bringing together diverse perspectives from the Global South is essential to inform equitable policies and accelerate progress toward stronger, more adaptive immunization programs.

This Article Collection invites submissions examining innovations, challenges, and implementation pathways related to immunization programs in the Global South. Relevant themes include:

1. Vaccine confidence, hesitancy, and behavioral and social determinants;
2. Access and coverage gaps in routine and newly introduced vaccines;
3. Implementation of long-acting monoclonal antibodies for RSV and maternal–newborn immunization strategies;
4. Digital health, surveillance modernization, and AI-assisted tools for program optimization;
5. Health-system readiness, financing, governance, and policy innovations; and
6. Lessons learned from disease resurgence, emergency response, and immunization recovery strategies.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics welcomes original research, reviews, perspectives, implementation science studies, and short communications that contribute to understanding and strengthening immunization systems in low- and middle-income countries.

Keywords: Vaccine confidence; Immunization programs; Global South; Implementation science; Vaccines access

Meet the Guest Advisors

Dr. Manuel Colomé-Hidalgo, MD, PhD, is an epidemiologist and Associate Editor of Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. He serves as Professor of Public Health at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo and leads the Epidemiology Service at the Dr. Hugo Mendoza Pediatric Hospital. His work focuses on infectious disease epidemiology, vaccine-preventable diseases, early warning systems, and implementation research in low- and middle-income settings. He also directs the Dominican Republic hub of the AI4PEP Network, strengthening the integration of responsible AI into public health preparedness.

Dr. María Luisa Ávila-Agüero is a Pediatric Infectious Diseases specialist and former Minister of Health of Costa Rica (2006–2011). Head of the Infectious Diseases Service at the National Children’s Hospital “Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera” and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Costa Rica, where she also directs the Pediatric Infectious Diseases postgraduate program. Coordinator of the Regional Pneumococcal Disease Study Group (GREEN–SLIPE), member of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Council, and affiliated researcher at Yale University’s Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis.

Dr. José Brea del Castillo is a pediatrician and vaccinologist, President of the Dominican Society of Vaccinology and President of the Latin American Society of Vaccinology. Former President of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE) and the Dominican Society of Pediatrics. Member of the Immunization Committee of the International Pediatric Association (IPA) and Professor at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC). Widely recognized for regional leadership in immunization policy and vaccine advocacy.

Dr. Roberto Debbag is a pediatrician and infectious disease specialist with extensive regional leadership in vaccinology and pediatric infectious diseases. Former President of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE, 2021–2023), Vice President of the Latin American Society of Vaccinology, and Board member of the World Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (WSPID). Director of the Intensive Training Program in Vaccinology and Immunization Policies (PEIVAP) and active contributor to science communication in health policy.

The Guest Advisors declare no conflicts of interest.