Vaccine
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Rotavirus (RV) causes a highly contagious gastroenteritis especially in children under five years of age. Since 2006 two RV-vaccines are available in Europe (Rotarix(®) and RotaTeq(®)). To support informed decision-making within the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) the cost-effectiveness of these two vaccines was evaluated for the German healthcare setting. ⋯ Our analyses demonstrate that routine RV-vaccination could prevent a substantial number of RV-cases and hospitalizations in the German healthcare system, but the saved treatment costs are counteracted by costs for vaccination. However, with vaccine prices reduced by ∼62-66%, RV-vaccination could even become a cost-saving preventive measure.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Safety and immunogenicity of three different formulations of an adjuvanted varicella-zoster virus subunit candidate vaccine in older adults: a phase II, randomized, controlled study.
This study investigated the safety and immunogenicity of different formulations and schedules of a candidate subunit herpes zoster vaccine containing varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE) with or without the adjuvant system AS01B. ⋯ The three formulations of gE/AS01B were immunogenic and well tolerated in adults aged ≥60years. Two vaccinations with gE/AS01B induced higher immune responses than one and the dose of gE impacted humoral but not cellular immune responses (NCT00434577).
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The objective of this study was to systematically review cost-effectiveness studies of vaccination against herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). ⋯ Most studies included in this review shows that vaccination against HZ is likely to be cost-effective. Future research addressing key model parameters and cost-effectiveness studies in other parts of the world are needed.
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There is a growing body of evidence on the risks and benefits of influenza vaccination in various target groups. Systematic reviews are of particular importance for policy decisions. However, their methodological quality can vary considerably. ⋯ Systematic reviews on influenza vaccination showed large differences regarding their methodological quality. Reviews conducted by the Cochrane collaboration were of higher quality than others. When using systematic reviews to guide the development of vaccination recommendations, the methodological quality of a review in addition to its content should be considered.
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Observational Study
Clinical features of adults with seven-valent-conjugated-vaccine-serotype pneumococcal pneumonia.
Despite the reduction in adult invasive pneumococcal disease through 'herd protection' consequent to the introduction of childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV), a significant proportion of adults continue to develop pneumococcal pneumonia caused by one of the seven serotypes included in the seven-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7). The clinical features and outcomes of these adults have not been previously reported. ⋯ A significant proportion of adults continue to develop PCV7-serotype CAP in the era of childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. These adults are more likely to have stroke and dementia as underlying co-morbid illnesses, and have a higher 30-day mortality. A combination of pneumococcal transmission factors, host factors and pneumococcal serotype specific characteristics are likely to explain these findings.