Immunisation Horizon Scanning Volume 5 Issue 12

Meningitis care costs more than vaccine, mother claims

Source: BBC News

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Date of publication: December 2013

Publication Type: Audio Interview

In a nutshell: Campaigners have called on the government to allow meningitis B immunisation on the NHS. Doctors who advise the government say that rolling out the vaccine, called Bexsero, is not cost effective. However Julie Jenkins, whose son Louie had his legs and fingers amputated after contracting the disease, claims the after effects of meningitis are far more expensive.

 

Reduction in HPV 16/18 prevalence in sexually active young women following the introduction of HPV immunisation in England

Source: Vaccine, 32 (1), 17 December 2013, Pages 26–32

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Date of publication: December 2013

Publication Type: Article

In a nutshell: Highlights: • We monitor HPV infection in sexually active young women in England; • The prevalence of HPV 16/18 has reduced within 3 years of HPV immunisation; • Reductions in HPV 16/18 were greatest at ages with highest immunisation coverage; • The data suggest reductions in HPV 16/18 amongst unvaccinated young women and men.

Length of publication: 6-page article

Seasonal influenza – Clinical review

Source: GP Online

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Date of publication: October 2013

Publication Type: News

In a nutshell: The 2013/14 flu season is here. Consultant in respiratory and intensive care medicine, Dr Christopher Bassford and Dr Dawn Matthews discuss circulating strains, vaccines and antivirals.

Length of publication: 1-page news story

Can vaccine legacy explain the British pertussis resurgence?

Source: Vaccine, 31 (49), 2 December 2013, Pages 5903–5908

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Date of publication: December 2013

Publication Type: Article

In a nutshell: Highlights: • Pertussis incidence has been rising in several countries with sustained high vaccine coverage, including England and Wales; • We parameterized an age-structured pertussis model with contact patterns and vaccine uptake data from England and Wales; • The legacies of past vaccination rates and disease incidence remain in a population’s immunological signature for decades; • A history of incomplete vaccine coverage has the potential to generate a gradual resurgence in adult and adolescent cases.

Length of publication: 5-page article

Student nurses’ intention to get the influenza vaccine

Source: British Journal of Nursing, 22 (21), 27 Nov 2013, pp 1207 – 1211

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Date of publication: November 2013

Publication Type: Article

In a nutshell: Introduction: There is no national or international recommendation for nursing students to receive the influenza vaccine. Nurses are among the group of health professionals who traditionally have a low uptake of the vaccine and who arguably have the closest contact with patients. Conclusion: Student nurses do not have strong intentions to get the vaccine. Results serve to guide future educational and occupational health initiatives, which would benefit from a framework based on TPB.

Length of publication: 5-page article

Improving influenza vaccine uptake in frontline staff

Source: British Journal of Nursing, 22 (21), 27 Nov 2013, pp 1214 – 1220

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Date of publication: November 2013

Publication Type: Article

In a nutshell: Influenza is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease causing significant morbidity and mortality among high-risk groups. Immunization of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in the NHS is thought to be beneficial in reducing subclinical infection, staff sickness absences and protects patients. Each year Public Health England launches the Seasonal Flu Campaign to help reduce influenza transmission by reinforcing the message that it is vital that frontline HCWs get vaccinated. Public Health produces figures on frontline workers who have been vaccinated annually. The 2011/2012 campaign showed uptake figures of the influenza vaccine was averaging 44.6% nationally. The efforts of an NHS trust to increase staff uptake of the annual seasonal flu vaccination programme has been highly commended as it achieved an impressive 68.7% uptake against a target of 70%. This article shows how the trust worked hard to improve uptake on flu vaccinations for HCWs during the 2012/2013 flu season. Recognised as a Top Improver by NHS Employers (2013) for vaccination uptake, the Trust identifies how measures can be adopted to improve vaccination rates and what barriers can prevent total compliance. High rates of HCW vaccination can benefit staff, patients and the communities within which they work and live.

Length of publication: 6-page article

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