scholarly journals Vaccination and Vaccine Effectiveness: A Commentary of Special Issue Editors

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Claudio Costantino ◽  
Alessandra Casuccio ◽  
Vincenzo Restivo
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
Personal Risk Factors ◽  
Coverage Rates

The Special Issue “Vaccination and Vaccine Effectiveness”, published in the journal Vaccines, has the main aim to increase international literature data on vaccine effectiveness and safety and on vaccination strategies in order to reduce vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination coverage rates. The main topics included in the call for papers were vaccines administered to infants, adolescents, adults, elderly people, at-risk populations (due to comorbidities and personal risk factors) and healthcare workers and strategies adopted to promote vaccination adherence among these categories. This Special Issue started from the assumption that, despite vaccination being universally recognized as one of the best strategies to increase duration and quality of life during the last centuries, vaccination coverage rates are often under the levels recommended to reduce circulation and to extinguish vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccine hesitancy involves at least 15% of the general population, and healthcare workers also sometimes demonstrate doubts on vaccination effectiveness and safety. At the end of the six-month submission period, 16 articles (15 research article and one review) were accepted after the peer-review processes and published online.

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 Compulsory vaccination policies: a systematic review about knowledge, attitudes and believes

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Voglino ◽  
M R Gualano ◽  
F Bert ◽  
E Olivero ◽  
M Corezzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Compulsory Vaccination ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Coverage Rates ◽  
Mandatory Vaccination ◽  
Low Coverage

Abstract Background Vaccine hesitancy is a considerable issue in European Countries and leads to low coverage rates. Consequently, the implementation of national immunization programmes including the introduction of compulsory vaccination are required. It is interesting to determine citizens’ knowledge, attitudes and believes about vaccination policies, in order to more effectively define vaccination programs. Methods The present study systematically reviewed published studies evaluating attitudes towards mandatory vaccination programs. PubMed and Scopus scientific databases were searched and 4,198 results were returned, of these 29 met the inclusion criteria. PRISMA statements were followed. Results Twenty-two studies assessed attitudes towards mandatory vaccination programs in general, while 9 papers focused specifically on the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. Most of the studies were performed in Europe and North America. According to the assessed studies, the majority of the population seems to be in favour of compulsory vaccinations, from 53% to 97% for different vaccination programs. More resistance has been recorded for the HPV vaccination: the percentage of agreement for mandatory HPV vaccinations ranged from 27% to 63.5%. Furthermore, some studies investigated healthcare workers’ attitudes towards childhood and adult vaccinations. They pointed out that the general population is generally more in favour of mandatory vaccination policies than healthcare workers. The studies highlighted that the support to mandatory policies increased after their implementations. Conclusions The results presented in this review could be an important starting point to further understand the issue of vaccine hesitancy and support the implementation of effective vaccination strategies in Europe. Key messages Mandatory vaccination policies are generally well accepted among general population. More resistance is recorded for specific vaccination (HPV) or among specific population (healthcare workers).

scholarly journals Vaccine hesitancy: An overview on parents' opinions about vaccination and possible reasons of vaccine refusal

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Facciolà ◽  
Giuseppa Visalli ◽  
Annalisa Orlando ◽  
Maria Paola Bertuccio ◽  
Pasquale Spataro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developed Countries ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Vaccine Refusal ◽  
Italian City ◽  
Real Composition ◽  
Coverage Rates ◽  
Low Coverage ◽  
Design And Methods

Background. Vaccine hesitancy has increased worldwide with a subsequent decreasing of vaccination rates and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (i.e. measles, poliomyelitis and pertussis) in several developed countries, including Italy. Design and Methods. We conducted a survey to investigate the attitudes of a parents’ sample about vaccinations by the distribution of questionnaires in six lower secondary schools of the Italian city of Messina. Results. Regarding vaccinations carried out on children, the declared vaccination coverage rates ranged widely between good coverage percentages for some vaccinations (Measles-Mumps-Rubella, Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis), and very low coverage rates for others, especially for “new” vaccinations (HPV, meningococcal, pneumococcal). The vaccinations carried out correlated negatively with both parents’ age and their level of education. Moreover, a favourable parents’ opinion was strongly influenced by a favourable opinion of the physician, while an unfavourable parents’ opinion seemed conditioned by a direct or indirect knowledge of people harmed by vaccines. In addition, our data show that parents do not often know or partially know the real composition of the vaccines and the diseases prevented by vaccinations. Conclusions. Data analysis shows that parents are, theoretically, favourable towards vaccinations but have little knowledge of such practices, sometimes not being unaware of the types of vaccines administrated to their children. Health education and communication of correct information are certainly the cornerstones to improve the situation and to fight the widespread and non-grounded fears about vaccines.

scholarly journals VACCINATION COVERAGE RATES AND THE INCIDENCE OF VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES AMONG CHILDREN IN SUMY REGION OF UKRAINE

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-260
Author(s):  
Vladyslav A. Smiianov ◽  
Halyna S. Zaitseva ◽  
Victorya A. Kurganskaya ◽  
Anatoly G. Dyachenko ◽  
Volodymyr P. Zbarazhskyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Coverage Rates

Introduction: Routine immunization contributes immensely to decline the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases among children. Statistical data shown the sharply decrease the vaccination coverage rates in Sumy region of Ukraine. The aim: Assess routine immunization uptake and its effect on the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases among children in Sumy region of Ukraine. Review: During some years, only 50-60 % of Sumy region children had received all recommended vaccines, which is far below World Health Organization target of 80 %. This has led to an increase of morbidity associated with some infectious diseases. Outbreaks of measles were registered in 2006 and 2012, when were ill 9346 and 7931 children respectively. Massive measles outbreak ongoing nowadays. Total number infected have already exceeded 35,000 cases. Conclusions: RI uptake in Ukraine is still below World Health Organization target. The main reason for the ongoing measles outbreak was low vaccination coverage for routine immunization antigens as a result of which collective immunity decreased to a critical level. Strict monitoring of the implementation of the immunization schedule by medical institutions at all levels are recommended to improve vaccination status of Ukrainian children.

scholarly journals No such thing as a free-rider? Understanding multicountry drivers of childhood and adult vaccination

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Verelst ◽  
Roselinde Kessels ◽  
Lander Willem ◽  
Philippe Beutels
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Free Rider ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Disease ◽  
Preventable Disease

AbstractBackgroundIncreased vaccine hesitancy and refusal negatively affects vaccine uptake leading to vaccine preventable disease reemergence. We aimed to quantify the relative importance of characteristics people consider when making vaccine decisions for themselves, or for their child, with specific attention for underlying motives arising from context, such as required effort (accessibility) and opportunism (free riding on herd immunity).MethodsWe documented attitudes towards vaccination and performed a discrete choice experiment in 4802 respondents in The United Kingdom, France and Belgium eliciting preferences for six attributes: (1) vaccine effectiveness, (2) vaccine preventable disease burden, (3) vaccine accessibility in terms of co-payment, vaccinator and administrative requirements, (4) frequency of mild vaccine-related side-effects, (5) vaccination coverage in the country’s population and (6) local vaccination coverage in personal networks. We distinguished adults deciding on vaccination for themselves (‘oneself’ group) from parents deciding for their youngest child (‘child’ group).ResultsWhile all six attributes were found to be significant, vaccine effectiveness and accessibility stand out in all (sub)samples, followed by vaccine preventable disease burden. We confirmed that people attach more value to severity of disease compared to its frequency and discovered that peer influence dominates free-rider motives, especially for the vaccination of children.ConclusionsThese behavioral data are insightful for policy and are essential to parameterize dynamic vaccination behavior in simulation models. In contrast to what most game theoretical models assume, social norms dominate free-rider incentives. Therefore policy-makers and healthcare workers should actively communicate on high vaccination coverage, and draw attention to the effectiveness of vaccines, while optimizing their practical accessibility.

scholarly journals 2019-20 influenza coverage among healthcare workers: how a Northern-Italian Region tackles hesitancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Antinolfi ◽  
L Brunelli ◽  
F Malacarne ◽  
F G Bucci ◽  
G Varadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Research Institution ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Academic Center ◽  
Component Approach

Abstract Introduction WHO stresses the need to implement multi-component interventions to raise coverage among healthcare workers (HCWs). We investigated different HCWs influenza immunization programs within Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region hospitals (Italy) during 2019-20 flu season with the aim of identifying the most effective strategies to tackle hesitancy. Methods In December 2019 we collected from FVG hospitals: number of employed HCWs, vaccination strategies against flu and refusers management during 2019-20 flu season. We obtained data about HCWs flu vaccination coverage from the regional database; Chi-square test was used to find correlation between strategies and coverage. Results We collected data from 7/7 hospitals for a total of employed HCWs of 12,557 (average 1,794; range 467-3,922); 2 hospitals being academic centers and 2 research institutions. All hospitals promoted flu vaccination using emails, notice on hospital website and posters display; 3/7 organized training courses. Vaccination was always provided within the hospital in a dedicated easy and free access room; most hospitals (5/7) also offered ward on-site sessions, some allowing ward self-administration (3/7) or organizing on demand extra-sessions (2/7). No countermeasures were taken in case of refusal. Regional HCWs flu vaccination coverage resulted to be 24.9% (range 17-33.3). Multi-component intervention including passive and active offer, communication and education activities was confirmed to be significantly associated with higher HCWs flu coverage (OR 1.7; CI 1.6-1.9; p < 0.01), as well as being the hospital an academic center or a research institution (OR 1.3; CI 1.2-1.5; p < 0.01). Conclusions Different strategies to foster HCWs vaccination were adopted in FVG Region during 2019-20 flu season. The multi-component approach producing the best results should be further analyzed in order to identify the most effective recipe to be shared both nationally and internationally. Key messages Investigating the relation between HCWs flu immunization strategies and their effect is crucial to identify best practices. A multi-component approach including passive and active offer, communication and education activities seems the most effective way to tackle influenza vaccine hesitancy among HCWs.

Attitudes Regarding Occupational Vaccines and Vaccination Coverage Against Vaccine-preventable Diseases Among Healthcare Workers Working in Pediatric Departments in Greece

2012 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 623-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena C. Maltezou ◽  
Athanasia Lourida ◽  
Aspasia Katragkou ◽  
Ioanna N. Grivea ◽  
Panos Katerelos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases

scholarly journals Monitoring regional-level vaccination coverage rates in Lombardy Region (Northern Italy)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Croci ◽  
D Rossi ◽  
A Odone ◽  
C Signorelli
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Birth Cohorts ◽  
Lombardy Region ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Populated Region ◽  
Coverage Rates

Abstract Background Lombardy is Italy's most affluent and most populated region, with the highest national per capita GDP, and over 10 million residents - more than 16 out of 27 EU countries. In 2017, two measures were approved against vaccine hesitancy, i.e. the National Plan for Vaccine Prevention (2017-2019) and Law no. 119 on mandatory vaccinations. Aim of the study is to monitor Lombardy regional-level vaccine coverage trends and to assess the new legislative framework's overall impact. Methods We analysed and critically interpreted Lombardy regional-level vaccination coverage (2000-2018 for childhood vaccinations; birth cohorts 1997-2005 for HPV; flu seasons 1999-2000/2018-2019 for influenza). All data were extracted from the Italian Ministry of Health website. We carried out descriptive trend analysis for measles and polio-containing vaccines in 24 month-old-children, Human Papilloma Virus vaccine in 12-year-old females, and influenza vaccine in seniors over 65 years. Regional data were compared with the corresponding Italian national averages. Results Childhood vaccinations: Lombardy and Italy have never met the 95% target for measles-containing vaccines (average coverage 2000-2018: Lombardy 91,79%, Italy 86,94%). Polio-containing vaccines have always remained above the 95% threshold, with a drop in 2015-2017. In 2018 they increased back to safety levels (Lombardy 95,31%, Italy 95,09%). HPV: coverage has always kept below WHO/SAGE intermediate 80% goal (average coverage, birth cohorts 1997-2005: Lombardy 75,58%, Italy 72,73%). Influenza: mean coverage has been alarmingly inadequate (Lombardy 54,09%, Italy 57,98%) compared to WHO-recommended minimum of 75%. Conclusions Except for influenza, coverage in Lombardy is slightly higher than the Italian average. Exploring Lombardy's response to the national legislation could guide policymakers in developing tailored vaccination strategies. Key messages Overall, vaccination coverage in Lombardy is slightly higher than the Italian average. In 2017, law n.119 on mandatory vaccinations came into force, acting as a powerful tool for coverage increase.

scholarly journals Influenza Vaccination in Italian Healthcare Workers (2018–2019 Season): Strengths and Weaknesses. Results of a Cohort Study in Two Large Italian Hospitals

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Panatto ◽  
Piero Luigi Lai ◽  
Stefano Mosca ◽  
Elvina Lecini ◽  
Andrea Orsi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis

Background: Annual vaccination is the most effective way to combat influenza. As influenza viruses evolve, seasonal vaccines are updated annually. Within the European project Development of Robust and Innovative Vaccine Effectiveness (DRIVE), a cohort study involving Italian healthcare workers (HCWs) was carried out during the 2018-2019 season. Two aims were defined: to measure influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and to conduct an awareness-raising campaign to increase vaccination coverage. Methods: Each subject enrolled was followed up from enrollment to the end of the study. Each HCW who developed ILI was swabbed for laboratory confirmation of influenza. Influenza viruses were identified by molecular assays. A Cox regression analysis, crude and adjusted for confounding variables, was performed to estimate the IVE. Results: Among the 4483 HCWs enrolled, vaccination coverage was 32.5%, and 308 ILI cases were collected: 23.4% were positive for influenza (54.2% A(H1N1) pdm09; 45.8% A(H3N2)). No influenza B viruses were detected. No overall IVE was observed. Analyzing the subtypes of influenza A viruses, the IVE was estimated as 45% (95% CI: -59 to 81) for A(H1N1) pdm09. Conclusions: Vaccination coverage among HCWs increased. Study difficulties and the circulation of drifted variants of A(H3N2) could partly explain the observed IVE.

scholarly journals Protection to Six Vaccinable Pathogens in Paired Plasma/DBS and HIV Impact in Infected and Uninfected Children From Kinshasa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodríguez-Galet Ana ◽  
Rubio-Garrido Marina ◽  
Valadés-Alcaraz Ana ◽  
Rodríguez-Domínguez Mario ◽  
Galán Juan Carlos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Paediatric Population ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Coverage Rates ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Child vaccination reduces infant mortality rates. HIV-infected children present higher risk of diseases than non-infected. We report the protection coverage rates to 6 vaccine-preventable diseases in a paediatric population from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impact of HIV infection, providing the first data on the validity of dried blood samples (DBS) to monitor the immune protection. During 2016-2018 DBS from 143 children/adolescents were collected in Kinshasa (DRC), being 52 HIV-infected. Forty-two had a paired plasma sample. Protective IgG was quantified (VirClia®IgG,Vircell) to obtain the optimal cut-off in IgG detection in DBS. ROC curves were generated with R software and statistical analyses with Stata. Protective IgG levels varied across pathogens, not reaching the herd immunity. HIV-infected presented lower vaccine protection than uninfected for all analysed pathogens, except rubella, with statistically significant differences for measles (30.8% vs. 53.8%;p=0.008) and tetanus (3.8% vs. 22%;p=0.004). New cut-offs were calculated when using DBS to improve test performance. We reinforce the necessity to increase pediatric vaccination coverage in Kinshasa, specially in HIV seropositive, with less capacity to maintain adequate antibody levels. DBS were useful to monitor vaccination coverage in seroprevalence studies in resource-limited settings, after optimizing the cut-off value for each pathogen.

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