Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Jan 2018
Influenza vaccination coverage estimates in the fee-for service Medicare beneficiary population 2006 - 2016: Using population-based administrative data to support a geographic based near real-time tool.
Older adults are at great risk of developing serious complications from seasonal influenza. We explore vaccination coverage estimates in the Medicare population through the use of administrative claims data and describe a tool designed to help shape outreach efforts and inform strategies to help raise influenza vaccination rates. ⋯ Utilization of this tool can assist key actors interested in prevention - medical groups, health plans, hospitals, and state and local public health authorities - in supporting strategies for reaching pools of unvaccinated beneficiaries where general national population estimates of coverage are less informative. Implementing evidence-based tools can be used to address persistent racial and ethnic disparities and prevent a substantial number of influenza cases and hospitalizations.
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An estimated 215,000 children died of rotavirus infections in 2013, accounting for 37% of diarrhea-related deaths worldwide, 92% of which occurred in low and lower-middle income countries. Since 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of rotavirus vaccines in all national immunization programs. This review compares rotavirus vaccine (RV) introductions and vaccine coverage by region, country income status and Gavi-eligibility from 2006-2016. ⋯ High-income countries, on average, had poorer rotavirus vaccine coverage compared to low and lower-middle income countries. The over-representation of African countries within the Gavi subset and high estimated rotavirus deaths in these African countries, likely explains why introduction efforts have been focused in this region. While much progress has been made with the integration and implementation of rotavirus vaccine into national immunization programs, 110 countries representing 69% of the global birth cohort had yet to introduce the vaccine by December 2016.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Jan 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialSerological responses to rotavirus NSP2 following administration of RV3-BB human neonatal rotavirus vaccine.
Serum rotavirus IgA responses are an imperfect non-mechanistic correlate of protection, and the lack of an accurate serological marker is a challenge to the development of new rotavirus vaccines. Serological responses to rotavirus NSP2 occur following wild-type infection; however, it is unknown if serological responses to NSP2 occur following administration of rotavirus vaccines. The phase IIa immunogenicity trial of RV3-BB provided an opportunity to investigate the serological responses to NSP2 following vaccination. ⋯ Despite significant serum IgA response against total RV3-BB, we were unable to demonstrate a significant serological response to NSP2 in participants receiving RV3-BB when compared to placebo. Heterotypic antibodies against multiple NSP2 genotypes were detected following RV3-BB vaccination. Our data demonstrates that while serological responses to NSP2 were detectable in a subset of participants, it is a less useful marker when compared to total rotavirus serum IgA response.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Jan 2018
Vaccine hesitancy - a potential threat to the achievements of vaccination programmes in Africa.
Vaccination programmes in Africa have made extraordinary progress over the last four decades. Yet, vaccine hesitancy threatens to erode these gains. Vaccine hesitancy is a continuum between vaccine acceptance and refusal. ⋯ Moreover, tools to measure vaccine hesitancy are scarce, and none that exist have been validated in Africa. We discuss these knowledge gaps, and propose a research and capacity building agenda to better measure and overcome vaccine hesitancy in Africa. Ultimately, this is essential if we hope to enhance and sustain public demand for vaccination and preserve the tremendous achievements of vaccination programmes on the continent.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Jan 2018
ReviewExperience and challenges on influenza and pertussis vaccination in pregnant women.
Young infants contribute to relatively high burden of vaccine-preventable diseases, including infections by influenza virus and Bordetella pertussis. Vaccination of pregnant women can enhance transplacental transfer of protective antibody to the fetus and protect the infant against disease during the first few months of life. Pregnant women are a priority group for seasonal influenza vaccination, due to third-trimester pregnancy being a risk-factor for severe influenza illness. ⋯ The increase in specific pertussis antibody among the infants born to vaccinated women might, however, interfere with the active pertussis vaccination of the infant following the primary series of vaccines. The clinical implication of this is yet to be ascertained, particularly since immune responses following the booster vaccine are unaffected. Vaccination of pregnant women with inactivated influenza vaccine and acellular pertussis vaccine have been demonstrated to confer protection to their young infants, and warrants consideration for inclusion into public health immunization programs, including in low and middle income countries.