Communicating about Vaccine Safety: Guidelines to help health workers communicate with parents, caregivers, and patients

Vaccines save between 2 million and 3 million lives each year and protect the entire population from more than a dozen life-threatening diseases. Thanks to vaccination, smallpox was eradicated in 1980, and we are on track to eradicate polio. However, despite great strides in the control of measles, one of the most contagious diseases known, the last few years have unfortunately seen an increase in cases. This is why high vaccination coverage—95% or more—is needed, posing a major technical and communication challenge for health workers. Studies show that telling people about the quality, safety, effectiveness and availability of vaccines is not enough to influence behavior change related to immunization, and in general, doesn´t increase coverage. For this reason, it´s necessary to understand the reasons why people choose not to get vaccinated or not get their children vaccinated, in order to begin a two-way respectful dialogue using the best, most effective messages. Given this context, the main objective of these guidelines is to provide tools for staff working in the field of immunization to support effective communication between health personnel and the general population, with the aim of strengthening, maintaining or recovering trust in vaccines and the immunization programs in the Region of the Americas.

Comunicación sobre vacunación segura: Orientaciones para apoyar al personal de salud en la comunicación con madres, padres, cuidadores y pacientes

Las vacunas salvan entre 2 y 3 millones de vidas cada año y protegen a toda la población contra más de una docena de enfermedades potencialmente mortales. Gracias a la vacunación se erradicó la viruela en el año 1980 y estamos en vías de erradicar la poliomielitis. No obstante, en los últimos años ha habido un aumento en los casos de sarampión, una de las enfermedades conocidas más contagiosas. Por esta razón es necesario alcanzar una cobertura de vacunación de 95% o más, lo que constituye un gran desafío técnico y de comunicación para el personal de salud. Los estudios demuestran que informar sobre la calidad, la seguridad, la eficacia y la oferta de las vacunas no es suficiente para lograr cambios de conducta frente a la vacunación y que, en general, no aumenta su cobertura. Por este motivo, es necesario comprender las razones que llevan a las personas a no vacunarse o a no vacunar a sus hijos, con vistas a iniciar un diálogo bidireccional basado en el respeto que redunde en mensajes mejores y más eficaces. En este contexto, las presentes orientaciones tienen como objetivo principal facilitar a los equipos de salud herramientas que sirvan de apoyo para la comunicación efectiva entre el personal de salud y la población general, con miras a lograr el objetivo de fortalecer, mantener o recuperar la confianza en las vacunas y en los programas de inmunización en la Región de las Américas.

Como se comunicar sobre a segurança das vacinas: Diretrizes para orientar os trabalhadores da saúde quanto à comunicação com pais, mães, cuidadores e pacientes

Todos os anos as vacinas salvam entre 2 e 3 milhões de vidas e protegem toda a população contra mais de uma dezena de doenças potencialmente letais. Graças à vacinação, em 1980 foi possível erradicar a varíola—e agora estamos em vias de erradicar a poliomielite. Apesar das vacinas terem proporcionado tamanha melhoria na qualidade de vida, há anos que o número de casos de sarampo—uma das doenças mais contagiosas que se conhece—vem aumentando. Para reverter essa situação, é preciso que a taxa de cobertura vacinal alcance o índice de no mínimo 95%. Para os profissionais da saúde, esse tem sido um grande desafio técnico e de comunicação. Estudos mostram que informar sobre a qualidade, a segurança, a eficácia e a disponibilidade de vacinas não tem sido suficiente para mudar a conduta do público perante a vacinação, e que, de maneira geral, transferir essas informações pura e simplesmente não aumenta a cobertura vacinal. Por isso, é necessário compreender as razões que levam as pessoas a não vacinarem a si mesmas e aos seus filhos. Essa compreensão permitirá que se inicie um diálogo bidirecional com base no respeito, o que permitirá que os comunicadores elaborem mensagens melhores e mais eficazes. Nesse contexto, as orientações deste documento visam, principalmente, equipar o pessoal da saúde com ferramentas que lhes permitam aumentar a eficiência da comunicação com a população geral e aumentar, manter ou recuperar a confiança do público nas vacinas e nos programa de imunização na Região das Américas.

Estudio prospectivo para estimar la carga de hospitalización y visitas a urgencias de la gripe en población pediátrica en Bilbao (2010-2011) / A prospective study to assess the burden of influenza-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits among children in Bilbao, Spain (2010-2011)

Introducción: El estudio se llevó a cabo para estimar la carga de enfermedad de la gripe confirmada por laboratorio en niños menores de 15 años. Pacientes y métodos: Los niños que acudieron al Hospital Universitario de Basurto con síntomas de infección respiratoria aguda y/o fiebre aislada entre noviembre de 2010 y mayo de 2011 fueron incluidos en el estudio (NCT01592799). Se tomaron 2 muestras de secreción nasofaríngea: una para un test de diagnóstico rápido en el Servicio de Urgencias y otra para análisis en laboratorio con reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real y cultivo viral. Resultados: Se seleccionó a un total de 501 niños, de los que 91 fueron hospitalizados. El diagnóstico de gripe se confirmó en 131 (26,1%); 120/410 (29,3%) fueron tratados ambulatoriamente y 11/91 (12,1%), hospitalizados. En 370/501 niños (73,9%) el resultado no fue positivo. La proporción de otros virus respiratorios fue 145/501 (28,9%) casos y de coinfección con otro virus respiratorio además de gripe de 7/501 (1,4%). Los tipos de virus de gripe fueron: A (H1N1 y H3N2) 53,2% (67/126); B (Victoria y Yamagata) 46,0% (58/126); A + B 0,8% (1/126). El coste médico directo medio asociado con cada caso de gripe confirmada fue de 177,00 €(N=131). No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el coste asociado con gripe A o B. Conclusión: Casi la mitad de los casos fueron virus de gripe B. La administración de una vacuna que incluya tipos A y B de gripe debería reducir la carga de la enfermedad (AU)

Introduction: This study was undertaken to estimate the burden of morbidity associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza in children below 15 years of age. Patients and methods: Children presenting with acute respiratory infection and/or isolated fever at the Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain between November 2010 and May 2011 were included in this study (NCT01592799). Two nasopharyngeal secretion samples were taken from each; one for a rapid influenza diagnostic test in the emergency department, and the second for laboratory analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction and viral culture. Results: A total of 501 children were recruited, of whom 91 were hospitalized. Influenza diagnosis was confirmed in 131 children (26.1%); 120 of 410 (29.3%) treated as outpatients and 11 of 91 (12.1%) hospitalized children. A total of 370 of 501 children (73.9%) had no laboratory test positive for influenza. The proportion of subjects with other respiratory viruses was 145/501 (28.9%) cases and co-infection with the influenza virus plus another respiratory virus was detected in 7/501 (1.4%) cases. Influenza virus types were: A (H1N1 and H3N2) 53.2% (67/126); B (Victoria and Yamagata) 46.0% (58/126); A + B 0.8% (1/126). The median direct medical costs associated with each case of laboratory-confirmed influenza was € 177.00 (N = 131). No significant differences were observed between the medical costs associated with influenza A and B. Conclusion: Almost half of the cases were influenza virus B type. The administration of a vaccine containing influenza A and B types to children below 15 years of age might reduce the overall burden of the illness (AU)

Hemagglutinin-esterase-fusion (HEF) protein of influenza C virus

Influenza C virus, a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family, causes flu-like disease but typically only with mild symptoms. Humans are the main reservoir of the virus, but it also infects pigs and dogs. Very recently, influenza C-like viruses were isolated from pigs and cattle that differ from classical influenza C virus and might constitute a new influenza virus genus. Influenza C virus is unique since it contains only one spike protein, the hemagglutinin-esterase-fusion glycoprotein HEF that possesses receptor binding, receptor destroying and membrane fusion activities, thus combining the functions of Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) of influenza A and B viruses. Here we briefly review the epidemiology and pathology of the virus and the morphology of virus particles and their genome. The main focus is on the structure of the HEF protein as well as on its co- and post-translational modification, such as N-glycosylation, disulfide bond formation, S-acylation and proteolytic cleavage into HEF1 and HEF2 subunits. Finally, we describe the functions of HEF: receptor binding, esterase activity and membrane fusion.

Tracking the emergence of pandemic Influenza A/H1N1/2009 and its interaction with seasonal influenza viruses in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Since the emergence of the pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 virus in April 2009, diagnostic testing in many countries has revealed the rapid displacement and then replacement of circulating seasonal influenza viruses by this novel virus.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>In-house seasonal and pandemic influenza-specific polymerase chain reaction assays were introduced and/or developed at the Molecular Diagnosis Centre (MDC) at the National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore. These assays have been used to test all samples received from in-patients, out-patients, staff and visitors for suspected pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 infection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Prior to the arrival of the pandemic A/H1N1/2009 virus in Singapore at the end of May 2009, seasonal influenza A/H3N2 predominated in this population, with very little seasonal influenza A/H1N1 and B viruses detected. Within about 1 month of its arrival in Singapore (mainly during June to July 2009), this pandemic virus rapidly displaced seasonal influenza A/H3N2 to become the predominant strain in the Singaporean population served by MDC/NUH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Realtime molecular techniques have allowed the prompt detection of different influenza subtypes during this current pandemic, which has revealed the displacement/replacement of previously circulating seasonal subtypes with A/H1N1/2009. Although some of this may be explained by immunological cross-reactivity between influenza subtypes, more studies are required.</p>

Cinco preguntas clave en la gripe: una revisión de guías / Five key questions on flu: a review of the guidelines

La gripe es una enfermedad infecciosa aguda provocada por el virus de la influenza A, B y C, que afecta principalmente al aparato respiratorio, se transmite con gran facilidad por secreciones y objetos contaminados, presenta riesgo potencial de complicaciones, especialmente en grupos susceptibles, y es una de las causas más frecuentes de absentismo laboral. Con el objetivo de actualizar el abordaje del síndrome gripal y recopilar información que ayude al clínico en la toma de decisiones, revisamos las recomendaciones presentadas en diferentes guías de práctica clínica. Realizamos una búsqueda en las bases bibliográficas habitualmente utilizadas en el ámbito internacional seleccionando las que sustentan sus recomendaciones en niveles de evidencia y han sido actualizadas en los tres últimos años. Decidimos incluir otras guías que no mencionan niveles de evidencia pero están avaladas por sociedades científicas o instituciones de prestigio internacional. Comparamos las recomendaciones presentadas en cinco aspectos clave: diagnóstico, manejo en los centros sanitarios, tratamiento, consejos e información a la población y vacunación (AU)

Flu is an acute infectious disease caused by the viruses A, B and C. It mainly affects the respiratory system and is easily transmitted by secretions and contaminated objects. It has a potential risk of complications, especially in susceptible groups, and is one of the most common causes of work absenteeism. With the aim of updating flu management and collecting information that will help the doctor in decision making, we reviewed the recommendations given in different clinical practice guidelines. We searched the bibliographical databases commonly used internationally and chose those guidelines that based their recommendations on levels of evidence and that had been updated in the last three years. We decided to include other guidelines that do not mention levels of evidence but that are endorsed by internationally renowned scientific societies or institutions. We compared the recommendations given according to five key elements: diagnosis, management in health centres, treatment, advice and information to the general public and vaccination (AU)

Infección simultánea por virus gripales B y C en el contexto de la vigilancia virológica de la gripe / Simultaneous infection for influenzavirus B and C in the context of the influenza virological surveillance

No disponible

No disponible

Incidencia de la gripe y efectividad de la vacuna antigripal en la temporada 2004-2005 / Incidence of influenza and influenza vaccine effectiveness in the 2004-2005 season

Fundamento. Cuantificar la incidencia de gripe en distintos grupos de la población de Navarra en la temporada 2004-2005 y evaluar la efectividad de la vacunación antigripal.Métodos. El análisis de los casos de gripe del sistema de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria se ha complementado con las notificaciones individualizadas de la red de médicos centinela que atiende a una población de 22.339 habitantes. Se estudió la cobertura y efectividad de la vacuna. Resultados. La cobertura vacunal en Ž65 años alcanzó el 62%. La incidencia de gripe fue de 42,6 casos por 1.000 habitantes. Alcanzó el máximo a mediados de enero, superando 750 casos semanales por 100.000 habitantes y 1.900 casos por 100.000 niños. La mayor tasa de gripe se observó en menores de 15 años (49,4 casos por 1.000 habitantes) y la menor en Ž65 años no institucionalizados (2,6 por 1.000 habitantes), aunque fue mayor en residencias geriátricas (62,1 por 1.000; p<0,0001). El 79% de los casos de 5 a 64 años causó absentismo escolar o laboral. Se identificó el virus de la gripe en 42/65 (65%) frotis nasofaríngeos, siendo el 90% virus gripal A(H3). La incidencia de gripe fue del 3,08% en los no vacunados y del 0,45% en vacunados (p<0,001). La efectividad global de la vacuna antigripal fue del 65%, y en Ž65 años del 73%.Conclusión. Aunque su efectividad no es total, la vacuna es la principal medida para la prevención de la gripe. La red de médicos centinela aporta información útil para la coordinación de actividades asistenciales y de salud pública frente a la gripe

Background. To quantify the incidence of flu in different groups of the population of Navarra in the 2004-2005 season, and to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-flu vaccination. Methods. The analysis of influenza cases in the system of compulsory notificable diseases was complemented by the individualised notifications in the network of sentinel doctors that covers a population of 22,339 inhabitants. The coverage and effectiveness of the vaccine was studied. Results. Vaccine coverage in Ž65 year olds reached 62%. The incidence of influenza was 42.6 cases per 1,000 inhabitants. It reached a maximum in mid-January, exceeding 750 weekly cases per 100,000 inhabitants and 1,900 cases per 100,000 children. The highest rate of influenza was observed in under-15 year olds (49.4 cases per 1,000 inhabitants) and the lowest in non-institutionalised Ž65 year olds (2.6 per 1,000 inhabitants), although it was higher in geriatric residences (62.1 per 1,000; p<0.0001). Seventy-nine percent of the cases from 5 to 64 years resulted in absenteeism from school or work. The flu virus was identified in 42/65 (65%) nasopharyngeal smears, 90% being influenza virus A(H3). The incidence of influenza was 3.08% in the unvaccinated and 0.45% in the vaccinated (p<0.001). The global effectiveness of the anti-flu vaccine was 65%, and in Ž65 years old it was 73%. Conclusion. Although its effectiveness is not total, the vaccine is the main measure for preventing influenza. The network of sentinel doctors provide useful information for the coordination of care and public health activities against flu

Influenza / Influenza virus

El principal virus respiratorio que afecta a los adultos es el Influenza, responsable de brotes epidémicos de gripe y, eventualmente de complicaciones (principalmente neumonías), que pueden llevar a la hospitalización e incluso la muerte. La presentación clásica de la gripe suele ser de fácil reconocimiento, siendo los estudios de laboratorio útiles fundamentalmente con objetivos de investigación. El estudio de las características biológicas y epidemiológicas de los diferentes tipos y subtipos de Influenza ha permitido comprender su comportamiento biológico y así poder desarrollar métodos para enfrentarlo en forma eficaz. La vacunación con virus atenuado constituye la mejor manera de reducir el impacto poblacional del virus Influenza. La efectividad de ésta se optimiza al ser empleada en forma adecuada, especialmente en población de alto riesgo para complicaciones derivadas de la Influenza, como son las personas de 65 o más años de edad y los portadores de enfermedades crónicas cardiorrespiratorias. El desarrollo de medicamentos antivirales específicos ha permitido complementar el uso de la vacuna y proporcionar alguna ayuda en el tratamiento del paciente infectado

Serological analysis reveals circulation of influenza C viruses, Brazil

Foi estudada no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, a circulação de vírus influenza C detectando-se níveis significativos de anticorpos (56,7 por cento) através de reação de inibição de hemaglutinação, o qual é considerada com padrão para estudos em influenzavírus

Analysis of viral and cellular parameters which affect the fusion process of influenza viruses

In the present investigation we studied the fusogenic process developed by influenza A, B and C viruses on cell surfaces and different factors associated with virus and cell membrane structures. The biological activity of purified virus strains was evaluated in hemagglutination, sialidase and fusion assays. Hemolysis by influenza A, B and C viruses ranging from 77.4 to 97.2 percent, from 20.0 to 65.0 percent, from 0.2 to 93.7 percent and from 9.0 to 76.1 percent was observed when human, chicken, rabbit and monkey erythrocytes, respectively, were tested at pH 5.5. At this pH, low hemolysis indexes for influenza A, B and C viruses were observed if horse erythrocytes were used as target cells for the fusion process, which could be explained by an inefficient receptor binding activity of influenza on N-glycolyl sialic acids. Differences in hemaglutinin receptor binding activity due to its specificity to N-acetyl or N-glycolyl cell surface oligosaccharides, density of these cellular receptors and level of negative charges on the cell surface may possibly explain these results, showing influence on the sialidase activity and the fusogenic process. Comparative analysis showed a lack of dependence between the sialidase and fusion activities developed by influenza B viruses. Influenza A viruses at low sialidase titers (<2) also exhibited clearly low hemolysis at pH 5.5 (15.8 percent), while influenza B viruses with similarly low sialidase titers showed highly variable hemolysis indexes (0.2 to 78.0 percent). These results support the idea that different virus and cell-associated factors such as those presented above have a significant effect on the multifactorial fusion process.

Conceptos actuales sobre hepatitis viral / Current concepts on viral hepatitis

Contiene:Serologia de la hepatitis viral,metotos de diagnostico laboratorial en las hepatitis virales, nuevos metodos de diagnostico para el virus de la hepatitis B y C, estado actual de la hepatitis A, mutantes del virus B de la hepatitis y sus implicociones clinicas, infeccion por virus C, hepatitis E, manual de diagnostico y tratamiento de las hepatotias virales

Influenza. Comportamiento en Panamá (1989-1992) / Influenza. Behaviour in Panamá (1989-1992)

Se realiza una revisión de la influenza, las características del virus, el comportamiento epidemiológico, el cuadro clínico, el tratamiento y la prevención. Se analiza su comportamiento epidemiológico en Panamá durante los últimos cuatro años. Se concluye que la influenza continúa siendo un problema importante de salud pública y ejerce gran influencia en la morbilidad por neumonía en niños

The role of respiratory viruses in Jamaica

This thesis describes a survey for respiratory viruses and their antibodies carried out at the Department of Microbiology, U. W. I., Mona from January, 1964 to June, 1966. The thesis is designed to show that representatives of the newer groups of viruses known to be associated with respiratory infections in humans are present in Jamaica, and to give indication of the prevalence of these viruses and their epidemiological behaviour in a tropical area. Two different approaches were made to the problem. Specimens from over 500 patients of ll ages and both sexes, suffering from both mild and severe respiratory infections were examined for the presence of respiratory viruses and their antibodies. Virus infection was detected in 67 (12.14 percent ) of these patients. Members of all the major groups of respiratory viruses, except rhinoviruses, were cultivated and serological conversions to many of them were also observed. Infections in children were found to be fairly common. Secondly, a series of surveys for antibodies to respiratory viruses in the general population were undertaken. Particular attention was paid to group A influenza viruses and their epidemic behaviour. Antibodies to type A2/Jamaica/2/63 influenza virus were widespread in the population, and there was a definite age-distribution of haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to certain other influenza strains. Antibodies to type C influenza virus were very common in the population of Jamaica. Antibodies to the parainfluenza viruses were also not infrequent in the sera of Jamaicans and evidence was obtained to show that these viruses and also respiratory syncytial virus caused frequent infections in infants and young children. Similarly, adenovirus antibodies were found to be acquired by the population at an early age (AU)