From Google Scholar & other sources: Selected Journal Articles, Newsletters, Dissertations, Theses, Commentary

MIT – Thesis
Estimating network structure and propagation dynamics for an infectious disease: towards effective vaccine allocation
Kim, Louis Y. (Louis Yongchul)
Citable URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/91397
Department: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Operations Research Center.
Date Issued: 2014
Abstract:
In the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak, such as the 2009-2010 H1N1 “Swine Flu” episode, it is crucial to effectively allocate limited resources in order to minimize the casualties. Design of effective resource allocation strategies requires good understanding of the underlying contact network and of the propagation dynamics. In this thesis we develop a parameter estimation method that learns the network structure, among a family of graphs, and disease dynamics from the recorded infection curve, assuming that the disease dynamics follow an SIR process. We apply the method to data collected during the 2009-2010 H1N1 epidemic and show that the best-fit model, among a scale-free network and a small-world network, indicates the scale-free network. Given the knowledge of the network structure we evaluate different vaccination strategies. As a benchmark, we allow the vaccination decisions to depend on the state of the epidemic and we show that random vaccination (which is the current practice), does not efficiently halt the spread of influenza. Instead, we propose vaccine allocation strategies that exploit the underlying network structure and provide a reduction in the number of infections by over 6 times compared to the current practice. In addition, more realistic scenario involves random encounters between agents. To test this hypothesis, we introduced a dynamic network formation on top of the static network model. We apply the estimation method to the dynamic network model and show a small improvement in estimating the infection dynamics of the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza.
The Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 55, Issue 5, p595-720 November 2014
http://www.jahonline.org/current
Article in Press
A Randomized Intervention of Reminder Letter for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Series Completion
Chun Chao, Ph.D., Melissa Preciado, M.S., Jeff Slezak, M.S., Lanfang Xu, M.S.
Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, California
Received: May 22, 2014; Accepted: August 15, 2014; Published Online: November 01, 2014
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.08.014
Abstract
Purpose
Completion rate for the three-dose series of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has generally been low. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a reminder letter intervention on HPV vaccine three-dose series completion.
Methods
Female members of Kaiser Permanente Southern California Health Plan who received at least one dose, but not more than two doses, of the HPV vaccine by February 13, 2013, and who were between ages 9 and 26 years at the time of first HPV vaccination were included. Eighty percent of these females were randomized to receive the reminder letter, and 20% were randomized to receive standard of care (control). The reminder letters were mailed quarterly to those who had not completed the series. The proportion of series completion at the end of the 12-month evaluation period was compared using chi-square test.
Results
A total of 9,760 females were included in the intervention group and 2,445 in the control group. HPV vaccine series completion was 56.4% in the intervention group and 46.6% in the control groups (p < .001). The effect of the intervention appeared to be stronger in girls aged 9–17 years compared with young women aged 18–26 years at the first dose and in blacks compared with whites.
Conclusions
Reminder letters scheduled quarterly were effective to enhance HPV vaccine series completion among those who initiated the vaccine. However, a large gap in series completion remained despite the intervention. Future studies should address other barriers to series completion, including those at the providers and the health care system level.
Special Focus Newsletters
RotaFlash November 7, 2014
Ethiopia perseveres to deliver rotavirus vaccines to all regions
Government, NGOs, religious leaders, and communities collaborate to overcome challenges in first year of rollout
November 7, 2014, marks one year since Ethiopia’s national launch of rotavirus vaccines. In the past year, Ethiopia has shown remarkable commitment to immunization through simultaneously introducing vaccines against rotavirus and Meningitis A while also containing a polio outbreak in the eastern Somali region. With the August 2014 launch of rotavirus vaccines in the Somali region, Ethiopia has delivered these lifesaving interventions to all regions of the country. Although much work remains to be done, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners continue to persevere for access and delivery of vaccines through innovative means.
Somali region of Ethiopia introduces rotavirus vaccines following polio outbreak

At the time of the national launch of rotavirus vaccines in November 2013, the Ethiopian government was in the midst of containing a polio outbreak that had spread from neighboring countries into the Somali region of Ethiopia. This had been the first wild poliovirus case in Ethiopia since 2008, and the MoH, with the help of partners including UNICEF and WHO, responded quickly to conduct polio vaccination campaigns. With many health workers and resources in the Somali region occupied with these campaigns, the MoH decided in consultation with the Somali Regional Health Bureau and MoH immunization partners that it was necessary to postpone the region’s introduction of rotavirus vaccines to enable full focus on the polio outbreak…