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Journal of Travel Medicine Dec 2023Pregnant women and their babies face significant risks from three vaccine-preventable diseases: COVID-19, influenza and pertussis. However, despite these vaccines'... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pregnant women and their babies face significant risks from three vaccine-preventable diseases: COVID-19, influenza and pertussis. However, despite these vaccines' proven safety and effectiveness, uptake during pregnancy remains low.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023399488; January 2012-December 2022 following PRISMA guidelines) of interventions to increase COVID-19/influenza/pertussis vaccination in pregnancy. We searched nine databases, including grey literature. Two independent investigators extracted data; discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models to estimate pooled effect sizes. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics.
RESULTS
From 2681 articles, we identified 39 relevant studies (n = 168 262 participants) across nine countries. Fifteen studies (39%) were randomized controlled trials (RCTs); the remainder were observational cohort, quality-improvement or cross-sectional studies. The quality of 18% (7/39) was strong. Pooled results of interventions to increase influenza vaccine uptake (18 effect estimates from 12 RCTs) showed the interventions were effective but had a small effect (risk ratio = 1.07, 95% CI 1.03, 1.13). However, pooled results of interventions to increase pertussis vaccine uptake (10 effect estimates from six RCTs) showed no clear benefit (risk ratio = 0.98, 95% CI 0.94, 1.03). There were no relevant RCTs for COVID-19. Interventions addressed the 'three Ps': patient-, provider- and policy-level strategies. At the patient level, clear recommendations from healthcare professionals backed by text reminders/written information were strongly associated with increased vaccine uptake, especially tailored face-to-face interventions, which addressed women's concerns, dispelled myths and highlighted benefits. Provider-level interventions included educating healthcare professionals about vaccines' safety and effectiveness and reminders to offer vaccinations routinely. Policy-level interventions included financial incentives, mandatory vaccination data fields in electronic health records and ensuring easy availability of vaccinations.
CONCLUSIONS
Interventions had a small effect on increasing influenza vaccination. Training healthcare providers to promote vaccinations during pregnancy is crucial and could be enhanced by utilizing mobile health technologies.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Influenza, Human; Influenza Vaccines; Whooping Cough; COVID-19; Vaccination
PubMed: 37934788
DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad138 -
BMJ Global Health Oct 2023Maternal vaccination is a promising strategy to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases for mothers and infants. We aimed to provide an up-to-date overview of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Maternal vaccination is a promising strategy to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases for mothers and infants. We aimed to provide an up-to-date overview of the efficacy and safety of all available maternal vaccines.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL and ClinicalTrials.gov on 1 February 2022, for phase III and IV randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared maternal vaccination against any pathogen with placebo or no vaccination. Primary outcomes were laboratory-confirmed or clinically confirmed disease in mothers and infants. Secondary safety outcomes included intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirth, maternal death, preterm birth, congenital malformations and infant death. Random effects meta-analysis were used to calculate pooled risk ratio's (RR). Quality appraisal was performed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).
RESULTS
Six RCTs on four maternal vaccines, influenza, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), pneumococcal and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were eligible. The overall risk of bias and certainty of evidence varied from low to high. Maternal influenza vaccination significantly reduced the number of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.79, event rate 57 vs 98, 2 RCTs, n=6003, I=0%), and clinically confirmed influenza cases in mothers (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.99, event rate 418 vs 472, 2 RCTs, n=6003, I=0%), and laboratory-confirmed influenza in infants (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.85, event rate 98 vs 148, 2 RCTs, n=5883, I=0%), although this was not significant for clinically confirmed influenza in infants (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.05, event rate 1371 vs 1378, 2 RCTs, n=5883, I=0%). No efficacy data were available on maternal Tdap vaccination. Maternal pneumococcal vaccination did not reduce laboratory-confirmed and clinically confirmed middle ear disease (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.02, event rate 9 vs 18, 1 RCT, n=133 and RR 0.88 95% CI 0.69 to 1.12, event rate 42 vs 47, 1 RCT, n=133, respectively), and clinically confirmed lower-respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.43, event rate 18 vs 34, 1 RCT, n=70) in infants. Maternal RSV vaccination did not reduce laboratory-confirmed RSV LRTI in infants (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.01, event rate 103 vs 71, 1 RCT, n=4527). There was no evidence of a significant effect of any of the maternal vaccines on the reported safety outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
The few RCTs with low event rates suggest that, depending on the type of maternal vaccine, the vaccine might effectively prevent disease and within its size does not show safety concerns in mothers and infants.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021235115.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Infant; Influenza, Human; Influenza Vaccines; Mothers; Vaccination; Respiratory Tract Infections; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37899087
DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012376 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Aug 2023A 20-month-old girl was diagnosed with Guillain - Barré syndrome (GBS) based on progressive muscle weakness, areflexia, and albuminocytologic dissociation of the...
A 20-month-old girl was diagnosed with Guillain - Barré syndrome (GBS) based on progressive muscle weakness, areflexia, and albuminocytologic dissociation of the cerebrospinal fluid. Despite timely and systematic treatment, she eventually became paralyzed. There is a temporal correlation between the girl's GBS and the DTaP vaccination, but the exact causal relationship between the two is still debatable. Furthermore, we summarized clinical features of other 45 published GBS cases after DTP vaccines (or vaccine substances containing tetanus) through a systematic review. The mean onset age, sex distribution, onset time after vaccination, detection of antiganglioside antibodies, and other basic clinical features of GBS after DTP vaccination (or vaccine substances containing tetanus) were analyzed. The temporal pattern of GBS after vaccination was similar to that of GBS after infection. Herein, we report this rare case of presumptive pediatric GBS after DTaP vaccination and review similar cases to draw the attention of medical personnel to similar events after vaccination. An association between DTP vaccines and GBS has been proposed, and the causal relationship between these two incidents are worthy further exploration. Moreover, surveillance and vigilance for GBS after vaccination are highly recommended.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; Guillain-Barre Syndrome
PubMed: 37753771
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2261199 -
Vaccine Sep 2023Countries routinely offering acellular pertussis vaccine, where long-term protection is not sustained, have the challenge of selecting an optimal schedule to minimise... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Countries routinely offering acellular pertussis vaccine, where long-term protection is not sustained, have the challenge of selecting an optimal schedule to minimise disease among young infants. We conducted a narrative systematic review and synthesis of information to evaluate different pertussis immunisation strategies at controlling pertussis disease, hospitalisation, deaths, and vaccine effectiveness among young infants.
METHODS
We conducted a review of the literature on studies about the primary, booster, and/or maternal vaccination series and synthesised findings narratively. Countries offering the first three doses of vaccine within six-months of life and a booster on or before the second year or life were defined as accelerated primary and booster schedules, respectively. Countries offering primary and booster doses later were defined as extended primary and booster schedules. All search results were screened, and articles reviewed and reconciled, by two authors. The Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Intervention tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias.
FINDINGS
A total of 98 studies were included in the analyses and the following recurring themes were described: timing of vaccination, vaccine coverage, waning immunity/vaccine effectiveness, direct and indirect effectiveness, switching from an accelerated to extended schedule, impact of changes in testing. The risk of bias was generally low to moderate for most studies.
CONCLUSION
Comparing schedules is challenging and there was insufficient evidence to that one schedule was superior to another. Countries must select a schedule that maintains high vaccine coverage and reduced the risk of delaying the delivery vaccines to protect infants.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Whooping Cough; Vaccination; Evidence Gaps; Family; Hospitalization
PubMed: 37658001
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.08.073 -
Vaccines Jul 2023COVID-19 caused significant morbidity and mortality amongst ethnic minority groups, but vaccine uptake remained lower than non-minoritised groups. Interventions to... (Review)
Review
COVID-19 caused significant morbidity and mortality amongst ethnic minority groups, but vaccine uptake remained lower than non-minoritised groups. Interventions to increase vaccine uptake among ethnic minority communities are crucial. This systematic review synthesises and evaluates behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in interventions to increase vaccination uptake in ethnic minority populations. We searched five databases and grey literature sources. From 7637 records identified, 23 studies were included in the review. Interventions were categorised using the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and Behaviour Change Taxonomy v1. Vaccines included influenza, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, meningitis and hepatitis. Interventions were primarily delivered in health centres/clinics and community settings. Six BCW intervention functions and policy categories and 26 BCTs were identified. The main intervention functions used were education, persuasion and enablement. Overall, effective interventions had multi-components and were tailored to specific populations. No strong evidence was observed to recommend specific interventions, but raising awareness and involvement of community organisations was associated with positive effects. Several strategies are used to increase vaccine uptake among ethnic minority communities; however, these do not address all issues related to low vaccine acceptance. There is a strong need for an increased understanding of addressing vaccine hesitancy among ethnic minority groups.
PubMed: 37515074
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071259 -
Italian Journal of Pediatrics Jul 2023Robust routine immunization schedules for pertussis-containing vaccines have been applied for years, but pertussis outbreaks remain a worldwide problem. This study aimed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Robust routine immunization schedules for pertussis-containing vaccines have been applied for years, but pertussis outbreaks remain a worldwide problem. This study aimed to investigate the association between vaccine hesitancy and pertussis in infants and children.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, and China National Knowledge Internet for studies published between January 2012 and June 2022. This study included case-control and cohort studies that assessed the association between childhood/maternal vaccine hesitancy and odds ratios (ORs), risk ratios (RRs), and vaccine effectiveness (VE) related to pertussis in infants and children [Formula: see text] 9 years old. ORs/VEs with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used for appropriate pooled estimates, and heterogeneity was assessed using [Formula: see text]. Cumulative meta-analysis and subgroup analyses stratified by study characteristics were performed.
RESULTS
Twenty-two studies were included, with a mean quality score of 7.0 (range 6.0-9.0). Infants and children with pertussis were associated with higher vaccine hesitancy to all doses (OR = 4.12 [95% CI: 3.09-5.50]). The highest OR was between children who were unvaccinated over four doses and children who were fully vaccinated (OR = 14.26 [95%CI: 7.62-26.70]); childhood vaccine delay was not statistically significantly associated with pertussis risk (OR = 1.18 [95% CI: 0.74-1.89]). Maternal vaccine hesitancy was associated with significantly higher pertussis risk in infants aged 2 and 3 months old, with higher pertussis ORs in infants [Formula: see text] 2 months old (OR = 6.02 [95%CI: 4.31-8.50], OR = 5.14 [95%CI: 1.95-13.52] for infants [Formula: see text] 2 and [Formula: see text] 3 months old, respectively). Maternal and childhood VEs were high in reducing pertussis infection in infants and children. The administration time of maternal vaccination had little effect on VE.
CONCLUSION
Vaccine hesitancy increased pertussis risks in infants and children. Ensuring that children receive up-to-date pertussis vaccines is essential; short delays in receiving childhood vaccinations may be unimportant. Maternal vaccinations for pertussis should be encouraged.
Topics: Child; Infant; Humans; Whooping Cough; Vaccination Hesitancy; Vaccination; Immunization Schedule; Vaccines
PubMed: 37443026
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-023-01495-8 -
International Journal of Medical... Aug 2023Acute respiratory diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Cough is a common symptom of acute respiratory diseases and the sound of cough can... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Acute respiratory diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Cough is a common symptom of acute respiratory diseases and the sound of cough can be indicative of the respiratory disease. However, cough sound assessment in routine clinical practice is limited to human perception and the skills of the clinician. Objective cough sound evaluation has the potential to aid clinicians in acute respiratory disease diagnosis. In this systematic review, we assess and summarize the predictive ability of machine learning algorithms in analyzing cough sounds of acute respiratory diseases in the pediatric population.
METHOD
Our systematic search of the Scopus, Medline, and Embase databases on 25 January 2023 identified six articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the checklist for the assessment of medical artificial intelligence.
RESULTS
Our analysis shows variability in the input to the machine learning algorithms, such as the use of various cough sound features and combining cough sound features with clinical features. The use of the machine learning algorithms also varies from conventional algorithms, such as logistic regression and support vector machine, to deep learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks. The classification accuracy for the detection of bronchiolitis, croup, pertussis, and pneumonia across five articles is in the range of 82-96%. However, a significant drop is observed in the detection accuracy for bronchiolitis and pneumonia in the remaining article.
CONCLUSION
The number of articles is limited but, in general, the predictive ability of cough sound classification algorithms in childhood acute respiratory diseases shows promise.
Topics: Child; Humans; Cough; Artificial Intelligence; Algorithms; Pneumonia; Bronchiolitis; Machine Learning
PubMed: 37224643
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2023.105093 -
Revista Espanola de Salud Publica Mar 2023Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases are a cause of morbidity and mortality in transplanted children. The main objective of this study was to synthesize the available... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases are a cause of morbidity and mortality in transplanted children. The main objective of this study was to synthesize the available evidence of vaccination coverage in children and adolescents who are candidates or transplant recipients and to analyze beliefs, attitudes, and experiences about vaccination.
METHODS
A mixed-methods systematic review was performed (Open Science Framework registration: https://osf.io/auqn3/). Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, IBECS and LILACS (from January 2000 to August 2021) and in gray literature. Quantitative and qualitative studies reported information on coverage, beliefs, attitudes and/or experiences about recommended vaccines in children who are candidates or recipients of solid organ or hematopoietic progenitor transplantation. Quality assessment was undertaken using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A narrative synthesis of the studies was carried out.
RESULTS
A total of thirty-two studies in thirty-five publications were included. The most studied interventions were vaccines against measles (n=21; 66%) and hepatitis B (n=20; 62%). Vaccination rates showed a high variability for the most represented vaccines (specifically, 2%-100% for measles, 0.4%-100% for hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and rubella), with coverages lower than 90% in at least 70% of the studies. The lowest rates were reported in post-transplantation and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Only one qualitative study was identified reporting information on beliefs and/or attitudes, although nine quantitative studies explored cognitive aspects.
CONCLUSIONS
This review shows a high variability in vaccination coverage in children and adolescents who are transplant candidates or recipients, with rates lower than those recommended. Further studies would be needed to identify beliefs and attitudes about immunization in this context.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Vaccination Coverage; Spain; Vaccines; Vaccination; Measles; Hepatitis B; Attitude
PubMed: 36999242
DOI: No ID Found -
Toxins Feb 2023As a tribute to Louis Pasteur on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of his birth, this article summarizes the main contributions of scientists from Pasteur Institutes... (Review)
Review
As a tribute to Louis Pasteur on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of his birth, this article summarizes the main contributions of scientists from Pasteur Institutes to the current knowledge of toxins produced by . The article therefore focuses on publications authored by researchers from Pasteur Institutes and is not intended as a systematic review of toxins. Besides identifying as the causative agent of whooping cough, Pasteurians have made several major contributions with respect to the structure-function relationship of the lipo-oligosaccharide, adenylyl cyclase toxin and pertussis toxin. In addition to contributing to the understanding of these toxins' mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels and their role in pathogenesis, scientists at Pasteur Institutes have also exploited potential applications of the gathered knowledge of these toxins. These applications range from the development of novel tools to study protein-protein interactions over the design of novel antigen delivery tools, such as prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine candidates against cancer and viral infection, to the development of a live attenuated nasal pertussis vaccine. This scientific journey from basic science to applications in the field of human health matches perfectly with the overall scientific objectives outlined by Louis Pasteur himself.
Topics: Humans; Bordetella pertussis; Whooping Cough; Pertussis Toxin; Virulence Factors, Bordetella; Adenylate Cyclase Toxin; Pertussis Vaccine
PubMed: 36977067
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030176 -
Campbell Systematic Reviews Sep 2022Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective interventions to prevent and control life-threatening infectious diseases. Nonetheless, rates of routine vaccination of... (Review)
Review
Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective interventions to prevent and control life-threatening infectious diseases. Nonetheless, rates of routine vaccination of children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are strikingly low or stagnant. In 2019, an estimated 19.7 million infants did not receive routine immunisations. Community engagement interventions are increasingly being emphasised in international and national policy frameworks as a means to improve immunisation coverage and reach marginalised communities. This systematic review examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community engagement interventions on outcomes related to childhood immunisation in LMICs and identifies contextual, design and implementation features that may be associated with effectiveness. We identified 61 quantitative and mixed methods impact evaluations and 47 associated qualitative studies related to community engagement interventions for inclusion in the reteview. For cost-effectiveness analysis 14 of the 61 studies had the needed combination of cost and effectiveness data. The 61 included impact evaluations were concentrated in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa and spread across 19 LMICs. The review found that community engagement interventions had a small but significant, positive effect on all primary immunisation outcomes related to coverage and their timeliness. The findings are robust to exclusion of studies assessed as high risk of bias. Qualitative evidence indicates appropriate intervention design, including building in community engagement features; addressing common contextual barriers of immunisation and leveraging facilitators; and accounting for existing implementation constraints and practicalities on the ground are consistently cited as reasons for intervention success. Among the studies for which we were able to calculate cost-effectiveness, we find that the median non-vaccine cost per dose of intervention to increase immunisation coverage by 1% was US $3.68. Given the broad scope of the review in terms of interventions and outcomes, there is significant variation in findings. Among the various types of community engagement interventions, those that involve creation of community buy-in or development of new cadres of community-based structures were found to have consistent positive effect on more primary vaccination coverage outcomes than if the engagement is limited to the design or delivery of an intervention or is a combination of the various types. The evidence base for sub-group analysis for female children was sparse (only two studies) and the effect on coverage of both full immunisation and third dose of diphtheria pertussis tetanus for this group was insignificant.
PubMed: 36913200
DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1253