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European Journal of Paediatric... Jan 2022The evidence relating vaccination to febrile seizures and epilepsy is evaluated with an emphasis on febrile seizures (FS), Dravet syndrome (DS), West syndrome, and other...
INTRODUCTION
The evidence relating vaccination to febrile seizures and epilepsy is evaluated with an emphasis on febrile seizures (FS), Dravet syndrome (DS), West syndrome, and other developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.
METHODS
A systematic literature review using search words vaccination/immunization AND febrile seizures/epilepsy/Dravet/epileptic encephalopathy/developmental encephalopathy was performed. The role of vaccination as the cause/trigger/aggravation factor for FS or epilepsies and preventive measures were analyzed.
RESULTS
From 1428 results, 846 duplicates and 447 irrelevant articles were eliminated; 120 were analyzed.
CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence that vaccinations cause epilepsy in healthy populations. Vaccinations do not cause epileptic encephalopathies but may be non-specific triggers to seizures in underlying structural or genetic etiologies. The first seizure in DS may be earlier in vaccinated versus non-vaccinated patients, but developmental outcome is similar in both groups. Children with a personal or family history of FS or epilepsy should receive all routine vaccinations. This recommendation includes DS. The known risks of the infectious diseases prevented by immunization are well established. Vaccination should be deferred in case of acute illness. Acellular pertussis DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) is recommended. The combination of certain vaccine types may increase the risk of febrile seizures however the public health benefit of separating immunizations has not been proven. Measles-containing vaccine should be administered at age 12-15 months. Routine prophylactic antipyretics are not indicated, as there is no evidence of decreased FS risk and they can attenuate the antibody response following vaccination. Prophylactic measures (preventive antipyretic medication) are recommended in DS due to the increased risk of prolonged seizures with fever.
Topics: Child; Epilepsies, Myoclonic; Epilepsy; Humans; Infant; Seizures, Febrile; Spasms, Infantile; Vaccination
PubMed: 34922162
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.11.014 -
Vaccine Apr 2022Vaccinations are essential for preventing infectious diseases in children with chronic diseases as they have increased risk of infection from frequent use of biologics.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
UNLABELLED
Vaccinations are essential for preventing infectious diseases in children with chronic diseases as they have increased risk of infection from frequent use of biologics. Response to immunizations in this group is not well known.
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review was performed to evaluate three primary outcomes: efficacy; immunogenicity; and safety of vaccines in children with chronic conditions treated with biologics.
METHODS
The protocol for our systematic review and meta-analysis was registered and published with PROSPERO. We searched electronic bibliographic databases for studies published from 2009 to 2019, focusing on vaccinations in children with chronic conditions treated with biologics.
RESULTS
We retrieved 532 records. Thirty-one full-text articles were selected, and 14 were included in the meta-analysis. No significant publication bias was found.
EFFICACY
limited data are available regarding the efficacy of vaccination, as most studies have focused on immunogenicity as surrogate outcome for efficacy. Immunogenicity: patients receiving anti-TNF-alpha therapy had a statistically significant risk of poor seroconversion (p = 0.028) and seroprotection by the serotype B influenza vaccine [inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) p = 0.013; juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) p = 0.004]. We found adequate responses with H1N1 and H3N2 serotypes. Few studies existed for pneumococcal, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, varicella-zoster virus, Measles Mumps Rubella virus, and multiple vaccine administration.
SAFETY
vaccine administration was not associated with serious side effects, but JIA patients on anti-TNF alpha therapy had a statistically significant risk of presenting with myalgia or arthralgia postinfluenza vaccine (p = 0.014).
CONCLUSIONS
More evidence concerning efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of vaccinations is needed to guide physicians in the vaccine decision process for this pediatric population.
Topics: Biological Products; Child; Humans; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
PubMed: 35370019
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.03.041 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Dec 2023Vaccination programs are instrumental in prolonging and improving people's lives by preventing diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and influenza... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vaccination programs are instrumental in prolonging and improving people's lives by preventing diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and influenza from escalating into fatal epidemics. Despite the significant impact of these programs, a substantial number of individuals, including 20 million infants annually, lack sufficient access to vaccines. Therefore, it is imperative to raise awareness about vaccination programs.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the potential utilization of social media, assessing its scalability and robustness in delivering accurate and reliable information to individuals who are contemplating vaccination decisions for themselves or on behalf of their children.
METHODS
The protocol for this review is registered in PROSPERO (identifier CRD42022304229) and is being carried out in compliance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Comprehensive searches have been conducted in databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Google Scholar. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were deemed eligible for inclusion in this study. The target population encompasses the general public, including adults, children, and adolescents. The defined interventions comprise platforms facilitating 2-way communication for sharing information. These interventions were compared against traditional interventions and teaching methods, referred to as the control group. The outcomes assessed in the included studies encompassed days unvaccinated, vaccine acceptance, and the uptake of vaccines compared with baseline. The studies underwent a risk-of-bias assessment utilizing the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for RCTs, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) assessment.
RESULTS
This review included 10 studies, detailed in 12 articles published between 2012 and 2022, conducted in the United States, China, Jordan, Australia, and Israel. The studies involved platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and non-general-purpose social media. The outcomes examined in these studies focused on the uptake of vaccines compared with baseline, vaccine acceptance, and the number of days individuals remained unvaccinated. The overall sample size for this review was 26,286, with individual studies ranging from 58 to 21,592 participants. The effect direction plot derived from articles of good and fair quality indicated a nonsignificant outcome (P=.12).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that, in a real-world scenario, an equal number of positive and negative results may be expected due to the interventions' impact on the acceptance and uptake of vaccines. Nevertheless, there is a rationale for accumulating experience to optimize the use of social media with the aim of enhancing vaccination rates. Social media can serve as a tool with the potential to disseminate information and boost vaccination rates within a population. However, relying solely on social media is not sufficient, given the complex structures at play in vaccine acceptance. Effectiveness hinges on various factors working in tandem. It is crucial that authorized personnel closely monitor and moderate discussions on social media to ensure responsible and accurate information dissemination.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Humans; Infant; Australia; Influenza Vaccines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Social Media; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Vaccination
PubMed: 38147375
DOI: 10.2196/50276 -
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) Oct 2022Transplacental passage of certain biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs leads to detectable levels in the neonate, which may impact on the safety of live vaccines....
OBJECTIVES
Transplacental passage of certain biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs leads to detectable levels in the neonate, which may impact on the safety of live vaccines. Guidelines advise delaying live vaccine administration in biologic-exposed infants until they are 7 months old.
METHODS
A systematic review of Embase, Medline and Cochrane identified live vaccine outcomes in infants exposed to biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs in utero.
RESULTS
Studies included 276 in utero exposures to adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, infliximab, golimumab, tocilizumab and ustekinumab. Live vaccine exposures at <12 months of age included Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) (n = 215), rotavirus (n = 46), and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (n = 12). We identified no reactions following MMR, seven mild reactions to rotavirus vaccination and eight reactions to BCG, including one death. All infants with an adverse reaction to BCG had been exposed to infliximab in utero, and six had received BCG in the first month of life. A freedom of information request to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed four fatal disseminated BCG infections in infants exposed to TNF inhibitors in utero, including infliximab, adalimumab and one unspecified TNF inhibitor.
CONCLUSION
Most evidence for a clinically harmful effect was for early administration of the BCG vaccine to infants exposed in utero to TNF inhibitors with high transplacental transfer rates.
Topics: Adalimumab; Antirheumatic Agents; BCG Vaccine; Etanercept; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infliximab; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; Ustekinumab
PubMed: 35258557
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac141 -
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2015Travel volumes are still increasing resulting in a more interconnected world and fostering the spread of infectious diseases. We aimed to evaluate the relevance of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Travel volumes are still increasing resulting in a more interconnected world and fostering the spread of infectious diseases. We aimed to evaluate the relevance of travel-related measles, a highly transmissible and vaccine-preventable disease.
METHOD
Between 2001 and 2013, surveillance and travel-related measles data were systematically reviewed according to the PRISMA guidelines with extraction of relevant articles from Medline, Embase, GoogleScholar and from public health authorities in the Region of the Americas, Europe and Australia.
RESULTS
From a total of 960 records 44 articles were included and they comprised 2128 imported measles cases between 2001 and 2011. The proportion of imported cases in Europe was low at 1-2%, which reflects the situation in a measles-endemic region. In contrast, imported and import-related measles accounted for up to 100% of all cases in regions with interrupted endemic measles transmission. Eleven air-travel related reports described 132 measles index cases leading to 47 secondary cases. Secondary transmission was significantly more likely to occur if the index case was younger or when there were multiple infectious cases on board. Further spread to health care settings was found. Measles cases associated with cruise ship travel or mass gatherings were sporadically observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Within both, endemic and non-endemic home countries, pretravel health advice should assess MMR immunity routinely to avoid measles spread by nonimmune travelers. To identify measles spread as well as to increase and sustain high vaccination coverages joint efforts of public health specialists, health care practitioners and travel medicine providers are needed.
Topics: Air Travel; Americas; Australia; Europe; Humans; Internationality; Measles; Measles Vaccine; Ships; Travel; Vaccination
PubMed: 25468523
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2014.10.022 -
Expert Review of Vaccines Jul 2020The national and international guidelines recommend evaluating all healthcare workers (HCWs) for their measles immune status and possibly vaccinating those who are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The national and international guidelines recommend evaluating all healthcare workers (HCWs) for their measles immune status and possibly vaccinating those who are seronegative.
AREAS COVERED
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to estimate the rate of measles susceptibility among HCWs in Italy and to explore possible options for the management of those found to be susceptible. Twenty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of HCWs susceptible to measles was 11.5% (95%CI = 8.1-15.4%) and was higher in studies in which prevalence was evaluated by survey (16.7%; 95%CI = 8.9-26.3) than by the direct evaluation of blood specimens (9.1%; 95%CI = 6.2-12.5%). Occupational medicine examinations for measles screening with possible subsequent vaccination of seronegatives and the exclusion of susceptible HCWs from high-risk settings were common management strategies.
EXPERT OPINION
HCWs susceptible to measles are an important epidemiological concern in Italy, and efforts to identify and actively offer the vaccine to this population should be increased.
Topics: Disease Susceptibility; Health Personnel; Humans; Italy; Measles; Measles Vaccine; Occupational Medicine; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prevalence; Vaccination
PubMed: 32608272
DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1791091 -
The Lancet. Global Health Apr 2023To understand the current measles mortality burden, and to mitigate the future burden, it is crucial to have robust estimates of measles case fatalities. Estimates of...
BACKGROUND
To understand the current measles mortality burden, and to mitigate the future burden, it is crucial to have robust estimates of measles case fatalities. Estimates of measles case-fatality ratios (CFRs) that are specific to age, location, and time are essential to capture variations in underlying population-level factors, such as vaccination coverage and measles incidence, which contribute to increases or decreases in CFRs. In this study, we updated estimates of measles CFRs by expanding upon previous systematic reviews and implementing a meta-regression model. Our objective was to use all information available to estimate measles CFRs in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) by country, age, and year.
METHODS
For this systematic review and meta-regression modelling study, we searched PubMed on Dec 31, 2020 for all available primary data published from Jan 1, 1980 to Dec 31, 2020, on measles cases and fatalities occurring up to Dec 31, 2019 in LMICs. We included studies that previous systematic reviews had included or which contained primary data on measles cases and deaths from hospital-based, community-based, or surveillance-based reports, including outbreak investigations. We excluded studies that were not in humans, or reported only data that were only non-primary, or on restricted populations (eg, people living with HIV), or on long-term measles mortality (eg, death from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), and studies that did not include country-level data or relevant information on measles cases and deaths, or were for a high-income country. We extracted summary data on measles cases and measles deaths from studies that fitted our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using these data and a suite of covariates related to measles CFRs, we implemented a Bayesian meta-regression model to produce estimates of measles CFRs from 1990 to 2019 by location and age group. This study was not registered with PROSPERO or otherwise.
FINDINGS
We identified 2705 records, of which 208 sources contained information on both measles cases and measles deaths in LMICS and were included in the review. Between 1990 and 2019, CFRs substantially decreased in both community-based and hospital-based settings, with consistent patterns across age groups. For people aged 0-34 years, we estimated a mean CFR for 2019 of 1·32% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 1·28-1·36) among community-based settings and 5·35% (5·08-5·64) among hospital-based settings. We estimated the 2019 CFR in community-based settings to be 3·03% (UI 2·89-3·16) for those younger than 1 year, 1·63% (1·58-1·68) for age 1-4 years, 0·84% (0·80-0·87) for age 5-9 years, and 0·67% (0·64-0·70) for age 10-14 years.
INTERPRETATION
Although CFRs have declined between 1990 and 2019, there are still large heterogeneities across locations and ages. One limitation of this systematic review is that we were unable to assess measles CFR among particular populations, such as refugees and internally displaced people. Our updated methodological framework and estimates could be used to evaluate the effect of measles control and vaccination programmes on reducing the preventable measles mortality burden.
FUNDING
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the US National Institutes of Health.
Topics: Humans; Developing Countries; Bayes Theorem; Measles; Vaccination; Income; Global Health
PubMed: 36925172
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00043-8 -
Vaccine May 2022The international literature shows good evidence of a significant rate of measles susceptibility among healthcare workers (HCWs). As such, they are an important public... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
The international literature shows good evidence of a significant rate of measles susceptibility among healthcare workers (HCWs). As such, they are an important public health issue.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of susceptible HCWs in EU/EEA countries and in the UK and to explore the characteristics (sex and age differences) and management of those found to be susceptible.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of measles-susceptible HCWs was 13.3% (95 %CI: 10.0-17.0%). In a comparison of serosusceptible female vs. male HCWs, the RR was 0.92 (95 %CI = 0.83-1.03), and in a comparison of age classes (born after vs. before 1980) the RR was 2.78 (95 %CI = 2.20-3.50). The most recent studies proposed the mandatory vaccination of HCWs.
DISCUSSION
According to our meta-analysis, the prevalence of serosusceptible European HCWs is 13%; HCWs born in the post-vaccination era seem to be at higher risk. Healthcare professionals susceptible to measles are a serious epidemiological concern. Greater efforts should therefore be made to identify those who have yet to be vaccinated and actively encourage their vaccination.
Topics: Disease Susceptibility; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Measles; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Vaccination
PubMed: 35491343
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.04.016 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Feb 2017Healthcare Workers (HCWs) have an increased risk both to acquire and to spread vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) both to their colleagues and, especially, to... (Review)
Review
Susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination adherence among healthcare workers in Italy: A cross-sectional survey at a regional acute-care university hospital and a systematic review.
Healthcare Workers (HCWs) have an increased risk both to acquire and to spread vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) both to their colleagues and, especially, to vulnerable patients. The prevention of occupational hazards among HCWs is based on proper adoption of the standard and additional precautions, immunizations, and secondary preventive measures, such as post-exposure prophylaxis. Moreover, HCWs are often referred to as the most trusted source of vaccine-related information for their patients. In the present article, we report the findings of a cross-sectional study investigating the compliance to vaccinations among HCWs employed at the Obstetric Unit of a regional acute-care University Hospital in Northern Italy. Furthermore, a systematic review of the literature for some VPDs (i.e., HBV, measles, rubella, varicella and influenza) was performed, over a 17-year period, in order to update the socio-demographic and professional characteristics, the susceptibility status and the vaccination rates among HCWs in Italy.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Communicable Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Susceptibility; Female; Guideline Adherence; Health Personnel; Hospitals, University; Humans; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Vaccination
PubMed: 27924688
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1264746 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Sep 2022We conducted a systematic review to assess whether measles humoral immunity wanes in previously infected or vaccinated populations in measles elimination settings. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
We conducted a systematic review to assess whether measles humoral immunity wanes in previously infected or vaccinated populations in measles elimination settings.
METHODS
After screening 16 822 citations, we identified 9 articles from populations exposed to wild-type measles and 16 articles from vaccinated populations that met our inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Using linear regression, we found that geometric mean titers (GMTs) decreased significantly in individuals who received 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) by 121.8 mIU/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], -212.4 to -31.1) per year since vaccination over 1 to 5 years, 53.7 mIU/mL (95% CI, -95.3 to -12.2) 5 to 10 years, 33.2 mIU/mL (95% CI, -62.6 to -3.9), 10 to 15 years, and 24.1 mIU/mL (95% CI, -51.5 to 3.3) 15 to 20 years since vaccination. Decreases in GMT over time were not significant after 1 dose of MCV or after infection. Decreases in the proportion of seropositive individuals over time were not significant after 1 or 2 doses of MCV or after infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Measles antibody waning in vaccinated populations should be considered in planning for measles elimination.
Topics: Antibodies, Viral; Humans; Measles; Measles Vaccine; Measles virus; Vaccination
PubMed: 35417025
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac039