Der Internist
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Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), which has been proven to be highly effective and safe, is recommended as part of standard vaccination by the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) for 9‑ to 14-year-old girls and boys. Up to 90% of cervical cancer and its precancerous lesions can be prevented with timely vaccination (before first intercourse). ⋯ The HPV vaccination is the focus of the global initiative of the WHO calling on German health policymakers to significantly increase the immunization coverage of the German population, which is currently only 45-60%. Due to the high immunogenicity and the convincing long-term effects, the goals of eliminating cervical cancer and significantly reducing other HPV-associated cancers are theoretically achievable.
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The abundance of non-cholera Vibrio spp. in the aquatic environment shows a positive correlation with water temperatures. Therefore, climate change has an important impact on the epidemiology of human infections with these pathogens. In recent years large outbreaks have been repeatedly observed during the summer months in temperate climate zones. ⋯ Due to the ongoing global warming an increased incidence of human infections with non-cholera Vibrio spp. must be expected in the future. Medical professionals should be aware of these bacterial pathogens and the potentially life-threatening infections in order to enable timely diagnostics and treatment.
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Influenza is the infectious disease with the highest population-based mortality. It mainly affects those aged 60 years and older, mainly due to immune senescence, which also favors complicated courses and compromises vaccine effectiveness. Therefore, various approaches have been developed for more immunogenic vaccines, which are now available for use. ⋯ The main reasons for this are a lack of confidence in the effectiveness of vaccination, a lack of/restricted risk perception of the disease, and barriers to implementation. Initial approaches to overcoming these barriers, such as low-threshold vaccination services by involving pharmacies, are being implemented. However, further steps are needed to realize the potential of influenza vaccination, especially for such vulnerable groups as older adults.
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Pneumococci are the most frequent bacterial agent of community-acquired pneumonia and are one of the most common vaccine-preventable causes of death worldwide. There is a polysaccharide vaccine that contains the capsular polysaccharides of 23 of the more than 90 known serotypes. PPV23 confers good protection against invasive pneumococcal infections but does not stimulate T cells and thus leaves no immunologic memory. ⋯ Initially for young children and later for adults, a 13 valent conjugate vaccine was licensed that covers fewer serotypes but leaves immunologic memory and mediates mucosal immunity, i.e. by eradicating healthy pneumococcal carriers, and thus has herd-protective effects. The German Standing Commission on Vaccination Practices (STIKO) currently recommends PPV23 for indication vaccination in various comorbidities and as standard vaccination for all above 60 years with repeat vaccination after 6 years at the earliest. Patients with immunosuppression, chronic renal failure or chronic liver failure should receive a sequential vaccination (first PCV13 followed by PPV23 after 6-12 months) due to the limited efficacy of PPV23 and their increased risk for infection.