Health technology assessment : HTA
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Health Technol Assess · Jul 2010
Vaccine effectiveness in pandemic influenza - primary care reporting (VIPER): an observational study to assess the effectiveness of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1)v vaccine.
To determine influenza A (H1N1)v vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the Scottish population at an early stage of the 2009-10 H1N1v vaccination programme, using a sentinel surveillance network of 41 general practices contributing to the Practice Team Information (PTI) network. ⋯ Evidence from swabs submitted from patients in the cohort who presented in general practice with influenza-like illness suggests that the introduction of influenza A (H1N1)v vaccine in Scotland during 2009 was associated with a high degree of protection. Influenza A (H1N1)v immunisation in primary health-care settings appears to be both effective and widely acceptable, and should continue to be the mainstay of disease prevention for at-risk patients. A further analysis encompassing the whole influenza season is required to cover more days of vaccination exposure and increase precision.
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Health Technol Assess · Jul 2010
Influenza A/H1N1v in pregnancy: an investigation of the characteristics and management of affected women and the relationship to pregnancy outcomes for mother and infant.
In April 2009 a novel influenza A virus (AH1N1v) of swine origin (swine flu) emerged, spreading rapidly and achieving pandemic status in June 2009. Pregnant women were identified as being at high risk of severe influenza-related complications and as a priority group for vaccination against AH1N1v. Limited information was available about the maternal and fetal risks of AH1N1v infection or of antiviral drug or AH1N1v vaccine use in pregnancy. ⋯ Earlier treatment with antiviral agents is associated with improved outcomes for pregnant women and further actions are needed in future pandemics to ensure that antiviral agents and vaccines are provided promptly to pregnant women, particularly in the primary care setting. Further research is needed on longer-term outcomes for infants exposed to AH1N1v influenza, antiviral drugs or vaccines during pregnancy.