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The Taiwan National Health Insurance program and full infant immunization coverage.

OBJECTIVES: We compared hospital-born infants and well-baby care use associated with complete immunizations in Taiwan before and after institution of National Health Insurance (NHI). METHODS: We used logistic regression to analyze data from 1989 and 1996 National Maternal and Infant Health Surveys of 1398 and 3185 1-year-old infants, respectively. RESULTS: Infants born in hospitals were found to receive fewer immunizations than those born elsewhere before NHI but significantly more after NHI. Use of well-baby care correlates strongly and positively with the probability that a child will receive a full course of immunization after NHI. CONCLUSIONS: The NHI policy of including hospitals as immunization providers facilitates access to immunization services for children born in those facilities. Through NHI provision of free well-baby care, health planners have stimulated the demand for immunization.

Health Care Surveys↗

Vaccines of importance in the hospital setting. Problems and developments.

Hospital personnel may be exposed to or transmit certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Using immunizing agents optimally in hospitals will protect personnel as well as patients. Preventing illness in hospitals through comprehensive immunization policies can be more cost-effective than case management and outbreak control. Hospital-based immunization programs for patients provide an important strategy for immunizing high-risk patients. Immunizing patients protects them against preventable illnesses that may be acquired in the hospital or the community following discharge.

Cross Infection↗

Prevention of congenital rubella.

The vaccine of choice for rubella vaccination is considered to be RA 27/3, based on frequency of side effects, duration of immunity, antigenic potential and rate of reinfection by wild virus. The most appropriate individuals to be vaccinated are prepubertal schoolgirls and susceptible members of other high-risk groups, and a nationwide immunization program is suggested. Premarital determination of rubella-immune status should be mandatory for all women of childbearing age. A favourable cost/benefit ratio for rubella vaccination seems highly probable. The use of a rubella "fact sheet" to provide education and information for those at risk is strongly recommended.

Canada↗

Best-practice models that work: the CDC's Racial and Ethnic Adult Disparities Immunization Initiative (READII) Programs.

In this panel discussion, three health leaders provide information on techniques and approaches used to effectively implement the CDC's Racial and Ethnic Adult Disparities Immunization Initiative (READII) Programs. Part 1 offers an overview of READII and information on early results and program accomplishments. In Part 2, the Mississippi READII initiative is explored, with insights on how this program has served 10,000 African Americans in inner-city Jackson, Mississippi as well 23,000 elderly African Americans in 18 rural Delta counties, said to be the poorest counties in the nation. The third segment of this presentation explains challenges and successes found in San Antonio, Texas where READII efforts focused on immunizing the city's elderly Hispanics. Readers will find lessons learned and plans for future expansion to use as models when considering implementation of immunization programs in local communities.

Adult↗

Seroepidemiologic survey for hepatitis B virus infection in Taiwan: the effect of hepatitis B mass immunization.

A hepatitis B mass immunization program was launched in Taiwan in July 1984, beginning with newborns of hepatitis B carrier mothers for the first 2 years of the program, which was then extended to all newborns. Seroepidemiology was studied in 3 cohorts at age 6 years. Each cohort consisted of 1500 children proportionally and randomly sampled from those entering elementary school in 1989, 1991, and 1993, representing those born 1 year before the program began and years 1 and 3 of the program, respectively. By RIA, the hepatitis B surface antigen positivity rates in the groups were 10.5%, 6.3%, and 1.7%, respectively; hepatitis B surface antibody positivity rates were 36.9%, 62.0%, 65.4%; and hepatitis B infection rates were 25.0%, 15.9%, 4.3%. Thus, universal immunization was more effective in reducing hepatitis B carriage than selective immunization of newborns of carrier mothers only. The program has proved effective in controlling chronic hepatitis B infection in Taiwan.

Biomarkers↗

Multiplexed PrEST immunization for high-throughput affinity proteomics.

Monospecific antibodies dfdfdfdf (msAbs) generated through antigen specific purification of polyclonal antisera are valuable tools in proteome analyses. However, proteome wide generation of msAbs would require extensive immunization programs. Therefore, it would be desirable to develop efficient immunization and purification methods to reduce the number of animals needed for such antibody-based research. Here we describe a multiplex immunization strategy for generation of msAbs towards recombinantly produced human protein fragments, denoted PrESTs. Antisera from rabbits immunized with a mixture of two, three, five and up to ten different PrESTs have been purified by a two-step immunoaffinity-based protocol and the efficiency of the purification method was analyzed using a two-color protein array concept. The obtained results showed that almost 80% of the animals immunized with antigens composed of two or three different PrESTs yielded antibodies recognizing all the included PrESTs. Furthermore, the modified two-step purification method effectively eliminated all background binding and produced pure antibody pools against individual PrESTs. This indicates that the multiplexed PrEST immunization strategy described here could become useful for high-throughput antibody-based proteomics initiatives, thus significantly reducing the number of animals needed in addition to providing a more cost-efficient method for production of msAbs.

Animals↗

The changing age and seasonal profile of pertussis in Canada.

During the postvaccine era in Canada, most cases of pertussis have been reported in children <5 years of age, with the highest incidence, morbidity, and mortality in infants <1 year old. Population-based data, with very high laboratory confirmation rates and hospital separation and mortality statistics, chronicle the changing age and seasonal profile associated with pertussis over recent successive outbreaks in British Columbia, Canada. A large outbreak during 2000 highlights 2 important changes to the postvaccine profile. For the first time in Canada, the incidence of pertussis among preteens and teens surpassed that of all other age groups. At the same time, a decreasing incidence of pertussis among infants and preschool children highlights reduced susceptibility in the very young. Recent changes in the childhood immunization program (including introduction of an acellular pertussis vaccine), waning immunity, and changes in laboratory methods are considered in explaining these 2 simultaneous but divergent trends in the pertussis profile.

Adolescent↗

Delivery systems for molecular vaccination.

Vaccination is one of the medical success stories of the 20th century, however, there are many diseases for which no prophylactic regimes are available. A major hindrance that has prevented the development of effective mass immunization programs is the inability to induce an appropriate, protective, immune response. For example, for vaccines against intracellular pathogens there is a requirement for cell-mediated immunity as characterized by cytolytic T-lymphocyte activity. However, such a response can be extremely difficult to elicit, especially those employing recombinant, soluble protein subunits. This deficiency is due to the inability of these antigens to access the machinery of the appropriate antigen-processing pathway. Following an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying such processing, as well as the realization that delivery systems can affect, quantitatively and qualitatively, the resulting immune response, the last decade has witnessed an intense research effort in this field. In this article we will review the major developments in the area of antigen delivery as related to vaccination.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Application of adult worm and lung-stage antigens to immunize against Schistosoma mansoni using cytokines as adjuvants.

Different Schistosoma mansoni antigens; adult worm antigen (SWAP) and lung-stage antigen (SLAP) together with different cytokine adjuvants (Interferon-gamma and Interleukin-4) were used to immunize mice against. S. mansoni. Immunization program was directed towards the production of an intense immune response together with balanced T-helper1 and T-helper2 immune responses. The goal of immunization was not only to protect from infection but also to modulate the pathology inflicted by the parasite. Parameters like adult load, egg counts, anti-Schistosoma antibody titers and liver pathology were used to evaluate the different immunization scheme. SLAP antigen has proven to be a better antigen not only in protection but also in pathology modulation. SLAP plus IFN-gamma as an adjuvant was the best immunization regimen with almost 50% protection and a remarkable resolving of parasite pathology. Unexpectedly, IL-4 had a weak but observed adjuvant protective effect. The results is a step in the path for a Schistosoma vaccine that guides the immune system towards a balanced response targeting the pathology induced by the parasite rather than the parasite itself.

Animals↗

Strategies to sustain success in childhood immunizations. The National Vaccine Advisory Committee.

OBJECTIVE: Following an outbreak of measles in 1989-1991, a blueprint for change was developed to improve immunization coverage by addressing deficiencies in the immunization delivery system. A review was undertaken by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) to assess progress in improving immunization coverage, decreasing disease incidence, and developing an immunization delivery system to serve children in the United States. Based on this review, strategies were recommended to sustain success in immunization coverage. PARTICIPANTS: A Subcommittee on Immunization Coverage was appointed by the chairman of the NVAC in 1995 and included representatives from federal agencies, professional organizations, vaccine manufacturers, state and regional health departments, and academic centers. EVIDENCE: Presentations on immunization programs, strategies, and financing were made to the subcommittee by representatives from federal, state, and local agencies; professional organizations; insurers; businesses; and public and private health care providers. Evidence from the published literature also was reviewed. CONSENSUS PROCESS: After review and discussion of evidence presented, conclusions and recommendations were crafted and endorsed by members of the subcommittee. The subcommittee's report was submitted to the NVAC for review, comment, and approval. CONCLUSIONS: Although incidence rates of traditional vaccine-preventable diseases are at all-time low levels and corresponding vaccination coverage rates are at all-time high levels, a system to ensure timely vaccination of the 11000 US infants born each day that also incorporates newly recommended vaccines is incomplete. Key barriers include lack of financing of vaccination in many insurance programs and the lack of implementation of evidence-based interventions to raise coverage levels. The NVAC makes 15 recommendations to achieve a sustainable childhood immunization delivery system organized around (1) vaccination financing to ensure full insurance coverage of recommended vaccines and to support the Vaccines for Children program; (2) provider practices to ensure the implementation of recall/reminder systems and office-based assessment of coverage levels; (3) information systems for monitoring disease, vaccination coverage, and performance on immunization delivery; and (4) support for communities and families to ensure that the public is aware of the importance of vaccination, that resources are focused to help underserved children, that immunization linkages with WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) are enhanced, and that citizen coalitions can advocate improvements in the immunization delivery system.

Child↗

Post-vaccination expansion of extrafollicular Th10 and regulatory Tfr cells distinguishes strong from weak influenza vaccine responses in older adults.

Despite the superior efficacy of high-dose influenza vaccines, over one-third of older adults fail to respond. Yet, the mechanisms underlying this impaired vaccine responsiveness remain poorly understood. Here, we performed longitudinal profiling of older adults (n=60) receiving high-dose influenza vaccination to identify immune programs associated with vaccine responsiveness. Strong responders exhibited a primed baseline immune state characterized by elevated plasma cytokines and chemokines, followed by enhanced IFN-&#x3b3; responses and coordinated transcriptional and epigenetic activation of cDC2 cells at day 1. By day 7, CD4+ T-cell trajectories diverged: strong responders preferentially expanded influenza-specific activated cTfh1 (CXCR5 + CXCR3 + ICOS + CD38 +) and influenza-specific Th10 (CXCR5 - CXCR3 + PD1 + IL10 +) cells, whereas weak responders expanded regulatory cTfr (CXCR5 + FOXP3 +) cells. Th10 expansion correlated with plasmablast and antibody responses and was independently validated in a larger influenza vaccination cohort, including younger adults. Functionally, Th10 cells promoted memory B-cell differentiation into plasmablasts and production of influenza-specific IgGs. TCR analyses revealed minimal clonal overlap between Th10 and cTfh1 cells. Together, these findings identify divergent helper and regulatory CD4+ T cell programs associated with vaccine responsiveness and establish Th10 cells as a previously unrecognized component of vaccine-induced humoral immunity.

Journal Article↗

Vaccine choice and program participation rates when two hepatitis B vaccines are offered.

Participation rates of health care workers in voluntary free hepatitis B virus immunization programs are 35% to 40%. University teaching hospital employees at risk for hepatitis B virus and presenting for immunization were surveyed as to vaccine preference. Both plasma-derived and recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccines were available. During a 10-month period, 173 health care workers enrolled in the study. One hundred seventeen received recombinant vaccine, and 56 received plasma-derived vaccine; 66 were immunized postexposure. Concern of a relationship of human immunodeficiency virus to hepatitis B virus plasma-derived vaccine was acknowledged by a small number of health care workers as important in vaccine selection. Recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccine rapidly and substantially supplanted plasma-derived vaccine but did not increase program participation. We suspect that mandatory immunization or proof of immunity will be necessary if hepatitis B virus protection rates in health care workers are to improve.

Hepatitis B↗

Control of a community-wide outbreak of hepatitis A by mass vaccination with inactivated hepatitis A vaccine.

The epidemiology and control of hepatitis A virus was investigated during an outbreak of hepatitis A in a village in Israel. Postexposure administration of immune globulin to contacts was ineffective in controlling the outbreak. However, within 2 weeks of starting a mass immunization campaign with hepatitis A vaccine, the incidence of hepatitis A declined dramatically; the last case occurred 6 weeks after the immunization program began. The study demonstrated that while postexposure administration of immune globulin may diminish but not entirely arrest transmission of hepatitis A virus, active hepatitis A vaccination is a safe and effective intervention that can be used safely in hepatitis A virus antibody-positive children.

Child↗

[Current aspects of pediatric and adult tetanus in Dakar].

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was undertaken to assess epidemiological and clinical aspects as well as outcome of tetanus cases in patients over 28 days of age, so as to issue recommendations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included patients admitted to the Fann teaching hospital in Dakar from 2001 to 2003. Age, sex, portal of entry, clinical signs, delay from onset to admission, stage and outcome of the tetanus were recorded. RESULTS: 410 cases of tetanus were observed. The sex-ratio was 2.41. The mean age was 20 years [range 2 months-89 years]. Sixty-two percent of the patients were between six and 30 years of age. Most of the patients were workers and craftsmen (58%) or pupils (19%). A wound was the most frequent portal of entry (73%). Tetanus was localized in four out of 406 cases. The global mortality rate was 22%; but it was higher when tetanus was stage III and in case of complications. CONCLUSION: According to these results, it seems necessary to include booster doses in the Expanded Immunization Program, and to implement better prevention strategies targeting people not taken into account in this program. In addition, health care providers should check out the immunization status of their patients and accordingly offer an update or a full course of active immunization.

Adolescent↗

Tetanus. A threat to elderly patients.

Tetanus rarely occurs in young persons now that childhood immunization programs are widespread. Many older patients, however, are not completely immunized, and mortality in this group is high. Since many of the wounds from which tetanus arises are minor, patients may not bring them to medical attention. Thus, physicians should include assessment of immunization status during routine office visits in all age-groups and provide immunization against tetanus and against diphtheria if indicated.

Age Factors↗

United States vaccine research: a delicate fabric of public and private collaboration. National Vaccine Advisory Committee.

In the last 20 years, two thirds of all new vaccines provided worldwide have been produced by a US network of independent industrial, governmental, and academic partners engaged in vaccine research and development. Vaccines are complex products and the science of vaccinology is difficult. To achieve the full promise of modern science and technology to prevent and treat disease by immunization, the delicate fabric of America's cooperative and collaborative vaccine research relationships must be sustained and strengthened. The major partners are the federal government; four large companies--two US-headquartered (Wyeth-Lederle Biologics and Vaccines and Merck & Co), two foreign firms (SmithKline Beecham and Pasteur Mérieux Connaught); and academia. Of the $1.4 billion that fund US vaccine research and development annually, 46% comes from vaccine sales, 36% from taxpayers, and 18% from risk capital. Vaccine innovation could be strengthened by improved public and policy maker understanding of the vaccine development network; declarations of partnership; interactive dialog with federal advisory bodies; public forums for government and industry to listen to patients, providers and researchers; sabbatical assignments between partners; mechanisms to share industries' market research with public immunization programs; continued active industry participation in the Advisory committee on Immunization Practices and the National Vaccine Advisory committee; increased collaboration between industry and the National Institutes of Health for clinical research; harmonization of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices vaccine recommendations and the Food and Drug Administration package inserts; and public policies to foster the partnership's collaboration and robustness. The optimal size and configuration of the US vaccine enterprise should be debated only in the context of a full understanding of how the current system works and its record of effectiveness. These National Vaccine Advisory Committee recommendations are directed at developing public policies to foster and sustain vaccine innovation and ensure the timely introduction and supply of new vaccines needed by this nation and the world.

Cooperative Behavior↗

Swine influenza vaccine program in the community: acceptability, reactions and responses.

The operation of the national swine influenza immunization program was observed in the community of Tecumseh, Michigan. The purpose was to determine acceptability of a parenteral vaccine intended for the general population. Participation of the residents was excellent. More than 64 per cent of eligibles were vaccinated; this figure resembled that of the rest of the local area, but not the national figures nor a suburban area of Michigan where a similar study was carried out. Sore arm after vaccination was reported most frequently in younger female participants; however, sore arm was accepted as part of the process of vaccination and not considered a reaction by most. Such perceived reactions were not as commonly reported as in the large suburban area. Antibody response to the vaccine was excellent, not only in terms of antibodies to the swine virus itself but also in terms of cross reactive antibodies to the emergent H1N1 (Russian) influenza strain. As a result of the program, many vaccine recipients in the 25 to 49 year age groups are protected against this new epidemic virus.

Adolescent↗