Abstract
In Ireland, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for adults aged 65 years and over and for those with chronic illness or immunosuppression. Influenza vaccine is recommended for healthcare workers (HCWs) and residents of long stay care facilities. Influenza vaccine uptake is only available for those aged 65 years and over. We conducted a survey to estimate the size of risk groups between 18 and 64 years of age, influenza and pneumococcal vaccine uptake in this group, and to determine possible factors influencing vaccine uptake to improve targeted immunisation programmes. Among respondents aged 18-64 years, 136 of 1,218 (11%) belonged to a health risk group; uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine in these risk groups was 28% (95% CI: 20.9-35.4) and 11% (95% CI: 6.7-17.2) respectively. Uptake among persons aged over 65 years was 69% (95% CI: 62.2-74.4) and 41% (95% CI: 35.0-47.9) for influenza and pneumococcal vaccine, respectively. Influenza vaccine uptake among HCWs was 20% (95% CI: 13.1-28.7). Half (47.6%) of influenza-vaccinated respondents reported that their family doctor had recommended it; 60% of non-vaccinated respondents, for whom influenza vaccine was indicated, saw themselves at low risk of influenza.
Highlights
Campylobacteriosis is the commonest reported bacterial cause of infectious intestinal disease in Ireland
Illness is characterised by severe diarrhoea and abdominal pain
More severe sequelae may develop such as reactive arthritis, Reiter’s syndrome, or HUS and approximately one in every 1,000 cases leads to a severe neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Summary
Campylobacteriosis is the commonest reported bacterial cause of infectious intestinal disease in Ireland. Two species account for the majority of infections: Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. Illness is characterised by severe diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Antibiotics are indicated in cases of severe or prolonged illness. Undercooked meat especially poultry is often associated with illness as is unpasteurised milk and untreated water. The majority of infections, remain largely unexplained by recognised risk factors for disease. Age standardised incidence rates (ASIR) were calculated to allow comparisons to be made between HSE areas without the confounding effects of age (figure 2). In 2006, the highest incidence was reported from HSE W followed by HSE M. The lowest rate was reported from HSE NE (figure 2)
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