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Vaccination Coverage (vaccination + coverage)
Selected AbstractsDecline in hepatitis B infection observed after 11 years of regional vaccination among Danish drug usersJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 10 2010B.K. Mössner Abstract The aims of this study were to determine the current prevalence of viral hepatitis and HIV among drug users, and to compare this prevalence with previous findings in the same geographical region. Cross-sectional surveys of drug users attending treatment centers on the island of Funen with approximately 500,000 inhabitants were administered in 1996 and 2007. The 2007 prevalence estimates were: anti-HBc 50.2%, HBsAg 0.9%, anti-HCV 66.8%, HCV-RNA 40%, and anti-HIV 1.1%. The corresponding 1996 prevalence values were: anti-HBc 70% (P,<,0.0001), HBsAg 9.8% (P,<,0.0001), anti-HCV 82.8% (P,<,0.0001), HCV-RNA 56.3% (P,=,0.002), and anti-HIV 1% (P,=,1). The 2007 prevalence of viral hepatitis decreased due to the increasing proportion of non-injectors. Among injectors, the prevalence remained unchanged except for a significant decrease in HBsAg. The 2007 prevalence of ongoing HBV infection among infected (HBsAg/anti-HBc proportion) was the lowest that to our knowledge has been reported among drug-users. Vaccination coverage among susceptible persons tested in 2007 was 24%, compared to 0.7% in 1996. Therefore, despite an unchanged prevalence of anti-HBc among injecting drug users, a highly significant drop in HBsAg prevalence was seen during the last decade. This observation may be linked causally to an increase in hepatitis B vaccination of the susceptible population. Our findings suggest that even incomplete vaccination, without persistent protective anti-HBs levels, may induce an immune memory sufficient to prevent chronic infection upon transmission. J. Med. Virol. 82:1635,1639, 2010. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Vaccination coverage of Greek paediatric healthcare workers against seasonal and A/H1N1 influenzaACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2010IN Mammas No abstract is available for this article. [source] VACCINATION, WITHIN-HOST DYNAMICS, AND VIRULENCE EVOLUTIONEVOLUTION, Issue 1 2006Jean-Baptiste André Abstract We explore the potential consequences of vaccination on parasite epidemiology and evolution. Our model combines a microscopic (within-host dynamics) and a macroscopic (epidemiological dynamics) description of the interaction between the parasite and its host. This approach allows relevant epidemiological traits such as parasite transmission, parasite virulence, and host recovery to emerge from a mechanistic model of acute infection describing the interaction between the parasite and the host immune system. We model the effect of a vaccine as an activator of immunity enhancing the replication rate of lymphocytes, their initial density at infection's initiation, their efficacy to kill the parasite, or their activation delay after infection. We analyze the evolution of the replication rate of parasites and show that vaccination may promote the evolution of faster replicating and, consequently, more virulent strains. We also show that intermediate vaccination coverage may lead to the coexistence of two different parasite strategies (a low-virulence strain adapted to naive hosts, and a high-virulence strain, more generalist, adapted to both naive and vaccinated hosts). We discuss the consequences of various vaccination strategies under different epidemiological situations using several distinct measures to evaluate the cost induced by the parasite on individuals and entire host populations. [source] Prevalence of high antibody titers of pertussis in Turkey: reflection of circulating microorganism and a threat to infantsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2007Berrin Esen Abstract Acute pertussis infection among adults can cause its transmission to the larger population, especially to infants and young children, who can develop severe disease. In order to determine an age-dependent pertussis immune response, anti-pertussis toxin (PT) antibody was detected by the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in serum samples from 2,085 healthy subjects ranging in age from 6 months to ,60 years. Also included in the evaluation were responses to a questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination, and infection history. Titers of 50,99 ELISA units (EU)/mL and of ,100,EU/mL were accepted as indicative for recent exposure or infection. In addition, 30,EU/mL was estimated to be a sufficient titer in women of childbearing age to protect their newborns until administration of their first dose of pertussis vaccine. After the age of 4,5 years, presence of high-titered antibodies that increase with age might be a reflection of circulating infection and indicate the magnitude of the threat to infants. According to the questionnaires, in the groups younger than 15 years old, three to four doses of diphtheria toxoid-whole cell pertussis-tetanus toxoid (DwPT) were administered in 47.2 to 77.4%, 91.2 to 100.0%, and 83.5 to 100.0% of participants in Diyarbakir, Samsun, and Antalya, respectively. In addition, up to half of the expectant mothers we studied lacked a sufficient level of estimated antibody titers. To protect infants from life-threatening pertussis infection, improving vaccination coverage to ensure herd immunity and uniformly establishing coverage throughout the country are essential. Furthermore, revaccination with acellular vaccine for schoolchildren as well as for the households of pregnant women is recommended. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:154,161, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Did globalisation affect health status?JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Issue 8 2009A simulation exercise Abstract The last two decades of the 20th century recorded a slowdown in the pace of progress of life expectancy at birth in most developing and transitional regions. The paper explores the causes of such trend on the basis of existing mortality theories. The results obtained through an eclectic econometric model confirm the negative impact of the 1980,2000 trends in the main determinants of health, such as rising inequality and volatility, declining health expenditure, lower vaccination coverage, slowly improving female literacy and so on. Finally, the paper simulates the level of LEB that would have been achieved in 10 regions of the world if the above determinants of health had continued developing over 1980,2000 as they did over 1960,1980. The results indicate that in seven of such regions (including China and India) in 2000 LEB would have been higher than actually observed. In this regard, the paper raises some doubts about the way globalisation has taken place and the way public policy oriented it. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A among Greek children indicates that the virus is still prevalent: Implications for universal vaccinationJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2009A. Kyrka Abstract A national cross-sectional seroprevalence survey was conducted in order to evaluate the current seroepidemiology of hepatitis A among 1,383 children, aged 0,14 years, residing in Greece. Stratification of the study population was conducted according to age and area of residence. Sera from study participants were tested for the presence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies. Immigrant children, as well as children residing in rural areas, had lower immunization rates. Among unvaccinated children, the seroprevalence rate of anti-HAV was 17.1%. Nationality was shown to have a marginally significant effect since non-immunized immigrant children had a higher seroprevalence rate (22.4% vs. 15.9%, OR,=,1.52, P,=,0.064). Significant differences between geographic areas for both vaccination coverage and natural immunity were observed. The study findings indicate that hepatitis A is prevalent in Greece and therefore universal infant hepatitis A immunization should be implemented. J. Med. Virol. 81:582,587, 2009 © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Immunisation practices in infants born prematurely: Neonatologists' survey and clinical auditJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 10 2009Nigel W Crawford Aim: To determine Australian neonatologists' recommendations for the immunisation of ex-preterm infants and compare their actual immunisation status with recommended Australian guidelines. Methods: A self-administered nine-part questionnaire of current immunisation practices was sent to all Neonatologists in Australia (2006). A complementary retrospective immunisation audit was conducted in two tertiary neonatal units in Melbourne. Hospital records and the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) were reviewed; consenting parents were interviewed and primary care physicians' vaccination records were requested. A random sample of preterm infants born between July 2003 and June 2005 at <32 weeks' gestation were selected. Results: (i) Neonatologists Survey: The response rate was 68% and the majority of neonatologists (89%) were aware of the current guidelines, but adherence to them varied from 43% to 79%. One-fifth of neonatologists personally do not receive annual influenza vaccination; and (ii) Immunisation Audit: Conducted between October 2006-May 2007 it included: 100 hospital records; 97 ACIR records; 47 parent interviews and 43 primary care vaccination records. Overall vaccination coverage was 90% at 12 months of age. Only 20% (10/50) of infants with chronic lung disease received an influenza vaccination. Vaccines were delayed by greater than one month in 15% of participants for the 2 month DTPa vaccine and 43% at 6 months. Conclusions: The neonatologists survey highlighted variable adherence with immunisation guidelines. The audit confirmed preterm infants are frequently experiencing delayed vaccination and recommended additional vaccinations are often not being received. Formulation of strategies to ensure complete and timely immunisation are required, including better utilisation of the ACIR. [source] Towards global poliomyelitis eradication: The successes and challenges for a developed countryJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 9 2003N Wood Abstract: The Sabin oral polio vaccine (OPV) has been remarkably successful, with three major regions of the world declared polio free. Mutations of the live attenuated poliovirus during genomic replication have resulted in polioviruses with increased neurovirulence. Recently, mutated vaccine-derived polioviruses have circulated in countries with low OPV vaccination coverage causing outbreaks of poliomyelitis in the islands of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Madagascar. Ultimately the total eradication of poliomyelitis requires the cessation of OPV use. The current questions of how best to continue polio immunisation and when OPV should be withdrawn are addressed. Prolonged excretion of poliovirus in stools following cessation of vaccination has the potential to infect unimmunized susceptible children. In Australia the change to the use of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), while more costly, will avoid the very low risk of vaccine associated paralytic poliomyelitis (one case per 2.5 million doses) and maintain immunity against polio. In the future, new vaccines may provide the solution to the problem of OPV cessation. [source] Strategies for Implementing School-Located Influenza Vaccination of Children: A Systematic Literature ReviewJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 4 2010John Cawley PhD BACKGROUND: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends influenza vaccinations for all children 6 months to 18 years of age, which includes school-aged children. Influenza immunization programs may benefit schools by reducing absenteeism. METHODS: A systematic literature review of PubMed, PsychLit, and Dissertation Abstracts available as of January 7, 2008, was conducted for school-located vaccinations, using search words "School Health Services" and "Immunization Programs"; limited to "Child" (6-12 years) and "Adolescent" (13-18 years) for PubMed and "mass or universal" and (immuniz* or immunis* or vaccin*) and (school or Child or Adolescen*) for PsychLit and Dissertation Abstracts. Fifty-nine studies met the criteria for review. RESULTS: Strategies such as incentives, education, the design of the consent form, and follow-up can increase parental consent and number of returned forms. Minimizing out-of-pocket cost, offering both the intramuscular (shot) and intranasal (nasal spray) vaccination, and using reminders can increase vaccination coverage among those whose parents consented. Finally, organization, communication, and planning can minimize the logistical challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Schools-based vaccination programs are a promising option for achieving the expanded ACIP recommendation; school-located vaccination programs are feasible and effective. Adhering to lessons from the peer-reviewed scientific literature may help public health officials and schools implement the expanded recommendation to provide the greatest benefit for the lowest cost. Given the potential benefits of the expanded recommendation, both directly to the vaccinated children and indirectly to the community, prospective, well-controlled trials to establish the cost-effectiveness of specific vaccination strategies should be high priorities for future research. [source] Feasibility of commercial interferon-,-based methods for the diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Finland, a country of low incidence and high bacille Calmette,Guérin vaccination coverageCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 8 2007T. Tuuminen Abstract The performances of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold in Tubes (QFGT), T SPOT-TB (ELISPOT) and the Mantoux test were compared for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in Finland, a country of low tuberculosis incidence. In Cohort A (16 students), freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and in Cohort B (21 school children), cryopreserved PBMCs, were used for the ELISPOT assay. Cryopreservation of cells in fetal calf serum, but not in serum-free medium, produced false-positive results. Discrepancies between the results of the assays were observed. It was concluded that the accuracy of these ex-vivo methods needs additional evaluation. [source] | |||||||||||||