Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Feb 2018
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyMF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine (FLUAD®) elicits higher immune responses than a non-adjuvanted influenza vaccine (Fluzone®): A randomized, multicenter, Phase III pediatric trial in Mexico.
The poor immune response elicited by trivalent influenza vaccines (TIVs) in children can be enhanced by the addition of adjuvants. This observer-blind, randomized Phase III trial assessed the immunogenicity and safety of the MF59-adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine FLUAD® (aTIV) and a non-adjuvanted TIV, in healthy children (aged 6 to <72 months) from 3 centers in Mexico, during the 2014-2015 season. The primary objectives were to assess the non-inferiority of aTIV to TIV, measured by geometric mean titers (GMTs), and the safety of aTIV and TIV. ⋯ No deaths, serious AEs, or AEs leading to premature withdrawal were reported. Overall, aTIV was highly immunogenic and was well tolerated in healthy children 6 to <72 months of age. These results indicate that aTIV may be a beneficial addition to national pediatric vaccination programs.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Feb 2018
An analysis of factors associated with influenza, pneumoccocal, Tdap, and herpes zoster vaccine uptake in the US adult population and corresponding inter-state variability.
Despite longstanding recommendations for routine vaccination against influenza; pneumococcal; tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap); and herpes zoster (HZ) among the United States general adult population, vaccine uptake remains low. Understanding factors that influence adult vaccination and coverage variability beyond the national level are important steps toward developing targeted strategies for increasing vaccination coverage. A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2011-2014). ⋯ Model-adjusted compliance with age-appropriate recommendations across vaccines was low and also varied by state: influenza+Tdap (aged 18-59 years) 7.9-24.7%; influenza+Tdap+HZ (aged 60-64 years) 4.1-14.4%; and influenza+Tdap+HZ+pneumococcal (aged ≥65 years) 3.0-18.3%. In summary, after adjusting for individual characteristics associated with vaccination, substantial heterogeneity across states remained, suggesting that other local factors (e.g. state policies) may be impacting adult vaccines uptake. Further research is needed to understand such factors, focusing on differences between states with high versus low vaccination coverage.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Feb 2018
Awareness of and willingness to be vaccinated by human papillomavirus vaccine among junior middle school students in Jinan, China.
Willingness to be vaccinated with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among junior middle school students in China is not well understood. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine and explore the factors associated with willingness to be vaccinated. ⋯ Awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine among junior students was low, however willingness to be vaccinated was high. Education focusing on HPV-related knowledge in addition to sex education is needed to promote the coverage of the HPV vaccine.
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Addressing the drivers of vaccine hesitancy and the barriers to vaccine acceptance is a complex but important task. While the percentage of hesitant does vary from country to country and in time few, if any, countries are ever free from this problem. ⋯ Immunization program managers and health care workers need to become adept at recognizing and tackling hesitancy in all of its incarnations if high levels of vaccine acceptance are to be achieved but must also actively support immunization acceptors in order to build and support vaccine acceptance resiliency. This paper presents evidence-informed strategies to achieve these goals.
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Hum Vaccin Immunother · Jan 2018
Reporting of adverse events following immunizations in Ghana - Using disproportionality analysis reporting ratios.
Timely reporting of safety information post vaccination is pivotal for the success of any vaccination program. Reports of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) of 6 different vaccinations from Ghana were analysed for signals. ⋯ These results underscore the competency of public health systems in sub-Saharan African countries (like Ghana) to identify most frequently occurring and important vaccine related safety issues.