scholarly journals Improving the accuracy of ACIR data and increasing vaccination rates

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaïs A Miles ◽  
Linda V Granger ◽  
Colleen L Gately
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Quality Improvement Activity ◽  
Childhood Immunisation ◽  
Central Coast ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates

Immunisation at the earliest appropriate age and high levels of vaccine coverage at milestone ages are important in preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. At the Central Coast Public Health Unit, the authors sought to determine if follow-up of children said by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) to be overdue for vaccination improved both of these factors. In a quality improvement activity, monthly ACIR lists of overdue Central Coast children aged 9 to 10 months of age were examined. The study alternated three months of intervention with three months of no intervention. The intervention was designed to find evidence of vaccination, first from the last known provider, and then if this was unsuccessful, from the parent. If no information was available, a letter was sent to the parents. If the child was indeed vaccinated, the register was updated. If the child was missing any vaccinations, the parent(s) were encouraged to complete the schedule. On reviewing routinely-published quarterly ACIR data at three-monthly intervals for 24 months after the intervention (or non-intervention), timeliness of vaccination improved in the intervention cohort. Central Coast fully vaccinated rates diverged from NSW rates during the study. In addition, the ACIR quarters that contained two out of three months of intervention rather than one out of three months of intervention had the highest rates of fully vaccinated children. The authors concluded that the intervention improved both timeliness of vaccination and the proportion of fully vaccinated children.

scholarly journals Getting personal: how vaccination exemptions shape herd immunity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma R Nedell ◽  
Romain Garnier ◽  
Saad B Omer ◽  
Shweta Bansal
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Spatial Clustering ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Exemption Policy ◽  
Epidemiological Effects

Background: State-mandated school entry immunization requirements in the United States play an important role in achieving high vaccine coverage and preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Most states allow non-medical exemptions that let children remain unvaccinated on the basis of personal beliefs. However, the ease of obtaining such exemptions varies, resulting in a patchwork of state vaccination exemption laws, contributing to heterogeneity in vaccine coverage across the country. In this study, we evaluate epidemiological effects and spatial variations in non-medical exemption rates in the context of vaccine policies. Methods and Findings: We first analyzed the correlation between non-medical exemption rates and vaccine coverage for three significant childhood vaccinations and found that higher rates of non-medical exemptions were associated with lower vaccination rates of school-aged children in all cases. We then identified a subset of states where exemption policy has recently changed and found that the effects on statewide non-medical exemption rates varied widely. Focusing further on Vermont and California, we illustrated how the decrease in non-medical exemptions due to policy change was concurrent to an increase in medical exemptions (in CA) or religious exemptions (in VT). Finally, a spatial clustering analysis was performed for Connecticut, Illinois, and California, identifying clusters of high non-medical exemption rates in these states before and after a policy change occurred. The clustering analyses show that policy changes affect spatial distribution of non-medical exemptions within a state. Conclusions: Our work suggests that vaccination policies have significant impacts on patterns of herd immunity. Our findings can be used to develop evidence-based vaccine legislation.

scholarly journals A modeling of a Diphtheria epidemic in the refugees camps

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Torrea ◽  
José Luis Torrea ◽  
Daniel Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Soviet Union ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Epidemic Outbreak ◽  
High Coverage ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The Soviet Union

AbstractBackgroundDiphtheria has a big mortality rate. Vaccination practically eradicated it in industrialized countries. A decrease in vaccine coverage and public health deterioration cause a reemergence in the Soviet Union in 1990. These circumstances seem to be being reproduced in refugee camps with a potential risk of new outbreak.MethodsWe constructed a mathematical model that describes the evolution of the Soviet Union epidemic outbreak. We use it to evaluate how the epidemic would be modified by changing the rate of vaccination, and improving public health conditions.ResultsWe observe that a small decrease of 15% in vaccine coverage, translates an ascent of 47% in infected people. A coverage increase of 15% and 25% decreases a 44% and 66% respectively of infected people. Just improving health care measures a 5%, infected people decreases a 11.31%. Combining high coverage with public health measures produces a bigger reduction in the amount of infected people compare to amelioration of coverage rate or health measures alone.ConclusionsOur model estimates the evolution of a diphtheria epidemic outbreak. Small increases in vaccination rates and in public health measures can translate into large differences in the evolution of a possible epidemic. These estimates can be helpful in socioeconomic instability, to prevent and control a disease spread.

scholarly journals Status of Vaccine Coverage In Venezuelan Children, A Country With A Complex Humanitarian Crisis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Drummond ◽  
Isabel Marín ◽  
Anny Sánchez ◽  
Marianjosé Reyes ◽  
Jenny García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Immunization Coverage ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccination Schedule ◽  
Humanitarian Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
One Year

Abstract In Venezuela, PAHO has reported an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases since 2016. The goal of this work was to assess vaccination coverage in children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas (HUC). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study included 0 to 12 years old children hospitalized in HUC admitted between January 2015 and December 2019, and verified immunization scheme. The patient data were compared with the schedule of the Ministry of Health of Venezuela and analyzed by comparing immunization coverage by year of patient hospitalization and patient age. Results: A total of 2903 patients were surveyed, corresponding to 53.2% male, 37.4% infants. A coverage level above 95% was found only for BCG. Comparing vaccination coverage with the vaccination schedule vs year of patient hospitalization, it was observed a mean decrease in vaccine coverage of 21.5% in 2019 relative to 2015 (p = 0.0000). Vaccination rates in children under one year old were lower than in children older than 6 years for all vaccines (p = 0.0000) Conclusions: There is a decline in vaccination coverage in 2019 in relation to previous years, being the most affected children less than one year old

Pertussis

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Ecology ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Whooping Cough ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Evolutionary Epidemiology

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a respiratory disease caused primarily by infection with the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It remains one of the leading causes of death among vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide and recent years have seen its alarming re-emergence in many regions (including the United States and much of Europe), despite sustained high levels of vaccine coverage. The causes of the resurgence remain contentious, in part due to inherent complexities of the pathogen’s biology, in part due to pronounced variation in the treatment and prevention strategies between different countries and regions, and in part due to long-standing disagreement among scientific researchers studying pertussis. This edited volume brings together expert knowledge from disparate fields with the overall aim of synthesizing the current understanding of this critically important, global pathogen. Pertussis: Epidemiology, Immunology, and Evolution is an advanced text suitable for graduate-level students taking courses in evolutionary epidemiology, disease ecology, and evolutionary biology, as well as academics, public health officials, and researchers in these fields. It also offers a very useful introduction to a wider audience of public health practitioners, microbiologists, epidemiologists, medical professionals, and vaccine biologists

scholarly journals Public health practitioner perspectives on dealing with measles outbreaks if high anti-vaccination sentiment is present

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope Robinson ◽  
Kerrie Wiley ◽  
Chris Degeling
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccination Schedule ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
High Level ◽  
Measles Outbreaks

Abstract Background Communities with low vaccination rates are at greater risk during outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. Most Australian parents support vaccines, but some refuse and are often judged harshly by their community, especially during an outbreak. We sought the perspectives of Australian public health experts on the key issues faced when managing a measles outbreak in an area with high anti-vaccination sentiment. Methods A measles outbreak scenario formed the basis of a 3-round modified Delphi process to identify key practitioner concerns in relation to parents/carers who don’t follow the recommended vaccination schedule. We surveyed a range of professionals in the field: policymakers, infectious disease experts, immunisation program staff, and others involved in delivering childhood vaccinations, to identify key priorities when responding to an outbreak in a community with low vaccination coverage. Results Findings indicate that responses to measles outbreaks in communities with high anti-vaccination sentiment are motivated by concerns about the potential for a much larger outbreak event. The highest operational priority is to isolate infected children. The two most highly ranked practical issues are mistrust from non-vaccinating members of the local region and combatting misinformation about vaccines. Trying to change minds of such individuals is not a priority during an outbreak, nor is vaccinating their children. Using media and social media to provide information about the outbreak and measures the public can take to limit the spread of the disease was a focus. Conclusions Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the challenges faced during an outbreak and priorities for communicating with communities where there is a high level of anti-vaccination sentiment. In the context of a global pandemic, the results of this study also have implications for managing public health responses to community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, as COVID-19 vaccines becomes widely available.

Vaccination uptake and information for parents

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 396-398
Author(s):  
Helen Sisson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Parental Decision Making ◽  
Uptake Rates ◽  
Low Coverage

With the growing risk of misinformation on the internet, it is important for practice nurses to be equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge on immunisation. Helen Sisson explains why it is vital for nurses to be aware of vaccination rates in their area to boost uptake The childhood vaccination programme is a fundamental public health intervention that relies on sufficient coverage for its success, yet coverage data demonstrate a decline in uptake across England. An awareness of uptake rates is essential to identify areas of low coverage, and to develop approaches to address them. Vaccine coverage in the childhood programme depends on parental decision-making, and given the vast amount of information available to parents, knowledge of and access to accurate and credible sources is essential.

scholarly journals Public Health Practitioner Perspectives on Dealing with Measles Outbreaks in Areas with high Anti-vaccination Sentiment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope Robinson ◽  
Kerrie Wiley ◽  
Chris Degeling
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccination Schedule ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
High Level ◽  
Measles Outbreaks

Abstract BackgroundCommunities with low vaccination rates are at greater risk during outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. Most Australian parents support vaccines, but some refuse and are often judged harshly by their community, especially during an outbreak. We sought the perspectives of Australian public health experts on the key issues faced when managing a measles outbreak in an area with high anti-vaccination sentiment.MethodsA measles outbreak scenario formed the basis of a 3-round modified Delphi process to identify key practitioner concerns in relation to parents/carers who don’t follow the recommended vaccination schedule. We surveyed a range of professionals in the field: policymakers, infectious disease experts, immunisation program staff, and others involved in delivering childhood vaccinations, to identify key priorities when responding to an outbreak in a community with low vaccination coverage.ResultsFindings indicate that responses to measles outbreaks in communities with high anti-vaccination sentiment are motivated by concerns about the potential for a much larger outbreak event. The highest operational priority is to isolate infected children. The two most highly ranked practical issues are mistrust from non-vaccinating members of the local region and combatting misinformation about vaccines. Trying to change minds of such individuals is not a priority during an outbreak, nor is vaccinating their children. Using media and social media to provide information about the outbreak and measures the public can take to limit the spread of the disease was a focus.ConclusionsOur findings provide a deeper understanding of the challenges faced during an outbreak and priorities for communicating with communities where there is a high level of anti-vaccination sentiment. In the context of a global pandemic, the results of this study also have implications for managing public health responses to community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, if and when a safe and effective vaccine becomes widely available.

scholarly journals Using mobile immunization vans to cover under-served populations in hard-to-reach areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Siddique ◽  
S Abdullah ◽  
D A Siddiqi ◽  
A Mirza ◽  
V K Dharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Immunization Coverage ◽  
Gis Analysis ◽  
Due Date ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Immunization Registry ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Vaccine Schedule ◽  
Rural Residences

Abstract Background In Pakistan, only 66% of children receive their basic vaccinations. However, the figure masks significant inequalities in vaccine coverage between urban and rural residences, slums and areas distantly located from EPI centers. Frequent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio and measles, in urban cities like Karachi, signal the need for expanding vaccine services to underserved areas. In Apr'19, we introduced the Mobile Immunization Van initiative in Karachi in collaboration with EPI Sindh. Currently, two vans are deployed in hard-to-reach areas and slums to immunize under-2 children for routine vaccines. Methods Before the van visit, mobilization efforts are conducted in targeted areas to encourage caretakers to bring their child for vaccination. On the day of visit, the van is parked at a central location, and announcements are played on a loudspeaker to attract caregivers. All vaccinations are administered in the van, and entries are recorded in Government's Digital Immunization Registry along with GIS coordinates of immunized children. The data is then automatically transferred on to a web-dashboard for analysis and tracking. Results From Apr'19 to Jan'20, the vans have vaccinated 2,867 children, out of which 50% had never been immunized prior to the van visit. Of those who received their follow-up vaccines from the van, 80% were at least 4 weeks beyond from their vaccine due date. GIS analysis of van data confirmed that immunizations were conducted in slums, and areas distantly located from EPI centers. Moreover, compared to government outreach activity, proportion of BCG, Penta3 and Measles1 administrations in slums was higher through the vans by 5%, 6%, and 4% respectively. Conclusions The vans provide an opportunity for immunizing never-vaccinated children and children defaulting on their vaccine schedule, from the most vulnerable geographies, while simultaneously enrolling them in the Government's EPI Program for effective tracking. Key messages The mobile vans help achieve universal immunization coverage through provision of vaccine services in slum and rural hard-to-reach areas with limited access to government-provided services. The mobile vans help vaccinate and capture never-immunized children into the Government’s EPI records, reducing the number of children missed through routine services.

Safety of Immunizations for the Adult Patient With Inflammatory Bowel Disease—A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Desalermos ◽  
Michael Pimienta ◽  
Markos Kalligeros ◽  
Fadi Shehadeh ◽  
Leonidas Diamantopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have low vaccination rates for vaccine-preventable diseases. Fear of adverse reactions (AEs) appear to negatively affect vaccination efforts. We aimed to systemically review the risks for AEs following immunization for patients with IBD. Methods We searched PubMed and Embase until April 15, 2020, for studies evaluating the safety of vaccinations among patients with IBD. The primary outcome was the incidence of systemic and local AEs among vaccinated patients. Secondary outcome was the rate of IBD flare following immunization. We utilized a random effects meta-analysis of proportions using the DerSimonian-Laird approach to estimate the safety of immunizations. Results A total of 13 studies with 2116 patients was included in our analysis after fulfilling our inclusion criteria. Seven studies examined the influenza vaccine, 4 the pneumococcal vaccine, 1 the recombinant zoster vaccine, and 1 the hepatitis B vaccine. Follow-up of patients was up to 6 months. The majority of AEs were local, with a pooled incidence of 24% (95% CI, 9%-42%) for all vaccines. Systemic AEs were mostly mild, without resulting in hospitalizations or deaths, with a pooled incidence of 16% (95% CI, 6%-29%) for all vaccines. Flare of inflammatory bowel disease after vaccination found with a pooled incidence of 2% (95% CI, 1%-4%) and we include in the analysis data from all immunizations examined. Discussion Our study demonstrated that AEs after vaccination are mainly local or mildly systemic and do not differ significantly from the expected AE after recommended immunizations for the general population. Thus, gastroenterologists should reinforce that vaccines are safe in patients with IBD.

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