Immunisation Horizon Scanning Volume 3 Issue 8

European measles outbreak spreads to Britain

Source: The Telegraph

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Date of publication: September 2011

Publication Type: News-Item

In a nutshell: Large outbreaks of measles across the continent have spread to Britain, new figures indicate, with more than twice as many cases so far this year as occurred in the whole of 2010.

Length of publication: 1-page news-item

HPV vaccination among ethnic minorities in the UK: knowledge, acceptability and attitudes

Source: British Journal of Cancer, 2011 Aug 9;105(4):486-92.

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Date of publication: August 2011

Publication Type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination offers a unique opportunity for the primary prevention of cervical cancer. Studies suggest that knowledge and attitudes about the vaccine are likely to influence uptake. One limitation of most studies assessing HPV vaccine knowledge, attitudes and acceptability is their under representation of ethnic minorities. It is important to ensure that our understanding of HPV knowledge and attitudes include all ethnic groups in the UK. This article reviews research that has considered knowledge, acceptability and attitudes about HPV and the HPV vaccine among ethnic minorities in the UK. CONCLUSION: Findings seem to suggest lower awareness of HPV and lower acceptability of the vaccination, which could be important if they are reflected in uptake. More research is needed with ethnic minority groups, particularly in the context of the vaccination programme.

Length of publication: 7-page article

HPV jab: doctors call for teenage girls to be given more effective vaccine against sexual disease

Source: The Guardian

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Date of publication: October 2011

Publication Type: News-Item

In a nutshell: Doctors are urging ministers to mount a sustained attack on the UK’s most common sexually-transmitted infection by immunising 12- and 13-year-old schoolgirls against genital warts.

Length of publication: 1-page news-item

Cervical cancer vaccine: NHS choice questioned

Source: BBC News

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Date of publication: September 2011

Publication Type: News-Item

In a nutshell: The UK government may have chosen the least cost-effective vaccine to immunise teenage girls against viruses that cause cervical cancer, a data study suggests.

Length of publication: 1-page news-item

Onus is on doctors to encourage patients to have the flu jab

Source: British Medical Journal, 2011; 343 (Published 26 September 2011)

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Date of publication: September 2011

Publication Type: News-Item

In a nutshell: The government is eschewing a major public information campaign and is instead urging doctors, other health professionals, and charities in England to encourage people in high risk groups to be vaccinated against influenza.

Length of publication: 1-page news-item

Improving MMR vaccination rates: herd immunity is a realistic goal

Source: British Medical Journal, 2011; 343 (Published 4 October 2011)

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Date of publication: October 2011

Publication Type: Quality Improvement Report

In a nutshell: As measles is a highly infectious disease, the United Kingdom recommendation is for at least 95% of children to receive a first vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine before age 2 years and a booster before age 5 years to achieve herd immunity and prevent outbreaks. Reported vaccination rates for England have improved since a low level in 2003-4. Coverage for London is consistently lower than for England, however, and concerns have been expressed that there could be an epidemic of measles in the capital.

Length of publication: 6-page report

Perceptions of HPV Vaccine Amongst UK University Students

Source: Health Education, 2011; 111(6)

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Date of publication: September 2011

Publication Type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Purpose – The aim of this small-scale focus group study is to explore the impact the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine has on attitudes towards HPV, cervical cancer and sexual risk taking amongst university students in the UK.  Findings – Participants saw HPV as being distinct from genital warts. This led to a duality in their view of the vaccine. They accepted it as a cancer vaccine for school girls but viewed it as an STI vaccine in relation to themselves. They believed this would cause sexual complacency. There was a fear that the HPV vaccine would reinforce gender bias as females are seen as being responsible for sexual health…

Length of publication: 37-page article.

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