Immunization and vaccination

2021 ◽  
pp. 583-596
Author(s):  
Eleonora A.M.L. Mutsaerts ◽  
Shabir A. Madhi
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
The Public ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vulnerable Patient ◽  
History Of ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Spreading Disease

This chapter describes the history of vaccination, challenges to immunization programmes, the public health benefits of vaccination programmes, and the notable successes in terms of elimination. The broader social and economic effects of vaccination are discussed. For example, healthcare workers have increased risk for acquisition of vaccine-preventable diseases. It is important that healthcare workers can maintain delivery of healthcare services during epidemics. They should also avoid spreading disease to vulnerable patient groups. Appropriate vaccination for BCG, hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, meningococcal, influenza, varicella, and pertussis is recommended, especially if at increased risk of exposure. The Expanded Programme on Immunization recommended vaccines is fully covered. Vaccination of special populations and the future of vaccines is also discussed.

scholarly journals Toward a critical race analysis of the COVID-19 crisis in US carceral institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 026101832110014
Author(s):  
Paddy Farr
Keyword(s):  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Racial Justice ◽  
Critical Race ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Detention Centers ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Race Analysis

People in carceral institutions are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection. Applying critical race theory to the problem of COVID-19 provides tools to analyze the risk of infection and evaluate the public health response within the imprisoned, jailed, and detained population. On the surface, this is due to factors related to a lack of hygiene products, an inability to physically distance, a low quality and inaccessible health care, and poor health. However, at root, the increased risk for infection is directly linked to the legacy of slavery and colonization within the history of US prisons, jails, and detention centers. As a solution to the crisis of COVID-19 and prevention of future pandemics within prisons, jails and detention centers, a critical race orientation provides reason and direction for mass decarceration and racial justice.

What’s Wrong with Institutions? A Short History of the Clash between IRAs and Turkish Populists

Populism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-171
Author(s):  
Emre Balıkçı
Keyword(s):  
Public Procurement ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
The Political ◽  
Ordinary People ◽  
Short History ◽  
Political Will ◽  
The Public ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Neoliberal Policies

AbstractThe aim of this article is to reveal the institutional dimensions of populism, which tend to be ignored because of the hegemony of economic analysis of the subject. Whereas many researchers assume that populism is a result of the negative economic effects of neoliberal policies on the middle class, I argue that populism is also a corollary of neoliberal institutions’ effect on the political power of so-called ordinary people. To illustrate this, I focus on the rhetoric of Turkish populists concerning two important economic institutions in Turkey: the Public Procurement Authority and the Central Bank. This examination shows that Turkish populists view the independent institutions of neoliberalism as a barrier against the people’s political will and define themselves as fighters for democracy.

scholarly journals Acute exacerbation of OCD symptoms precipitated by media reports of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. French ◽  
J. Lyne
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Contamination Fear ◽  
Vulnerable Patient ◽  
History Of ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Disease Epidemics

The emergence of COVID-19 has recently dominated public discourse given its serious impact on vulnerable patient groups. Advice in relation to reducing risk of contamination has justifiably been circulated widely during the COVID-19 crisis. Contamination fear is a common obsessional theme in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and there is a need for increased research on how infectious disease epidemics affect patients with OCD. We present the case of a lady in her 30s with a history of well-controlled contamination OCD who presented acutely with a significant exacerbation of OCD symptoms precipitated by media reports of COVID-19. The case highlights the potential psychological impacts of infectious disease epidemics on individuals with mental illness. We also highlight some of the risks posed to such patients in response to epidemics such as the COVID-19 crisis.

scholarly journals Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Healthcare Workers of a German COVID-19 Treatment Center

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7057
Author(s):  
Lionel Larribère ◽  
Jelizaveta Gordejeva ◽  
Lisa Kuhnhenn ◽  
Maximilian Kurscheidt ◽  
Monika Pobiruchin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Phase ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Patient Exposure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Level ◽  
Low Prevalence

To date, more than 160 million people have been infected with COVID-19 worldwide. In the present study, we investigated the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection among 3067 healthcare workers (HCW) in a German COVID-19 treatment center during the early phase of the pandemic (July 2020) based on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and self-reported previous PCR results. The results demonstrate a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 107 [3.5%]) with no increased risk for employees with a high level of patient exposure in general or working in COVID-19-confined areas in particular. This suggests that the local hygiene standards implemented in our hospital during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic were effective in preventing patient-to-HCW transmission. No evidence for highly mobile staff serving as a vector for SARS-CoV-2 transmission could be found. In addition, impairment of smell and/or taste was strongly associated with SARS-CoV-2 history.

scholarly journals Exceptional Design for an Adult Oral Health Screening Program, Qatar

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Health Screening ◽  
Physiological Aging ◽  
The Public ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
Expected Outcome ◽  
History Of

Introduction: As a result of an increased life expectancy and reduced fertility, it is anticipated that by 2050 about half of the world’s population will be aged 60 years and above. This increased longevity has posed a challenge of adding health to life as progressive improvements in older people’s health that translate to longevity may be stalled. Physiological aging is usually associated with multiple chronic diseases, frailty, polypharmacy, and the loss of dependency and autonomy for daily living activities. Besides, reduced dexterity, impaired vision, and lower tactile associated with physiological aging pose an increased risk to oral hygiene. Furthermore, older adults, especially those with cognitive impairment, have more compromised oral health. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this heuristic designed project is to screen all adult patients, including those with a history of chronic diseases living and seeking dental services at the public sectors and other sectors in Qatar. To improve the treatment of oral health diseases, the overall oral health of older adults, and to develop a data repository of oral diseases in the elderly population under one national umbrella for the first time in Qatar. Project Design: This project is consisting of two tests, pre-test, and post-test design. The use of this design will allow us to understand the oral health challenges in Qatar. This screening’s expected outcome will reveal the critical factors and challenges that affect the oral health logistic system. It will also help in improving and identifying all oral health problems. Help in testing whether Qatar’s older population’s oral health screen effectively reduces the risk of poor oral health among this group. Oral health screening will be implemented as a regular intervention that will be delivered using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) such as tongue, lips, saliva, dental pain, natural teeth, gums and oral tissue, and dentures. Expected Outcomes: The project is anticipated to support the practical application and real operational status of healthcare settings. Besides, it is anticipated that this project will optimize the chances for maximum impact once the program is implemented. Furthermore, it is expected that the project will include an essential part for decision making, evaluation, and justifications and will also hold key evaluation features for program impact and monitoring. Another expected outcome of this project is its ability to document programs effectively and identify significant opportunities for improvement with collected data. Finally, it is expected that this project will result in a model outline that will be implemented in both Qatar and across the globe to help merge the public sector and other sectors’ dental health data on a national level. Recommendation: Since the number of adults with a history of chronic diseases and have oral conditions is still unknown in Qatar due to the lack of a database, the authors recommend this project to help in building the background and database to assist dental practitioners, and policymakers develop specific and targeted programs that will support and provide treatment for the targeted population to improve the quality of life.

Prevalence of Hepatitis C Antibodies in a Large Sample of Belgian Healthcare Workers

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Moens ◽  
Robert Vranckx ◽  
Liesbeth De Greef ◽  
Pierre Jacques
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Needlestick Injuries ◽  
General Hospitals ◽  
Occupational Risk Factors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of

AbstractObjective:To assess the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among Belgian (Flemish) healthcare workers.Design:A seroprevalence survey of HCV IgG antibodies.Setting and Participants:A systematic sample of 5,064 employees from 22 general hospitals in Flanders and Brussels, Belgium, was tested at the annual occupational medical examination. Together with demographic and occupational data, information was collected on the frequency of blood contact, needlestick injuries, and medical and surgical history. The blood samples were tested using the third-generation Abbott Screen Kit test, with confirmation by Matrix, LIA, and an in-house polymerase chain reaction and the Quantiplex-HCV b-DNA test.Results:21 persons were found to be positive for HCV markers. The overall prevalence was 0.41% (95% confidence interval [CI95], 0.24-0.59). A statistically significant association was found with a history of blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR], 4.14; CI95, 1.67-10.31) and with history of a clinically apparent hepatitis (OR, 3.98; CI95,1.60-9.90). Although the ORs for the frequency of blood contact were slightly elevated (between 1.17 and 2.73), this association was not significant. Moreover, a history of needlestick injuries showed a nonsignificant OR of 1.28 (CI95, 0.53-3.09), and no statistically significant difference was found with a variety of duties and tasks. The ORs for potential occupational risk factors were adjusted according to age, gender, antecedents, and other confounders using a logistic regression analysis. Based on this procedure, the ORs decreased slightly.Conclusions:Flemish healthcare workers showed a lower HCV seropositivity than is seen in the general population; a history of blood transfusion and of clinically apparent hepatitis was most strongly associated with the presence of HCV markers. We concluded that employees in Flemish regional general hospitals are not at an overall increased risk for HCV infection, although occasional transmission through percutaneous injuries is possible, and prevention therefore remains imperative.

5 A dry and silent world: hidden disabilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (1132) ◽  
pp. 120.3-120
Author(s):  
Emma Barnard ◽  
Abigail Tucker ◽  
Mona Mozaffari ◽  
Tathyane Teshima
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Public ◽  
Hidden Disabilities ◽  
King's College ◽  
Sensory Disorders ◽  
Vulnerable Patients ◽  
Vulnerable Patient ◽  
Patient Groups

What is the power of human sensation? How does our ability to hear, salivate and taste affect everyday life? It is typical that patients suffering or surviving head and neck diseases continue to be impaired by disabilities and sensory disorders that are often overlooked by clinicians and patients alike. Not least because our senses of hearing and taste are hidden, by virtue of their anatomy. The theme of ‘hidden disability’ came to the project team in their observations of vulnerable patients, in particular the elderly, those suffering dementia, Sjogren Syndrome and survivors of head and neck cancer. Too readily, aspects affecting the quality of life of these patients are not recognised or even ignored.Hearing and salivation are taken for granted by the public, by patients and even by clinicians. As such the team recognised a need to raise awareness especially amongst clinicians of the hidden nature of hearing loss and dry mouth amongst vulnerable patient groups.A dry and silent world: living with hidden disabilities sought to encourage a three-way dialogue between patients, clinicians and academics mediated and documented through art.A dry and silent world: living with hidden disabilities was a collaboration between King’s College London’s Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology and Emma Barnard. It was supported by the university’s Culture team.

scholarly journals A Wide Range of Strategies to Cope with Healthcare Workers’ Vaccine Hesitancy in A North-Eastern Italian Region: Are They Enough?

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Laura Brunelli ◽  
Francesca Antinolfi ◽  
Francesca Malacarne ◽  
Roberto Cocconi ◽  
Silvio Brusaferro
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Italian Region ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Wide Range

The recent pandemic reminded the world of the high risk of healthcare workers (HCWs) and patient contagiousness along with the healthcare services disruption related to nosocomial outbreaks. This study aims at describing vaccination campaigns within healthcare institutions of a North-Italian Region and comparing their effectiveness in term of vaccination coverage. In December 2019, we surveyed all healthcare institutions of Friuli Venezia Giulia Region throughout an email questionnaire with 15 questions investigating strategies adopted for the vaccination of HCWs against influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), along with actions put in place in case of a VPD exposure. We found a strong heterogeneity in VPDs prevention and control policy and practice for HCWs, along with responsibility attribution ranging among different stakeholders. Strategies adopted to promote vaccination included a wide range of methods, but HCWs’ influenza vaccination coverage still ranged from 17.0 to 33.3%. Contact tracing after a VPD exposure did not always include medical residents and students and visitors/caregivers/extra personnel as possible contacts. Even if knowledge and complacency gaps among HCWs could be faced with education activities, more efforts should be done in identifying and implementing effective vaccination strategies, and mandatory vaccination for HCWs could be introduced to achieve host, herd, and healthcare immunity preventing possible hospital outbreaks.

scholarly journals Workplace Violence towards Healthcare Workers: An Italian Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 758-764
Author(s):  
Nicola Ielapi ◽  
Michele Andreucci ◽  
Umberto Marcello Bracale ◽  
Davide Costa ◽  
Egidio Bevacqua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Background. Workplace violence (WPV) is a major healthcare problem with important consequences in healthcare areas and may impact negatively not only healthcare workers but also the quality and safety of patient care. Objectives: This an observational online web-based survey using Google® Modules, specifically aiming to investigate the phenomenon of WPV in Italian healthcare services. Methods. Data collection for this study lasted one month, with the questionnaire available from 1 May 2021 to 31 May 2021. Continuous variables were considered as either mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median and interquartile range (IQR) based on their distribution. Comparison between groups was assessed by unpaired t-test or Mann–Whitney U test according to variable distribution. Categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-squared test. Results. The study population consisted of 203 healthcare workers, represented by nurses (61.6%), medical doctors (16.8%), patient care assistants (4.9%), and others (16.7%). Female gender was associated with a 2.6 times higher risk for the presence of aggression (p = 0.034), and nurse as a job with about 4 times increased risk for the presence of aggression (p = 0.006). The risk for aggression increased by 5% for each year of work experience. Conclusions. WPV is still matter of concern in Italian healthcare services. A strong organizational effort is demanded from healthcare institutions in order prevent internal and external violence in healthcare settings.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document