scholarly journals A model-based evaluation of the national immunization programme against rubella infection and congenital rubella syndrome in The Netherlands

1998 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 653-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. G. van der HEIJDEN ◽  
M. A. E. CONYN-van SPAENDONCK ◽  
A. D. PLANTINGA ◽  
M. E. E. KRETZSCHMAR
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Congenital Rubella Syndrome ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Rubella Infection ◽  
Immunization Programme ◽  
Congenital Rubella ◽  
National Immunization Programme ◽  
Notification Data

In order to improve the prevention of cases of congenital rubella syndrome in The Netherlands, in 1987 the selective vaccination strategy against rubella infection in girls was replaced by mass vaccination. This decision was supported by mathematical model analyses carried out by Van Druten and De Boo. In order to compare the predicted impact of the rubella vaccination programme with the current available data in more detail, a similar model was built. Although the model predicts elimination of the rubella virus, data show that virus circulation is still present at a higher level than expected by the model. Simulation studies indicate that import of infection and a lower vaccine effectiveness, related to possible asymptomatic reinfection of vaccinated people, could be sources contributing to the present virus circulation. Even though the number of infections is much higher than the number of reported cases of disease, limited serosurveillance data and case notification data show that females of childbearing age are well protected by immunization.

scholarly journals The seroepidemiology of rubella in western Europe

2000 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. PEBODY ◽  
W. J. EDMUNDS ◽  
M. CONYN-van SPAENDONCK ◽  
P. OLIN ◽  
G. BERBERS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Congenital Rubella Syndrome ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Immunization Programme ◽  
Congenital Rubella ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Selective Vaccination

Most of the countries in western Europe have now implemented mass infant rubella immunization programmes, instead of or in addition to selective vaccination in order to achieve the elimination of congenital rubella syndrome.The European countries Denmark, England and Wales, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands undertook large, national serological surveys collecting several thousand serum specimens during 1994–8. Antibodies against rubella virus were detected by a variety of enzyme immuno-assays. Comparability of the assay results was achieved by a standardized methodology. The age- and sex-stratified serological results were related to the schedules, coverage of rubella vaccination and the incidence in these countries.The results show widely differing levels of immunity to rubella both in the general population and in the specific age groups of males and females. A low rate (< 5%) of susceptibles in childhood and adolescents of both sexes was obtained only in Finland and the Netherlands.Countries such as Italy with only moderate coverage for the infant immunization programme currently have both high susceptibility levels in the general population and in the at-risk population. The likelihood is of continued epidemics of rubella with cases of congenital rubella syndrome. The continued implementation of selective vaccination will help to offset the impact of this ongoing transmission and to protect women on reaching childbearing age.

scholarly journals Prevalence of antibodies against rubella virus in the Netherlands 9 years after changing from selective to mass vaccination

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. DE HAAS ◽  
S. VAN DEN HOF ◽  
G. A. M. BERBERS ◽  
H. E. DE MELKER ◽  
M. A. E. CONYN-VAN SPAENDONCK
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Mass Vaccination ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Congenital Rubella ◽  
General Dutch Population ◽  
Combined Vaccine ◽  
Antibody Levels

A two-dose mass vaccination programme with a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) was adopted in the Netherlands in 1987, replacing the selective schoolgirl vaccination strategy introduced in 1974. To obtain insight into the effect of mass vaccination and the population's immunity, the antibody levels against rubella were studied in the general Dutch population and in religious groups refusing vaccination. In the national sample, we observed a high prevalence (96·5%) for rubella antibodies in vaccinated cohorts as well as in the older unvaccinated cohorts. No indications of rapidly waning immunity after vaccination were found. There are indications of low virus circulation in the last few years. The very high seroprevalence in women at childbearing age is consistent with the few reported cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) at present. However, individuals in the age group of 1–9 years who are not vaccinated for religious or other reasons have a considerably lower seroprevalence and thus there is a potential risk of a CRS outbreak in the future.

Burden of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) in Bangladesh: Systematic Review of Existing Literature and Transmission Modelling of Seroprevalence Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-290
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Chan ◽  
Yue Wu ◽  
James Wood ◽  
Mohammad Muhit ◽  
Mohammed K. Mahmood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Deterministic Model ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Controlled Vocabulary ◽  
Congenital Rubella Syndrome ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Congenital Rubella ◽  
The Impact

Background and Objectives: Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable congenital anomalies. Comprehensive country-level data on the burden of CRS in low and middle-income countries, such as Bangladesh, are scarce. This information is essential for assessing the impact of rubella vaccination programs. We aim to systematically review the literature on the epidemiology of CRS and estimate the burden of CRS in Bangladesh. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of existing literature and transmission modelling of seroprevalence studies to estimate the pre-vaccine period burden of CRS in Bangladesh. OVID Medline (1948 – 23 November 2016) and OVID EMBASE (1974 – 23 November 2016) were searched using a combination of the database-specific controlled vocabulary and free text terms. We used an age-stratified deterministic model to estimate the pre-vaccination burden of CRS in Bangladesh. Findings: Ten articles were identified, published between 2000 and 2014, including seven crosssectional studies, two case series and one analytical case-control study. Rubella seropositivity ranged from 47.0% to 86.0% among all age population. Rubella sero–positivity increased with age. Rubella seropositivity among women of childbearing age was 81.0% overall. The estimated incidence of CRS was 0·99 per 1,000 live births, which corresponds to approximately 3,292 CRS cases annually in Bangladesh. Conclusion: The estimated burden of CRS in Bangladesh during the pre-vaccination period was high. This will provide important baseline information to assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of routine rubella immunisation, introduced in 2012 in Bangladesh.

scholarly journals Rotavirus Vaccination of Infants Delayed and Limited within the National Immunization Programme in the Netherlands: An Opportunity Lost

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Florian Zeevat ◽  
Evgeni Dvortsin ◽  
Abrham Wondimu ◽  
Jan C. Wilschut ◽  
Cornelis Boersma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Universal Vaccination ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Rotavirus Vaccination ◽  
Immunization Programme

In this study, we estimated the benefits of rotavirus vaccination for infants had the rotavirus vaccine been introduced in the Netherlands as of its market authorization in 2006. An age-structured, deterministic cohort model was developed to simulate different birth cohorts over a period of 15 years from 2006 until 2021, comparing both universal and targeted high-risk group vaccination to no vaccination. Different scenarios for the duration of protection (5 or 7 years) and herd immunity (only for universal vaccination) were analyzed. All birth cohorts together included 2.6 million infants, of which 7.9% were high-risk individuals, and an additional 13.2 million children between 1–15 years born prior to the first cohort in 2006. The costs and health outcomes associated with rotavirus vaccination were calculated per model scenario and discounted at 4% and 1.5%, respectively. Our analysis reveals that, had rotavirus vaccination been implemented in 2006, it would have prevented 356,800 (51% decrease) and 32,200 (5% decrease) cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis after universal and targeted vaccination, respectively. Over the last 15 years, this would have led to significant avoided costs and quality-adjusted life year losses for either vaccination strategy with the most favorable outcomes for universal vaccination. Clearly, an opportunity has been lost.

scholarly journals Prenatal diagnosis of congenital rubella infection in São Paulo

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 451-456
Author(s):  
Suely Pires Curti ◽  
Cristina Adelaide Figueiredo ◽  
Maria Isabel de Oliveira ◽  
Joelma Queiroz Andrade ◽  
Marcelo Zugaib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Rubella Virus ◽  
Fetal Death ◽  
Congenital Rubella Syndrome ◽  
Fetal Blood ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Rubella Infection ◽  
Molecular Assays ◽  
Congenital Rubella

Objective: rubella during the early stages of pregnancy can lead to severe birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Samples collected from pregnant women with symptoms and suspected of congenital rubella infection between 1996 and 2008 were analyzed. Methods: a total of 23 amniotic fluid samples, 16 fetal blood samples, 1 product of conception and 1 placenta were analyzed by serology and RT-PCR. Results: all patients presented positive serology for IgG / IgM antibodies to rubella virus. Among neonates, 16 were IgG-positive, 9 were IgM-positive and 4 were negative for both antibodies. Of the 25 samples analyzed in this study, 24 were positive by RT-PCR. Changes in ultrasound were found in 15 (60%) of 25 fetuses infected with rubella virus. Fetal death and miscarriage were reported in 10 (40%) of the 25 cases analyzed. The rubella virus was amplified by PCR in all fetuses with abnormal ultrasound compatible with rubella. Fetal death and abortion were reported in 10 of 25 cases analyzed. Conclusion: this study, based on primary maternal rubella infection definitely confirms the good sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR using amniotic fluid and ultrasound. The results showed that molecular assays are important tools in the early diagnosis of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.

scholarly journals Rubella Virus Infection, the Congenital Rubella Syndrome, and the Link to Autism

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Mawson ◽  
Ashley M. Croft
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Liver Dysfunction ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Congenital Rubella Syndrome ◽  
Hypervitaminosis A ◽  
Background Rate ◽  
Rubella Infection ◽  
Congenital Rubella

Rubella is a systemic virus infection that is usually mild. It can, however, cause severe birth defects known as the congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) when infection occurs early in pregnancy. As many as 8%–13% of children with CRS developed autism during the rubella epidemic of the 1960s compared to the background rate of about 1 new case per 5000 children. Rubella infection and CRS are now rare in the U.S. and in Europe due to widespread vaccination. However, autism rates have risen dramatically in recent decades to about 3% of children today, with many cases appearing after a period of normal development (‘regressive autism’). Evidence is reviewed here suggesting that the signs and symptoms of rubella may be due to alterations in the hepatic metabolism of vitamin A (retinoids), precipitated by the acute phase of the infection. The infection causes mild liver dysfunction and the spillage of stored vitamin A compounds into the circulation, resulting in an endogenous form of hypervitaminosis A. Given that vitamin A is a known teratogen, it is suggested that rubella infection occurring in the early weeks of pregnancy causes CRS through maternal liver dysfunction and exposure of the developing fetus to excessive vitamin A. On this view, the multiple manifestations of CRS and associated autism represent endogenous forms of hypervitaminosis A. It is further proposed that regressive autism results primarily from post-natal influences of a liver-damaging nature and exposure to excess vitamin A, inducing CRS-like features as a function of vitamin A toxicity, but without the associated dysmorphogenesis. A number of environmental factors are discussed that may plausibly be candidates for this role, and suggestions are offered for testing the model. The model also suggests a number of measures that may be effective both in reducing the risk of fetal CRS in women who acquire rubella in their first trimester and in reversing or minimizing regressive autism among children in whom the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed.

scholarly journals Preventing congenital rubella infection in the European Region of WHO: 2010 target

2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Spika ◽  
F X Hanon ◽  
S Wassilak ◽  
R G Pebody ◽  
N Emiroglu
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Congenital Rubella Syndrome ◽  
World Health ◽  
Measles Vaccine ◽  
Mmr Vaccine ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Rubella Infection ◽  
Congenital Rubella

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe has recently published a strategic plan and surveillance guidelines for measles and congenital rubella infection. The strategy prioritises measles control activities but encourages the introduction of rubella vaccine when measles vaccine coverage has reached &gt;90 %; although, many western European countries with suboptimal measles vaccine coverage are already using the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Women in these countries may have an especially high risk of having an infant with congenital rubella syndrome. WHO is seeking to improve the surveillance for rubella and congenital rubella syndrome as a means to obtain better information on the burden of these diseases and engage policy decision makers in the need to support the WHO European Region's strategies for rubella.

scholarly journals Rubella outbreak in an unvaccinated religious community in the Netherlands leads to cases of congenital rubella syndrome

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (47) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y van der Veen ◽  
S Hahné ◽  
Helma Ruijs ◽  
R van Binnendijk ◽  
A Timen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Religious Community ◽  
Congenital Rubella Syndrome ◽  
Congenital Rubella

The first children with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) associated with the recent rubella outbreak in

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document