scholarly journals Long time trends in influenza-like illness and associated determinants in The Netherlands

2008 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. DIJKSTRA ◽  
G. A. DONKER ◽  
B. WILBRINK ◽  
A. B. VAN GAGELDONK-LAFEBER ◽  
M. A. B. VAN DER SANDE
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Influenza Like Illness ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Epidemiological Trends ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYWe analysed long-term epidemiological trends in influenza-like illness (ILI) in The Netherlands and used an ecological analysis to estimate its relationship with age, influenza vaccination, and virological aspects. This study used data from weekly ILI consultation reports from sentinel general practitioners (1986/1987 to 2006/2007), virological data from sentinel ILI patients (1992/1993 to 2006/2007), and data for influenza vaccine uptake (1991–2005). The incidence of ILI consultations, although varying during the study period, was estimated to decrease in the total population by 12·2/10 000 persons each season (95% CI 8·6–15·9). Uptake of influenza vaccination in people aged ⩾65 years (elderly) increased from 28% in 1991 to >70% since 1997. ILI incidence in the elderly declined by 1·7/10 000 persons (P=0·05) per percentage vaccine uptake per season. The decline in ILI incidence over the last 20 years could be related to the increased vaccine uptake. However, insufficient data were present to assess the impact of other potential contributing factors, such as diminished fitness of influenza viruses and changes in consulting behaviour.

scholarly journals Impact of influenza vaccination programmes among the elderly population on primary care, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands: 2015/16 to 2017/18 influenza seasons

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (45) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ausenda Machado ◽  
Clara Mazagatos ◽  
Frederika Dijkstra ◽  
Irina Kislaya ◽  
Alin Gherasim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Programme ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
The Impact

Background To increase the acceptability of influenza vaccine, it is important to quantify the overall benefits of the vaccination programme. Aim To assess the impact of influenza vaccination in Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands, we estimated the number of medically attended influenza-confirmed cases (MAICC) in primary care averted in the seasons 2015/16 to 2017/18 among those ≥ 65 years. Methods We used an ecological approach to estimate vaccination impact. We compared the number of observed MAICC (n) to the estimated number that would have occurred without the vaccination programme (N). To estimate N, we used: (i) MAICC estimated from influenza surveillance systems, (ii) vaccine coverage, (iii) pooled (sub)type-specific influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates for seasons 2015/16 to 2017/18, weighted by the proportion of virus circulation in each season and country. We estimated the number of MAICC averted (NAE) and the prevented fraction (PF) by the vaccination programme. Results The annual average of NAE in the population ≥ 65 years was 33, 58 and 204 MAICC per 100,000 in Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands, respectively. On average, influenza vaccination prevented 10.7%, 10.9% and 14.2% of potential influenza MAICC each season in these countries. The lowest PF was in 2016/17 (4.9–6.1%) with an NAE ranging from 24 to 69 per 100,000. Conclusions Our results suggest that influenza vaccination programmes reduced a substantial number of MAICC. Together with studies on hospitalisations and deaths averted by influenza vaccination programmes, this will contribute to the evaluation of the impact of vaccination strategies and strengthen public health communication.

scholarly journals Cumulative Effects of Particulate Matter Pollution and Meteorological Variables on the Risk of Influenza-Like Illness

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
Kacper Toczylowski ◽  
Magdalena Wietlicka-Piszcz ◽  
Magdalena Grabowska ◽  
Artur Sulik
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Nonlinear Models ◽  
Absolute Humidity ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Meteorological Variables ◽  
Exponential Relationship ◽  
Influenza Like Illness ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
The Impact

The cold season is usually accompanied by an increased incidence of respiratory infections and increased air pollution from combustion sources. As we are facing growing numbers of COVID-19 cases caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, an understanding of the impact of air pollutants and meteorological variables on the incidence of respiratory infections is crucial. The incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI) can be used as a close proxy for the circulation of influenza viruses. Recently, SARS-CoV-2 has also been detected in patients with ILI. Using distributed lag nonlinear models, we analyzed the association between ILI, meteorological variables and particulate matter concentration in Bialystok, Poland, from 2013–2019. We found an exponential relationship between cumulative PM2.5 pollution and the incidence of ILI, which remained significant after adjusting for air temperatures and a long-term trend. Pollution had the greatest effect during the same week, but the risk of ILI was increased for the four following weeks. The risk of ILI was also increased by low air temperatures, low absolute humidity, and high wind speed. Altogether, our results show that all measures implemented to decrease PM2.5 concentrations would be beneficial to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections.

scholarly journals Influenza Vaccine Uptake and Associated Factors in Aged Care Facilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s140-s140
Author(s):  
Mohana Kunasekaran ◽  
Mallory Trent ◽  
Elisa Lai ◽  
HaoYi Tan ◽  
Abrar Chughtai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
The Impact

Introduction:Influenza vaccine is recommended for high-risk populations in Australia (including those aged over 65 years) but is less effective in the elderly due to a progressive and predictable age-related decline in immune function, referred to as immunosenescence. Aged care facilities (ACF) are known to be at high risk of explosive outbreaks of influenza (even in highly vaccinated populations) and may reflect a higher intensity of transmission within the closed setting of ACF, as well as lower immunity and immunosenescence in the frail elderly.Methods:To measure the impact of influenza in aged-care staff (ACS) and residents as well as vaccine effectiveness, a prospective observational epidemiological study was conducted in collaboration with an aged-care provider with multiple sites from March to October 2018. Weekly active surveillance on influenza-like symptoms and questionnaires were used to collect data on two groups: ACS and residents. A range of variables was examined against their 2018 influenza vaccination status in statistical analysis.Results:Vaccination rates were high in residents and consistent with other studies. Vaccine rates in aged-care staff were lower and consistent with other studies.Discussion:Residents and relatives are unlikely to change their minds about vaccination from year to year unless there is targeted effort to persuade them to so, and negative perception of the vaccine is likely to persist. Workplace influenza vaccination programs targeted at staff could be an effective method of raising vaccine uptake.

scholarly journals Seasonal Influenza Vaccination and Recommendation: The Difference between General Practitioners and Public Health Workers in China

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongguo Rong ◽  
Xiaozhen Lai ◽  
Xiaochen Ma ◽  
Zhiyuan Hou ◽  
Shunping Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Public Health Workers

Seasonal influenza vaccination for healthcare workers (HCWs) is critical to the protection of HCWs and their patients. This study examined whether the separation of public health workers and general practitioners could affect the influenza vaccine uptake and recommendation behaviors among HCWs in China. A survey was conducted from August to October 2019, and HCWs from 10 provinces in China were recruited. A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was used to assess HCWs’ demographic information, knowledge, and attitudes toward influenza vaccination, as well as vaccine uptake and recommendation behaviors. The primary outcome was HCWs’ vaccination and recommendation status of seasonal influenza vaccine. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the influence factors of influenza vaccine uptake and recommendation among HCWs. Of the 1159 HCWs in this study, 25.3% were vaccinated against influenza in the previous season. “No need to get vaccinated” was the primary reason for both unvaccinated public health workers and general practitioners. Multivariate logistic regression showed that public health workers were more likely to get vaccinated against influenza (OR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.59–3.05) and recommend influenza vaccination to children (OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.57–2.80) and the elderly (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.26–2.25) than general practitioners. Besides, the knowledge and perceived risk of influenza can give rise to HCWs’ vaccination and recommendation behaviors, and HCWs who got vaccinated in the past year were more likely to recommend it to children and the elderly in their work. The influenza vaccine coverage and recommendation among HCWs are still relatively low in China, especially for general practitioners. Further efforts are needed to improve the knowledge and attitudes toward influenza and influenza vaccination among HCWs, and coherent training on immunization for both public health workers and general practitioners might be effective in the face of separated public health and clinical services in China.

Impacts of influenza vaccination policy for the elderly and the SARS epidemic on influenza-like illness in Taiwan

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-542
Author(s):  
Chieh-Yu Liu ◽  
Lon-Mu Liu ◽  
Hui-Tze Yu ◽  
Yi-Fen Tsai ◽  
Chia-Luen Tsai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Influenza Like Illness

Voluntary to Mandatory: Evolution of Strategies and Attitudes toward Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Quan ◽  
David M. Tehrani ◽  
Linda Dickey ◽  
Eugene Spiritus ◽  
Denise Hizon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Hospital Policies ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
The Impact

Background.Assessing the relative success of serial strategies for increasing healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination rates is important to guide hospital policies to increase vaccine uptake.Objective.To evaluate serial campaigns that include a mandatory HCP vaccination policy and to describe HCP attitudes toward vaccination and reasons for declination.Design.Retrospective cohort study.Methods.We assessed the impact of serial vaccination campaigns on the proportions of HCP who received influenza vaccination during die 2006–2011 influenza seasons. In addition, declination data over these 5 seasons and a 2007 survey of HCP attitudes toward vaccination were collected.Results.HCP influenza vaccination rates increased from 44.0% (2,863 of 6,510 HCP) to 62.9% (4,037 of 6,414 HCP) after institution of mobile carts, mandatory declination, and peer-to-peer vaccination efforts. Despite maximal attempts to improve accessibility and convenience, 27.2% (66 of 243) of die surveyed HCP were unwilling to wait more than 10 minutes for a free influenza vaccination, and 23.3% (55 of 236) would be indifferent if they were unable to be vaccinated. In this context, institution of a mandatory vaccination campaign requiring unvaccinated HCP to mask during the influenza season increased rates of compliance to over 90% and markedly reduced the proportion of HCP who declined vaccination as a result of preference.Conclusions.A mandatory influenza vaccination program for HCP was essential to achieving high vaccination rates, despite years of intensive vaccination campaigns focused on increasing accessibility and convenience. Mandatory vaccination policies appear to successfully capture a large portion of HCP who are not opposed to receipt of die vaccine but who have not made vaccination a priority.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33(1):63-70

scholarly journals Monitoring the introduction of universal influenza vaccination for the elderly people in the Netherlands

1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 32-32
Author(s):  
G. A. van Essen
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
The Elderly

For many years, influenza vaccination in the Netherlands has been administered by general practitioners (GPs), with whom every person is registered. Nine out of ten practices use one of six approved general practice information systems (GPIS). The exponen

scholarly journals Enhanced influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel prevents cases despite community burden

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 165-168
Author(s):  
Isaí Medina-Piñón ◽  
Magaly Padilla-Orozco ◽  
Lidia Mendoza-Flores ◽  
Elvira Garza-González ◽  
Raul G Salazar-Montalvo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
High Activity ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Influenza Like Illness ◽  
Immunization Registry ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Influenza vaccination for healthcare personnel is not obligatory in Mexico, and compliance relies on promotion and persuasion. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of influenza vaccination compliance on the reduction of influenza and influenza-like illness among healthcare personnel throughout two consecutive influenza seasons. Methodology: A retrospective study comparing cases of influenza and influenza-like illness among vaccinated and unvaccinated healthcare personnel registered in a Mexican 500-bed University Hospital surveillance and immunization registry during seasons 2015-16 and 2016-17. Results: Total influenza immunization compliance was 21.3% and 42.7%, respectively. Reduction of the number of influenza-like illness (58 in 2015-16 and 15 in 2016-17; P = 0.0001) and confirmed influenza cases (28 in 2015-16 and 13 in 2016-17; P = 0.036) was evident. During 2016-17, influenza activity in the community was higher than 2015-16 (4800 and 1338 cases, respectively). Conclusions: Increased influenza vaccination compliance among healthcare personnel was associated with reduction of the overall number of influenza and influenza-like illness cases, even in the setting of high activity of the disease in the community through 2016-17 and reported suboptimal vaccine effectiveness during both seasons.

scholarly journals Ethnic differences in the incidence of clinically diagnosed influenza: an England population-based cohort study 2008-2018

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Davidson ◽  
Amitava Banerjee ◽  
Rohini Mathur ◽  
Mary Ramsay ◽  
Liam Smeeth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Influenza Like Illness ◽  
White Ethnicity ◽  
Vaccine Recommendations ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACTWe used primary and linked secondary healthcare data to investigate the incidence of clinically diagnosed influenza/influenza-like-illness (ILI) by ethnicity in England from 2008-2018. We identified higher incidence rate ratios for influenza/ILI among South Asian (1.70, 95% CI 1.66-1.75), Black (1.48, 1.44-1.53) and Mixed (1.22, 1.15-1.30) groups compared to White ethnicity.People from ethnic minority backgrounds are represented disproportionately among patients with severe COVID-19. Recent research has found people of Black and South Asian ethnicity have increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization and death, independent of deprivation, occupation, household size, and underlying health conditions(1,2).The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination. By preventing influenza-related hospitalization, vaccination can minimize the risk of hospital-acquired COVID-19 (co-) infection for these individuals and reduce health service pressures, particularly the need for isolation of patients with respiratory symptoms awaiting COVID-19 test results.In the UK, influenza vaccine is routinely recommended for adults aged ≥65 years, or people <65 years with underlying health conditions. These recommendations formed the basis of the original guidance to identify patients at moderate- and high-risk of COVID-19. Influenza vaccine recommendations were expanded for the 2020/21 season to include all adults ≥50 years(3). However, vaccine uptake among clinical risk groups is low, particularly for Black and Mixed Black ethnic groups(4). In addition, people of non-White ethnicity have higher risk of severe outcomes following influenza infection(5,6). It is unclear whether this is driven by the risk of infection or complications, with most research focused on distal outcomes rather than initial infection risk.Here we investigate the incidence of influenza and influenza-like-illness (ILI) by ethnicity from 2008-2018 among people not eligible for routine influenza vaccination, to consider disparities in infection risk.

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