SARS-CoV-2 infection and its prevention in pediatric autoimmune diseases / SARS-CoV-2-fertozés és annak megelozése gyermekkori krónikus szisztémás autoimmun betegségekben.

Összefoglaló. A krónikus autoimmun betegségben szenvedokben a súlyos COVID-19 kialakulásának kockázata magasabb, a SARS-CoV-2-fertozés pedig a krónikus alapbetegség progressziójához, fellángolásához vezethet. A COVID-19 elkerülésének legbiztonságosabb, legköltséghatékonyabb módszere a vakcináció, illetve az emellett alkalmazott higiénés szabályok betartása, a megfelelo maszk viselése. A hiedelemmel ellentétben önmagában az autoimmun megbetegedés nem jelent oltási ellenjavallatot, sot a rizikóállapot miatt ezek a betegek az elsok között oltandók. A COVID-19 elleni vakcina alkalmazásának egyetlen egyértelmu kontraindikációja az anamnézisben szereplo súlyos allergiás reakció (anafilaxia) a vakcina valamelyik alkotórészével szemben. A betegek olthatóságát többek között befolyásolja az aktuális betegségaktivitás és az alkalmazott kezelés. Az immunizáció idejét a legbiztonságosabban a gondozó orvos tervezheti meg. Az autoimmun betegek immunizációja során észlelheto oltási reakciók és szövodmények incidenciája megegyezik az egészséges populációban is tapasztalt elofordulási gyakorisággal. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(11): 414-423. Summary. The risk of developing severe COVID-19 is higher in patients with autoimmune diseases, and SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to progression and exacerbation of the underlying chronic disease. The safest and most cost-effective way to avoid COVID-19 is to be vaccinated, to follow the hygiene rules and to wear an appropriate mask. Contrary to belief, autoimmune disease alone is not a contraindication to vaccination and, in fact, patients should be among the first to be vaccinated because of the risk. The only clear contraindication to the use of COVID-19 vaccine is a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any of the components of the vaccine. Indication of vaccination migh be influenced by, among other things, the current disease activity and the treatment applied. The timing of immunization can be the most safely planned by the attending physician. The incidence of vaccination reactions and complications during immunization in autoimmune patients is similar to that seen in the healthy population. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(11): 414-423.

Attitudes towards varicella vaccination in parents and paediatric healthcare providers in Hungary.

BACKGROUND: Varicella vaccination is important in prevention of childhood infection. Aim of this cross-sectional study was to survey attitudes and determinants of support or refusal of varicella vaccination in parents and in paediatric healthcare professionals, mainly health visitors in Hungary prior to the introduction of this vaccine in National Immunization Program in 2019. METHODS: Between October 2018 and February 2019, 1042 parents and 198 healthcare professionals completed a self-administered anonymous questionnaire regarding sociodemographic background, knowledge and attitudes towards varicella vaccination, and reasons for non-vaccination. RESULTS: From the participating parents 53.3% have vaccinated at least one of their children. Vaccination rate was significantly higher in families with <3 children, living in the capital, among those who have seen complications of varicella and among parents with university degree. Most important positive determinant was recommendation of the vaccine by healthcare professionals: 77.8% of parents accepted vaccination when recommended by the paediatrician, despite the cost of the vaccine, whereas only 17.3% of parents vaccinated their children when the vaccine was not recommended by paediatrician. Most important reasons for non-vaccination was finding the vaccine unnecessary, concerns regarding side effects, and not believing in the vaccine's effectiveness. Among paediatric healthcare professionals, support rate of universal varicella vaccination was 76.3%. Support rate was higher among those who have seen complications of varicella more often and those who consider varicella a severe infection. Reasons of professionals who do not support universal varicella vaccination were similar to those of vaccine hesitant parents. Practice of intentional exposure of non-immune child to infected ones still exist. CONCLUSIONS: Educational programs are needed for parents and health visitors to address concerns regarding vaccination. Paediatricians are the most trusted source of information for parents hence they have a significant responsibility and parents likely follow their recommendations.

[Vaccine hesitancy among primary healthcare professionals in Hungary]. / Védooltásokkal kapcsolatos kételyek és elkötelezettség a magyarországi egészségügyi alapellátásban dolgozók körében.

Introduction: The attitude to immunization and the issue of vaccine hesitancy in health care workers (HCWs) have been studied in a former survey performed by ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control). Aim: Our aim was to study the immunization attitude of primary care paediatricians, general practitioners and primary care nurses in Hungary. Method: We studied vaccine hesitancy in HCWs by way of a questionnaire, developed on the basis of a recent similar survey by ECDC in four countries. The online survey has been performed between May and July 2017. Altogether 765 questionnaires have been returned: 189 primary care paediatricians, 375 general practitioners working in adult or mixed practices, and 201 primary care nurses. The sample has been weighted to the country-specific features - e.g., location of the practice, residence and age of the HCWs - within each of the three groups, so from this aspect it can be considered representative. Results: Our results did not differ substantially from the international ECDC data. Approximately 2/3 of the primary care doctors and about 50% of the primary care nurses were convinced of the benefit and value of vaccines. Data on vaccine hesitancy were consolingly low, though the data on recommended vaccines were somewhat higher compared to the age related/NIP (National Immunization Plan) vaccines. The well-known vaccine scares - e.g., autism-MMR, etc., known also from the literature - could hardly been detected, and it can be explained by the voluntary participation in the study. The least supported vaccine is BCG, while the highest hesitancy rates are related to MMR in Hungary. Conclusion: The need to improve immunization-related communication among primary HCWs could clearly been detected - both in gradual and in post-gradual training programs. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(48): 1904-1914.

The use of antibiotics in the treatment of pediatric varicella patients: real-world evidence from the multi-country MARVEL study in Latin America & Europe.

BACKGROUND: Varicella is a highly contagious childhood disease. Generally benign, serious complications necessitating antibiotic use may occur. The objective of this study was to characterize the rate, appropriateness and patterns of real-world antibiotic prescribing for management of varicella-associated complications, prior to universal varicella vaccination (UVV) implementation. METHODS: Pooled, post-hoc analysis of 5 international, multicenter, retrospective chart reviews studies (Argentina, Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Poland). Inpatient and outpatient primary pediatric (1-14 years) varicella cases, diagnosed between 2009 and 2016, were eligible. Outcomes, assessed descriptively, included varicella-associated complications and antibiotic use. Three antibiotic prescribing scenarios were defined based on complication profile in chart: evidence of microbiologically confirmed bacterial infection (Scenario A); insufficient evidence confirming microbiological confirmation (Scenario B); no evidence of microbiological confirmation (Scenario C). Stratification was performed by patient status (inpatient vs. outpatient) and country. RESULTS: Four hundred one outpatients and 386 inpatients were included. Mean (SD) outpatient age was 3.6 (2.8) years; inpatient age was 3.1 (2.8) years. Male gender was predominant. Overall, 12.2% outpatients reported ≥1 infectious complication, 3.7% ≥1 bacterial infection, and 0.5% ≥1 microbiologically confirmed infection; inpatient complication rates were 78.8, 33.2 and 16.6%, respectively. Antibiotics were prescribed to 12.7% of outpatients and 68.9% of inpatients. Among users, ß-lactamases (class), and clindamycin (agent), dominated prescriptions. Scenario A was assigned to 3.9% (outpatients) vs 13.2% (inpatients); Scenario B: 2.0% vs. 6.0%; Scenario C: 94.1% vs. 80.8%. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of infectious complications and antibiotic use are reported, with low rates of microbiological confirmation suggesting possible antibiotic misuse for management of varicella complications.

Burden of varicella in Central and Eastern Europe: findings from a systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination against varicella rapidly reduces disease incidence, resulting in reductions in both individual burden and societal costs. Despite these benefits, there is no standardization of varicella immunization policies in Europe, including countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). AREAS COVERED: This systematic literature review identified publications on the epidemiology of varicella, its associated health and economic burden, and vaccination strategies within the CEE region, defined as Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Twenty-six studies were identified from a search of PubMed, Embase®, and MEDLINE® biomedical literature databases, supplemented by gray literature and country-specific/global websites. EXPERT COMMENTARY: Limited information exists in published studies on the burden of varicella in CEE. The wide variability in incidence rates between countries is likely explained by a lack of consistency in reporting systems. Funded universal varicella vaccination (UVV) in CEE is currently available only in Latvia as a one-dose schedule, but Hungary together with Latvia are introducing a two-dose strategy in 2019. For countries that do not provide UVV, introduction of vaccination is predicted to provide substantial reductions in cases and rates of associated complications, with important economic benefits.

Varicella healthcare resource utilization in middle income countries: a pooled analysis of the multi-country MARVEL study in Latin America & Europe.

Varicella is a mild and self-limited illness in children, but can result in significant healthcare resource utilization (HCRU). To quantify/contrast varicella-associated HCRU in five middle-income countries (Hungary, Poland, Argentina, Mexico, and Peru) where universal varicella vaccination was unimplemented, charts were retrospectively reviewed among 1-14 year-olds. Data were obtained on management of primary varicella between 2009-2016, including outpatient/inpatient visits, allied healthcare contacts, tests/procedures, and medications. These results are contrasted across countries, and a regression model is fit to extrapolated country-level costs as a function of gross domestic product (GDP). A total of 401 outpatients and 386 inpatients were included. Significant differences between countries were observed in the number of skin lesions among outpatients, ranging from 5.3% to 25.4% of patients with ≥250 lesions. Among inpatients, results were less variable. Average ambulatory medical visits ranged from 1.1 to 2.2. Average hospital stay ranged from 3.6 to 6.8 days. Use of tests/procedures was infrequent in outpatients, except in Argentina (13.3%); among inpatients, a test/procedure was ordered for 81.3% of patients, without regional variation. Prescription medications were administered in 44.4% of outpatients (range 9.3%-80.0%), and in 86% of inpatients (range 70.4%-94.9%). Total estimated spending on varicella treatment in the absence of vaccination was predicted from income levels (GDP) with an exponential function (R2 = 0.89). This study demonstrates that substantial HCRU is associated with varicella resulting in significant public health burden that could be alleviated through the use of varicella vaccination. Differences observed between countries possibly reflect treatment guidelines, healthcare resource availabilities and physician practices.

Comparative Epidemiologic Characteristics of Pertussis in 10 Central and Eastern European Countries, 2000-2013.

We undertook an epidemiological survey of the annual incidence of pertussis reported from 2000 to 2013 in ten Central and Eastern European countries to ascertain whether increased pertussis reports in some countries share common underlying drivers or whether there are specific features in each country. The annual incidence of pertussis in the participating countries was obtained from relevant government institutions and/or national surveillance systems. We reviewed the changes in the pertussis incidence rates in each country to explore differences and/or similarities between countries in relation to pertussis surveillance; case definitions for detection and confirmation of pertussis; incidence and number of cases of pertussis by year, overall and by age group; population by year, overall and by age group; pertussis immunization schedule and coverage, and switch from whole-cell pertussis vaccines (wP) to acellular pertussis vaccines (aP). There was heterogeneity in the reported annual incidence rates and trends observed across countries. Reported pertussis incidence rates varied considerably, ranging from 0.01 to 96 per 100,000 population, with the highest rates generally reported in Estonia and the lowest in Hungary and Serbia. The greatest burden appears for the most part in infants (<1 year) in Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, and Serbia, but not in the other participating countries where the burden may have shifted to older children, though surveillance of adults may be inappropriate. There was no consistent pattern associated with the switch from wP to aP vaccines on reported pertussis incidence rates. The heterogeneity in reported data may be related to a number of factors including surveillance system characteristics or capabilities, different case definitions, type of pertussis confirmation tests used, public awareness of the disease, as well as real differences in the magnitude of the disease, or a combination of these factors. Our study highlights the need to standardize pertussis detection and confirmation in surveillance programs across Europe, complemented with carefully-designed seroprevalence studies using the same protocols and methodologies.

Evidence for Infection and Inflammation in Infant Deaths in a Country with Historically Low Incidences of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Total infant mortality in Hungary has been higher than other European countries; however, the reported incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been lower. The low incidence of SIDS in Hungary has been supported by evidence obtained from the high rate of scene of death investigation and medico-legal autopsy mandatory since the 1950s. In this study, we compared the incidence of explained and unexplained infant deaths in Hungary for three periods: 1979-1989 when the incidence of SIDS was high in western Europe; 1990-1999 when the incidence of infant deaths was falling following introduction of the public health campaigns to reduce the risk factors associated with SIDS; and 2000-2012 to determine if introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b or pneumococcal vaccines or introduction of an earlier immunization schedule during this period had an effect on SIDS. Explained infant deaths fell consistently during this period; however, SIDS rose during the second period when the incidence of SIDS was falling in other European countries. Evidence for infection and/or inflammation was observed for the majority of SIDS during each period. The results are discussed in relation to campaigns to reduce infant mortality in Hungary and the introduction of new vaccines and an earlier immunization schedule in 2006.

Recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis with oesophageal involvement in a 2 year old boy: successful treatment with the quadrivalent human papillomatosis vaccine.

Authors present a case report of a 2-year-old boy with recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis with oesophageal involvement due to human papilloma virus types 6 and 11, who needed surgical treatment every 4-6 weeks, altogether 11 times. After detailed immunological evaluation of basic immunological parameters, and in vitro detection of good responses to routine childhood immunization, a therapeutic vaccination has been decided with a 4-valent HPV vaccine. Following the third vaccine dose both laryngeal and oesophageal lesions disappeared completely, and for 2 years follow-up no papillomas could be detected. Vaccination could be a promising method in the treatment of RRP in children.

[Prevention of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) infections in adults]. / A Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) infekciók megelozése felnottekben.

Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) are still meaning a serious health problem, about 40% of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is due to pneumococcal bacteria in adults requiring hospitalization. The incidence and mortality rate of pneumococcal infections is increasing in the population above 50 years of age. Certain congenital and acquired immunocompromised conditions make the individual susceptible for pneumococcal infection and other chronic comorbidities should be considered as a risk factor as well, such as liver and renal diseases, COPD, diabetes mellitus. Lethality of severe pneumococcal infections with bacteraemia still remains about 12% despite adequate antimicrobial therapy in the past 60 years. Underestimation of pneumococcal infections is mainly due to the low sensitivity of diagnostic tools and underuse of bacteriological laboratory confirmation methods. 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) became available recently beyond the 23-valent polysacharide vaccine (PPV-23) which has been using for a long time.The indication and proper administration of the two vaccines are based on international recommendations and vaccination guideline published by National Centre for Epidemiology (NCE):Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for: Every person above 50 years of age. Patients of all ages with chronic diseases who are susceptible for severe pneumococcal infections: respiratory (COPD), heart, renal, liver disease, diabetes, or patients under immunsuppressive treatment. Smokers regardless of age and comorbidities. Cochlear implants, cranial-injured patients. Patients with asplenia.Recommendation for administration of the two different vaccines:Adults who have not been immunized previously against pneumococcal disease must be vaccinated with a dose of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine first. This protection could be extended with administration of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine at least two month later. Adults who have been immunized previously, but above 65 years of age, with a 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine are recommended to get one dose of conjugate vaccine at least one year later. Adults who have been immunized previously, but under 65 years of age, with a 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine are recommended to get one dose of conjugate vaccine at least one year later. After a minimal interval of two months one dose of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended if at least 5 years have elapsed since their previous PPSV23 dose. Vaccination of immuncompromised patients (malignancy, transplantation, etc.) and patients with asplenia should be defined by vaccinology specialists. Pneumococcal vaccines may be administered concommitantly or any interval with other vaccines.

Immunization of high-risk paediatric populations: Central European Vaccination Awareness Group recommendations.

Over the last decade, childhood immunization has substantially reduced morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, particular paediatric risk groups, such as those with comorbidities, may not be adequately vaccinated despite being more susceptible to complications and death from certain infectious diseases. This may be due to lack of immunization recommendations, lack of awareness, or incomplete adherence to existing guidelines. Furthermore, recommendations for immunization can be inconsistent across Europe. An expanded initiative from the Central European Vaccination Awareness Group aims to raise awareness of the different high-risk paediatric groups, differentiate them according to their specific risk, and formalise a guidance statement for the immunization of each population.

[Pneumococcal disease prevention from early infancy to old age]. / Pneumococcusprevenció a kora csecsemokortól az idoskorig.

The real disease burden due to Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are underrecognised worldwide both by the lay public and by the medical community in general. In infants and children pneumococcal otitis media is the most common reason for antimicrobial treatment, while the far less frequent, though potentially life threatening pneumococcal pleuropneumonia, sepsis and pneumococcal meningitis are high risk conditions even if the causative pneumococcus is not multiresistant. Asplenic patients, patients with chronic underlying conditions, and/or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy are at risk of serious pneumococcal disease regardless of age. Morbidity and mortality due to pneumococcal pneumonia is most common in the elderly, and has not changed during the last decades in spite of all efforts in improving therapy and care. Presently the majority of the pneumococcal infections are preventable by active immunization. In this work the author briefly outlines the results of the pneumococcal prevention programs worldwide and in Hungary using presently available 10-valent, 13-valent protein conjugate and 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccines. Also, the author describes the recently approved indications of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine such as its use in all age groups, discusses future challenges of these prevention programs.

Rotavirus vaccination in central Europe.

Each year, rotavirus (RV) infection is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalisation and of nosocomially transmitted diseases in children younger than 5 years across Central European Vaccination Awareness Group (CEVAG) countries; however, inadequate surveillance systems and lack of routine RV testing still exist in most CEVAG countries, making it difficult to accurately assess the present burden of acute RV gastroenteritis in the younger population. Furthermore, routine immunisation of infants with RV vaccines has not been implemented, and no official and uniform recommendations exist in most of the countries in these territories. The present study provides CEVAG country-specific estimates of the disease burden of RV gastroenteritis among the youngest population and presents evidence-based advice on the use of RV vaccines in the region, while providing a framework for vaccination at the national level.

Recommendations for tick-borne encephalitis vaccination from the Central European Vaccination Awareness Group (CEVAG).

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral neurological zoonotic disease transmitted to humans by ticks or by consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from infected cows, goats, or sheep. TBE is highly endemic in areas of Central and Eastern Europe and Russia where it is a major public health concern. However, it is difficult to diagnose TBE as clinical manifestations tend to be relatively nonspecific and a standardized case definition does not exist across the region. TBE is becoming more important in Europe due to the appearance of new endemic areas. Few Central European Vaccination Awareness Group (CEVAG) member countries have implemented universal vaccination programmes against TBE and vaccination coverage is not considered sufficient to control the disease. When implemented, immunization strategies only apply to risk groups under certain conditions, with no harmonized recommendations available to date across the region. Effective vaccination programmes are essential in preventing the burden of TBE. This review examines the current situation of TBE in CEVAG countries and contains recommendations for the vaccination of children and high-risk groups. For countries at very high risk of TBE infections, CEVAG strongly recommends the introduction of universal TBE vaccination in children > 1 y of age onwards. For countries with a very low risk of TBE, recommendations should only apply to those traveling to endemic areas. Overall, it is generally accepted that each country should be free to make its own decision based on regional epidemiological data and the vaccination calendar, although recommendations should be made, especially for those living in endemic areas.

Regional advisory board position statement on optimal pneumococcal vaccination in adults. Update to 2011 consensus on adult pneumococcal disease: update on optimal pneumococcal vaccination in adults.

BACKGROUND: An important development in the field of adult pneumococcal vaccination since the last Consensus Statement, published by the Expert Panel of Central and Eastern Europe and Israel (the Region) in September 2012, was the licensure of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for adults aged 50 years and older. DISCUSSION: The Expert Panel has developed this Position Statement as an update to its previous Consensus to address the following topics which are likely to be on the agenda of national scientific societies during the ongoing updates of vaccination recommendations in the Region: the availability of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults over 50 years of age, the available clinical evidence on its use in adults, and the future place of conjugate vaccines in adult pneumococcal vaccination. The Expert Panel concluded that there is sufficient epidemiologic immunogenicity and safety evidence to use PCV 13 in adults over 50 years of age. RESULTS: The use of conjugate vaccine induces immunological memory and can overcome some limitations associated with the plain polysaccharide vaccine (PPV). It was also agreed that, if the use of PPV is considered appropriate, PCV13 should be administered first, regardless of prior pneumococcal vaccination status.

Opportunity for healthy ageing: lessening the burden of adult pneumococcal disease in Central and Eastern Europe, and Israel.

The population of the Region (Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Israel) is ageing, necessitating preventative programmes to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle in older age groups. Invasive pneumococcal disease (including bacteremic pneumonia, bacteremia without a focus, and meningitis) has higher incidence, morbidity and mortality in older adults and is a substantial public health burden in the ageing population. Surveillance in the Region establishes a significant burden in older adults of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which still appears to be under-estimated as compared with other countries, and this warrants an improvement in surveillance systems. The largest proportion of IPD in adults is bacteremic pneumonia. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), largely attributable to S. pneumoniae, can be bacteremic or non-bacteremic; the non-bacteremic forms of CAP also represent a significant burden in the Region. The burden of pneumococcal disease can be reduced with programmes of effective vaccination. Recommendations on pneumococcal vaccination in adults vary widely across the Region. The main barrier to implementation of vaccination programmes is low awareness among healthcare professionals on serious heatlh consequences of adult pneumococcal disease and of vaccination options. The Expert Panel calls on healthcare providers in the Region to improve pneumococcal surveillance, optimize and disseminate recommendations for adult vaccination, and support awareness and education programmes about adult pneumococcal disease.

Adult vaccination in 11 Central European countries - calendars are not just for children.

As Europe's population ages, disease morbidity and treatment costs in the adult population are likely to rise substantially, making this a pertinent time to review and revise preventive strategies such as vaccination. Vaccine uptake remains a problem for adults and there is a lack of coordinated programmes for vaccination of adults. Countries in Western Europe have begun to identify the need to increase adult vaccination, but the situation in Central European countries remains poorly identified and inadequately described. This paper summarises the evidence to support the development of an adult vaccination calendar in the Central European Vaccination Awareness Group (CEVAG) member countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey). CEVAG recommends the introduction of an adult vaccination calendar, which should include vaccination against diseases that represent a large burden in adults in terms of mortality and morbidity. This calendar could be modified to meet the priorities of individual countries.

Rubella revisited: where are we on the road to disease elimination in Central Europe?

Rubella is a contagious viral disease with few complications except when contracted by pregnant women. Rubella infection in pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or an infant born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) which comprises deafness, heart disease, cataracts and other permanent congenital manifestations. Clinical diagnosis of rubella is difficult due to overlapping symptoms with many other diseases and confirmation of rubella is not possible without laboratory testing. Effective vaccination programmes are critical to the elimination of rubella and prevention of CRS. Such programmes have been successful in several countries in Europe and around the world. However, rubella outbreaks still occur due to suboptimal vaccine coverage and in the past 10 years rubella has been reported in Central European countries such as Romania and Poland. Over the past decade the elimination of rubella and prevention of congenital rubella infection in Europe has been a high priority for the WHO European Regional Office. In 2010 the WHO regional committee for Europe renewed its commitment to the elimination of rubella and prevention of CRS with a new target of 2015. This paper examines the current situation for rubella and CRS in Central Europe and describes the different rubella vaccination programmes in the region. The Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) recommends that two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, MMR, should be given to all children. The first dose should be given between 12 and 15 months of age. The second dose can be given between the ages of 21 months and 13 years with the exact age of administration of the second dose depending on the situation specific to each country. All suspected rubella cases should be laboratory-confirmed and monitoring systems to detect and investigate cases of CRS should be strengthened.

Position paper--HPV and the primary prevention of cancer; improving vaccine uptake by paediatricians.

A large proportion of sexually active adults are infected with the human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Although largely asymptomatic, some types of HPVs (HPV-16, HPV-18) which infect the genitalia are known to cause cancers, including cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is an important public health concern and is the second most clinically important cancer to breast cancer in women aged 15-44 years. Until recently, cervical cancer strategies focussed on screening. However, as adolescents become sexually active at a much younger age, the focus is on the use of vaccination as an effective measure to prevent progression of HPV infection to cancer. HPV is also involved in the aetiology of cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva and penis as well as genital warts and laryngeal papillomatosis in young children. Primary prevention through vaccination is now possible in Europe using either the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, Gardasil® (Sanofi Pasteur MSD), or the bivalent HPV vaccine, Cervarix® (GSK), which are both highly immunogenic, with their effects persisting for at least 5 years. HPV vaccines are well tolerated, with serious vaccine-related events occurring in less than 0.1% of patients for both vaccines. Here, we review the possibilities for utilising vaccination programmes alongside current cervical cancer screening in comprehensive cervical cancer prevention programmes. The European Academy of Paediatrics Scientific Working Group on Vaccination concluded that the use of HPV vaccines will have a significant impact in primary prevention of cancers and other HPV-related disease.

Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for influenza vaccination in children.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination in infants and children with existing health complications is current practice in many countries, but healthy children are also susceptible to influenza, sometimes with complications. The under-recognised burden of disease in young children is greater than in elderly populations and the number of paediatric influenza cases reported does not reflect the actual frequency of influenza. DISCUSSION: Vaccination of healthy children is not widespread in Europe despite clear demonstration of the benefits of vaccination in reducing the large health and economic burden of influenza. Universal vaccination of infants and children also provides indirect protection in other high-risk groups in the community. This paper contains the Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for the vaccination of infants and children against influenza. The aim of CEVAG is to encourage the efficient and safe use of vaccines to prevent and control infectious diseases. SUMMARY: CEVAG recommends the introduction of universal influenza vaccination for all children from the age of 6 months. Special attention is needed for children up to 60 months of age as they are at greatest risk. Individual countries should decide on how best to implement this recommendation based on their circumstances.