Surveillance is the systematic and continuous process of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination for use in planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice activities.
For the epidemiological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases targeted for elimination and eradication, PAHO developed the Polio Eradication Surveillance System (PESS) and later, the Measles Elimination Surveillance System (MESS). In order to integrate systems, in 2009, PAHO made available to countries the Integrated Surveillance Information System (ISIS) for polio, measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome; the transition to ISIS has been gradual. Some countries do not use ISIS in favor of using their own IT tools; for these countries, PAHO is developing data bridges to import information from national tools or databases into ISIS. Based on the successes of the program and following the indications of the countries, PAHO is building a new surveillance information system that will help the countries to improve their surveillance.
Additionally, to provide a standardized computerized tool for the countries in the Region that are part of the rotavirus and invasive pneumonia and meningitis bacterial disease surveillance network (sentinel hospital-based surveillance), a New Vaccines Surveillance System (VINUVA) was created in 2011, in 2018 this system was replaced by VINUVA aggregate. “VINUVA Agregado” can be accessed by registered users at: VINUVA Aggregate.
Since 2015, an online case-based surveillance system for rotavirus and invasive pneumonia and meningitis bacterial infections is available for sentinel hospitals, national and reference laboratories that belong to the regional and global networks. Registered users can access the database at: VINUVA Cases.
Related publications
- Neonatal tetanus elimination: fleld guide; 2005
- Poliomielitis erradication: field guide; 2005 (in spanish)
- Control of Yellow Fever: field Guide; 2005
- Epidemiological surveillance of diarrhea caused by rotavirus: field guide; 2007 (in spanish)
- Measles elimination: field guide; 2007 (in spanish)
- Introduction and implementation of new vaccines: field guide; 2009 (in spanish)
- Surveillance of bacterial pneumonias and meningitis in children under 5 years of age. Field guide; 2nd ed., 2019 (in spanish)
- Control of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type b infection and hepatitis B: field guide; 2006 (in spanish)
