Search results for " vaccination"
showing 10 items of 226 documents
Invasive meningococcal disease in Italy: from analysis of national data to an evidence-based vaccination strategy
2020
Introduction. Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is one of the most severe vaccine-preventable diseases not yet under control. In Italy, although different anti-meningococcal vaccines are available, their offer among regions is heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of IMD in Italy based on analysis of national surveillance data for 2011–2017 to optimize the vaccination strategy. Methods: IMD surveillance data from the Italian National Health Institute were analysed. Microsoft Excel was used to present trend analysis, stratifying by age and serogroups. Results: In Italy, during the period 2011–2017, the incidence of IMD increased from 0.25 cases/100,000 inhab…
[Alert for meningitis in Palermo? Successful strategies to counteract the impact of mass media]
2018
Following two invasive meningococcal disease cases among twenties, general population overloaded vaccination Units of the Palermo's District during summer 2016. Sicilian Health Authorities adopted several public health strategies including: a) active meningococcal vaccination free of charge for people from 18 up to 30 years of age, b) information in crowded places and rapid communication by media. An increase in anti-meningococcal vaccination doses administered (+868%) as well as in anti-dTp and HPV vaccination (+41% and +8%, respectively) due to a further catch-up was observed.
Sociodemographic and psychological correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in the young adult population in Italy.
2021
Background: Previous research has shown that young adults are more hesitant/resistant to COVID-19 vaccine uptake than older age groups, although the factors underlying this tendency are still under debate. The current study aimed to identify the sociodemographic and psychological correlates of vaccine hesitancy and resistance among young adults (18–40 years) during the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Italy, the first country after China being hit by the pandemic and which suffered a large number of fatalities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, web-based study conducted in Italy using an ISO-certified international survey company (respondi.com). Data were collected on 1200 part…
Exploring the effectiveness of the Digital Green Certificate Law as Public Health instrument to increase anti-COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of wor…
2022
Counteracting vaccine hesitancy should be considered an absolute priority for Public Health Authorities. A correct health communication represents one of the best ways to increase adhesion to vaccination among hesitant population. In order to increase vaccination coverage rates against COVID-19, the Italian government has issued a legislative decree with a mandatory “Digital Green Certificate” (DGC) to access workplaces for some categories considered at risk. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study with the aim to highlight the factors associated with the anti-COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and to estimate the influence of the introduction by law of the Digital Green Certificate (DGC) on…
Awareness of HPV infection and attitudes toward HPV vaccination among Latvian adolescents
2016
Objective\ud To evaluate awareness of HPV and its vaccine among Latvian adolescents.\ud \ud Methods\ud A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in a 2‐week period in September 2015 among 270 adolescents attending a secondary school in Riga, Latvia. All students present during sexual‐health classes (grades 10–12 [aged 16–21 years]) were included. A self‐administered paper‐based survey assessed sociodemographic factors, sexual behaviours, smear history and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections, HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge, and sources of information.\ud \ud Results\ud Overall, 121 surveys were completed (62 by male students and 59 by female students). Latvian adolescents lacked awarene…
Pregnant women as a sentinel population to target and implement hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine coverage: a three-year survey in Palermo, Sicily.
2004
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine coverage was assessed using serologic patterns of infection (HBsAg, anti HBc) and vaccine-induced immunity (isolated anti HBs) among 3318 pregnant women attending the Obstetrical Unit of the University Hospital in Palermo who were screened over 3 years (2001-2003). Three thousand and eight of them (90.6%) were born in Sicily, whereas 310 (9.4%) were immigrants from non-EU countries. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 1.1%, and it was significantly higher among immigrant than indigenous women (4.2% versus 0.8%; OR 5.26; p < 0.0001). Serologic evidence of past HBV infection (anti HBc) also was significantly higher in immigrants than in Sicilian women (24.5% ve…
Immunogenicity and safety of a nine-valent human papillomavirus vaccine in women 27–45 years of age compared to women 16–26 years of age: An open-lab…
2021
Abstract: Background: Efficacy of the nine-valent human papillomavirus (9vHPV; HPV types 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) vaccine was demonstrated in a phase 3 study in women 16 & ndash;26 years of age. We present a phase 3 immunogenicity and safety study of the 9vHPV vaccine in women 27 & ndash;45 versus 16 & ndash;26 years of age. Methods: This international, open-label study (NCT03158220) was conducted in women 16 & ndash;45 years of age. Participants (16 & ndash;26 years, n = 570 and 27 & ndash;45 years, n = 642) received a three-dose 9vHPV vaccination regimen (day 1, month 2, month 6). Month 7 geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seroconversion percentages to anti-HPV 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 w…
The burden of HBV infection in HCV patients in Italy and the risk of reactivation under DAA therapy
2019
Background: There is increasing awareness of HBV reactivation in HCV-RNA-positive/HBV-coinfected patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) treated with oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Aim: To provide figures on the prevalence of HBV markers in HCV-RNA-positive subjects in Italy, where these findings are lacking. Methods: All subjects aged ≥18 years with CLD consecutively referring to Italian liver units located throughout country were prospectively enrolled in two national surveys in 2001 and 2014. Results: The total number of HCV-RNA-positive cases was 6984; 356 (5.1%) subjects vaccinated against HBV were excluded. A total of 6628 cases were evaluated. The prevalence rates of HBsAg, …
Information sources and knowledge on vaccination in a population from southern Italy: The ESCULAPIO project
2016
Vaccine knowledge of the general population is shaped by different information sources and strongly influences vaccination attitudes and uptake. The CCM-Italian Ministry of Health ESCULAPIO project attempted to identify the role of such information sources, in order to address adequate strategies to improve information on vaccines and vaccine preventable diseases. In the present study, data on 632 adults from Southern Italy regarding information sources were collected, and their perceived and actual knowledge on vaccinations were compared and analyzed in relation to socio-demographic characteristics and information sources. The main reported reference sources were general practitioners (GPs…
Determinants of influenza vaccination among solid organ transplant recipients attending Sicilian reference center
2016
Among solid organ transplant recipients, influenza infection is commonly associated with higher morbidity and mortality than immunocompetent hosts. Therefore, in these subjects influenza vaccination is of paramount importance. The main objective of the study was to assess compliance to vaccination and analyze factors associated with influenza vaccination of solid organ transplant recipients admitted to the Sicilian solid organ transplant Reference Center IRCCS-ISMETT in Palermo during 2014–2015 influenza season. Thirty one (37.8%) out of 82 solid organ transplant recipients were vaccinated against influenza. The main reason for vaccination refusal was fear of adverse reaction (n = 16, 31.4%…