Search results for "Influenza Vaccine"

Influenza vaccination in high-risk groups: a revision of existing guidelines and rationale for an evidence-based preventive strategy.

2016

Summary Influenza, an infectious respiratory disease, is one of the main causes of excess winter deaths (EWDs) in Europe. Annual flu epidemics are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially among the elderly, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women. Health Care Workers (HCWs) are also considered at high risk of both contracting influenza and spreading the virus to vulnerable patients. During the 2014/2015 season, the excess winter mortality rates observed in countries of the northern hemisphere (EuroMOMO network) and in Italy (+13%) were strongly related to the intensity of influenza circulation. Influenza vaccination is the most important public healt…

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of the introduction of influenza vaccination for Italian children with Fluenz Tetra®

2021

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A mid-term estimate of 2018/2019 vaccine effectiveness to prevent laboratory confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) influenza cases in Sicily (Italy)

2019

Abstract Influenza season started in Italy during the month of October 2018, approaching the epidemic peak in January 2019. This report aim to explore the mid-term virologic surveillance data of the 2018–2019 influenza season in Sicily and to estimate the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine (VE) against A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) influenza viruses. A test-negative design was used to evaluate influenza VE. In Sicily, almost all influenza infections were sustained by influenza type A viruses, of which 62.3% were A(H3N2) and 36.3% A(H1N1)pdm09. A reduction of laboratory confirmed influenza cases in Sicilian population immunized against influenza were observed. In particular, an overall s…

A Trans-amplifying RNA Vaccine Strategy for Induction of Potent Protective Immunity

2019

Here, we present a potent RNA vaccine approach based on a novel bipartite vector system using trans-amplifying RNA (taRNA). The vector cassette encoding the vaccine antigen originates from an alphaviral self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), from which the replicase was deleted to form a transreplicon. Replicase activity is provided in trans by a second molecule, either by a standard saRNA or an optimized non-replicating mRNA (nrRNA). The latter delivered 10- to 100-fold higher transreplicon expression than the former. Moreover, expression driven by the nrRNA-encoded replicase in the taRNA system was as efficient as in a conventional monopartite saRNA system. We show that the superiority of nrRNA- ov…

Cytokines and Toll-Like Receptors in the Immune Response to Influenza Vaccination

2014

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in immunogenicity. However, little information is available on the role of TLRs in the immune response to vaccination against influenza virus. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the immunogenic response to influenza vaccine and the presence of soluble forms of TLRs and selected cytokines in the serum. There were two groups of subjects participating in the main protocol of the study: 55 chronically hemodialyzed patients (Group A) and 55 healthy volunteers (Group B) participated in the study. Both groups were vaccinated against influenza using a subunit Agrippal vaccine. The concentrations of human TNF-α, IL-1β/IL-1F2, IL-6, an…

Infection by Influenza Virus in Childhood: A Call for Broader Influenza Vaccination

2004

Do Degree Programs Affect Health Profession Students' Attitudes and Opinions Toward Vaccinations? An Italian Multicenter Study

2019

Abstract Background Healthcare workers' attitudes toward vaccination have been widely described in the literature, but a restricted amount of studies assessed healthcare students' knowledge, attitudes, and opinions on this issue. This study aimed to estimate the influence of a degree course on knowledge and immunization behavior among healthcare students and to compare medical students with students from other health profession degree programs to identify possible differences. Methods A multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed in 2018 in 14 Italian Universities (3,131 students were interviewed). A validated questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and opinions toward v…

The relevance for Public Health of the mid-term and interim analyses of seasonal influenza vaccination effectiveness

2019

Worldwide, influenza is commonly recognized as a respiratory virus that causes a high number of deaths every year, especially among elderly adults and people with chronic illnesses. In order to reduce morbidity and mortality, many countries have implemented, in the last decades, universal influenza vaccination programs with special attention on groups at increased risk of developing the disease, such as pregnant women, children aged 6–59 months, elderly adults and individuals with specific chronic medical conditions. In real-world conditions, observational (nonrandomized) studies on vaccine effectiveness (VE) could measure,the risk reduction of contracting a disease and are considered the g…

Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine compared with a standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine in h…

2021

A quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4-HD) is licensed for adults ≥65 y of age based on immunogenicity and efficacy studies. However, IIV4-HD has not been evaluated in adults aged 60–64 y. This study compared immunogenicity and safety of IIV4-HD with a standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4-SD) in adults aged ≥60 y. This Phase III, randomized, modified double-blind, active-controlled study enrolled 1,528 participants aged ≥60 y, randomized 1:1 to a single injection of IIV4-HD or IIV4-SD. Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) geometric mean titers (GMTs) were measured at baseline and D 28 and seroconversion assessed. Safety was described for 180 d after vaccinat…