Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Taiwan: Comparison between women born in Taiwan and other southeast countries

Background  

Taiwan's national vaccination program has successfully decreased the prevalence of hepatitis B infection after twenty years of implementation and might be indirectly beneficial to the second generation. In this study, we compared the hepatitis B infection status of two groups: pregnant Taiwanese women and other Southeast Asian women, who because they had immigrated later in life to Taiwan by marriage to a Taiwanese man, had not been exposed to that vaccination program to evaluate the effect of hepatitis vaccination program on women of child-bearing age and further explored the potential impact of immigration on the hepatitis B public health policy in Taiwan.     

The Pregnancy,Arsenic, and Immune Response (PAIR) Study in rural northern Bangladesh

Background

Arsenic exposure and micronutrient deficiencies may alter immune reactivity to influenza vaccination in pregnant women, transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies to the foetus, and maternal and infant acute morbidity.

Objectives

The Pregnancy, Arsenic, and Immune Response (PAIR) Study was designed to assess whether arsenic exposure and micronutrient deficiencies alter maternal and newborn immunity and acute morbidity following maternal seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy.

Population

The PAIR Study recruited pregnant women across a large rural study area in Gaibandha District, northern Bangladesh, 2018–2019.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal pregnancy and birth cohort.

Methods

We conducted home visits to enrol pregnant women in the late first or early second trimester (11–17 weeks of gestational age). Women received a quadrivalent seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine at enrolment. Follow-up included up to 13 visits between enrolment and 3 months postpartum. Arsenic was measured in drinking water and maternal urine. Micronutrient deficiencies were assessed using plasma biomarkers. Vaccine-specific antibody titres were measured in maternal and infant serum. Weekly telephone surveillance ascertained acute morbidity symptoms in women and infants.

Preliminary Results

We enrolled 784 pregnant women between October 2018 and March 2019. Of 784 women who enrolled, 736 (93.9%) delivered live births and 551 (70.3%) completed follow-up visits to 3 months postpartum. Arsenic was detected (≥0.02 μg/L) in 99.7% of water specimens collected from participants at enrolment. The medians (interquartile ranges) of water and urinary arsenic at enrolment were 5.1 (0.5, 25.1) μg/L and 33.1 (19.6, 56.5) μg/L, respectively. Water and urinary arsenic were strongly correlated (Spearman's ⍴ = 0.72) among women with water arsenic ≥ median but weakly correlated (⍴ = 0.17) among women with water arsenic < median.

Conclusions

The PAIR Study is well positioned to examine the effects of low-moderate arsenic exposure and micronutrient deficiencies on immune outcomes in women and infants. Registration : NCT03930017.     

Awareness and knowledge of HPV,cervical cancer,and vaccines in young women after first delivery in São Paulo,Brazil - a cross-sectional study

Background  

The success of HPV vaccination programs will require awareness regarding HPV associated diseases and the benefits of HPV vaccination for the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical cancer prevention, vaccines, and factors associated with HPV awareness among young women after birth of the first child.     

Evaluating human papillomavirus vaccination programs in Canada: should provincial healthcare pay for voluntary adult vaccination?

Background  

Recently, provincial health programs in Canada and elsewhere have begun rolling out vaccination against human papillomavirus for girls aged 9–13. While vaccination is voluntary, the cost of vaccination is waived, to encourage parents to have their daughters vaccinated. Adult women who are eligible for the vaccine may still receive it, but at a cost of approximately CAN$400. Given the high efficacy and immunogenicity of the vaccine, the possibility of eradicating targeted types of the virus may be feasible, assuming the vaccination programs are undertaken strategically.     

A cost-utility analysis of cervical cancer vaccination in preadolescent Canadian females

Background  

Despite the fact that approximately 70% of Canadian women undergo cervical cancer screening at least once every 3 years, approximately 1,300 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and approximately 380 died from it in 2008. This study estimates the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of vaccinating 12-year old Canadian females with an AS04-adjuvanted cervical cancer vaccine. The indirect effect of vaccination, via herd immunity, is also estimated.     

Levels of diphtheria and tetanus specific IgG of Portuguese adult women,before and after vaccination with adult type Td. Duration of immunity following vaccination

Background  

The need for tetanus toxoid decennial booster doses has been questioned by some experts. Several counter arguments have been presented, supporting the maintenance of decennial adult booster doses with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (adult formulation of the vaccine: Td). This study aimed to evaluate the use of Td in Portuguese adult women under routine conditions. For that purpose we selected a group of women 30+ years of age to which vaccination was recommended. We intended to know if pre-vaccination antibody concentrations were associated with factors as age at first and last vaccination, number of doses and time since last revaccination. We also intended to assess the serological efficacy of Td booster.     

Obesity and Disparities in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for U.S. Adolescent Girls and Young Women

Background

Obesity is recognized as a barrier to receiving women's preventive health services, including cervical and breast cancer screening. Little is known about whether obesity is associated with a lower incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, another important preventive care service for adolescent girls and young women. The objective of this study was to determine if adolescent girls and young women with obesity are less likely to receive HPV vaccination compared with individuals with normal weight.

Trends in Tdap vaccination among privately insured pregnant women in the United States, 2009–2016

Background

Infants younger than 6?months are at increased risk of complications and mortality from pertussis infection. In October 2012, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices revised its recommendation to include a Tdap dose during each pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36?weeks gestation.

Rates of influenza vaccination in older adults and factors associated with vaccine use: A secondary analysis of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging

Background  

Influenza vaccination has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in the older adult population. In Canada, vaccination rates remain suboptimal. We identified factors predictive of influenza vaccination, in order to determine which segments of the older adult population might be targeted to increase coverage in influenza vaccination programs.     

Fathers' intentions to accept human papillomavirus vaccination for sons and daughters: exploratory findings from rural Honduras

Objectives  

Little is known about fathers’ attitudes toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in low-resource settings. We sought to determine the awareness of HPV vaccination among Honduran fathers, and to assess their intention to accept HPV vaccination for their sons and daughters.     

Parental knowledge of paediatric vaccination

Background  

Although routine vaccination is a major tool in the primary prevention of some infectious diseases, there is some reluctance in a proportion of the population. Negative parental perceptions of vaccination are an important barrier to paediatric vaccination. The aim of this study was to investigate parental knowledge of paediatric vaccines and vaccination in Catalonia.     

Acceptance of vaccination during pregnancy: experience with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) in the Netherlands

Objectives

In 2009, the Dutch government advised pregnant women to get vaccinated against influenza A (H1N1). A study was set up to gain insight into vaccination coverage and reasons why pregnant women seek vaccination or not.

Methods

We invited 14,529 pregnant women to complete an internet survey on vaccination during pregnancy in general and against 2009 influenza A (H1N1). Differences in background characteristics between unvaccinated and vaccinated women were investigated. Prediction analyses were carried out to determine which survey statement had the greatest impact on vaccination status or intention to get vaccinated during pregnancy.

Results

Of the 2993 included respondents, 63% reported to be vaccinated against 2009 influenza A (H1N1). Vaccination coverage was higher among older birth cohorts, women who had been pregnant before, women with underlying medical conditions, and women who reported no defined ‘life philosophy’. Protection of the child (after birth), the government's advice and possible harmful effects of the vaccine for the unborn child had the greatest predictive value for vaccination status. With regards vaccination during future pregnancies, 39% had a positive intention to obtain vaccination and 45% were neutral. The government's advice was the strongest predictor for intention. Furthermore, women expressed concern over lack of sufficient knowledge about vaccine safety.

Conclusions

A considerable number of pregnant women in the Netherlands reported to be vaccinated against 2009 influenza A (H1N1). The challenge for the government in the future will be to provide pregnant women and health care professionals with sufficient and clear information about disease severity and the benefits and safety of vaccination.     

Logistics of community smallpox control through contact tracing and ring vaccination: a stochastic network model

Background  

Previous smallpox ring vaccination models based on contact tracing over a network suggest that ring vaccination would be effective, but have not explicitly included response logistics and limited numbers of vaccinators.     

Failure of the vaccination campaign against A(H1N1) influenza in pregnant women in France: Results from a national survey

Background and objective

Pregnant women were a priority group for vaccination during the 2009 A(H1N1) influenza pandemic. In France, vaccination was organized in ad hoc centers. Women received vouchers by mail and were given a non-adjuvanted vaccine. Our objective was to assess the national vaccination rate among pregnant women and to determine the association of vaccination with maternal characteristics, prenatal care, and pregnancy-related health behaviors.

Method

Data came from a national representative sample of women who gave birth in March 2010 (N = 13 453) and were interviewed in the hospital before discharge; they were in the second trimester of pregnancy during the vaccination campaign. Associations between vaccination and socio-demographic and medical characteristics, region of residence, care providers, and preventive behaviors were assessed with bivariable analyses and logistic regression models.

Results

Vaccine coverage was 29.3% (95% CI: 28.6–30.1). The main reason for not being vaccinated was that women did not want this immunization (91%). In adjusted analyses, vaccination was more frequent in women who were older, employed, born in France, with a parity of 1 or 2 and specific favourable health behaviors. The adjusted odds ratio for women with a postgraduate educational level was 4.1 (95% CI: 3.5–4.8) compared to those who did not complete high school. Women with additional risk factors for complications from A(H1N1) infection had a vaccination rate similar to that of other women.

Conclusion

The vaccination campaign resulted in poor vaccination coverage, strong social inequalities, and no special protection for pregnant women at the highest risk of complications. These findings provide essential information for the organization of future vaccination campaigns.     

Assessment of measles immunity among infants in Maputo City,Mozambique

Background  

The optimum age for measles vaccination varies from country to country and thus a standardized vaccination schedule is controversial. While the increase in measles vaccination coverage has produced significant changes in the epidemiology of infection, vaccination schedules have not been adjusted. Instead, measures to cut wild-type virus transmission through mass vaccination campaigns have been instituted. This study estimates the presence of measles antibodies among six- and nine-month-old children and assesses the current vaccination seroconversion by using a non invasive method in Maputo City, Mozambique.     

Implementation and impact of a meningococcal C conjugate vaccination program in 13- to 25-year-old individuals in Galicia,Spain

Background  

In response to increased case numbers of meningococcal group C disease, catch-up vaccination strategies have been shown to be successful. This paper describes the results of a repeat vaccination program in Galicia, Spain, and the strategy used for it.     

Factors associated with influenza vaccination status of residents of a rural community in Japan

Background  

The rate of influenza vaccination in Japan has declined over the past several decades. It is essential to identify community-specific factors that affect attitudes toward vaccination, but such parameters have not yet been fully determined in Japan. The present study used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to identify perceptions of influenza vaccination in a rural Japanese community.     

Influenza vaccination coverage against seasonal and pandemic influenza and their determinants in France: a cross-sectional survey

Background  

Following the emergence of the influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus, the French ministry of health decided to offer free vaccination against pandemic influenza to the entire French population. Groups of people were defined and prioritised for vaccination.     

Influenza vaccination uptake amongst pregnant women and maternal care providers is suboptimal

Objective

To assess the uptake of influenza vaccination by pregnant women and maternity care providers and explore their attitudes towards influenza vaccination.

Design, setting and participants

Cross-sectional survey administered in a Victorian tertiary level public hospital to 337 pregnant women and 96 maternity care providers.

Results

31.3% of patients planned to or had received influenza vaccination this year, but only a quarter had received education about influenza. Women were more likely to receive influenza vaccination if they had been vaccinated in the last two years (RR 4.5, 95% CI: 3.1–6.4, p < 0.001), received education about influenza (RR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.6–3.2, p < 0.001) or believed that they were at high risk of influenza-related complications while pregnant (RR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.7, p < 0.001). While only 56.8% of maternity care providers believed pregnant women were at high risk of influenza-related complications, 72.9% would recommend influenza vaccination to all pregnant women. Of the maternity care providers studied, 69% planned to or had been vaccinated in 2011, with this group more likely to recommend vaccination to their patients (RR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3–3.0, p < 0.001). Significantly more maternity care providers indicated that they would routinely recommend influenza vaccination than the proportion of patients who reported receiving education.

Conclusions

Influenza vaccination rates in pregnant women are low, reflecting inadequate patient education despite most maternity care providers indicating that they would routinely recommend influenza vaccination. Increasing influenza vaccination uptake by women in pregnancy will require better education of both women and maternity care providers.     

Childhood vaccination in informal urban settlements in Nairobi,Kenya: Who gets vaccinated?

Background  

Recent trends in global vaccination coverage have shown increases with most countries reaching 90% DTP3 coverage in 2008, although pockets of undervaccination continue to persist in parts of sub-Saharan Africa particularly in the urban slums. The objectives of this study were to determine the vaccination status of children aged between 12-23 months living in two slums of Nairobi and to identify the risk factors associated with incomplete vaccination.