Measles Mumps Rubella Research Articles

Assessment of mumps-containing vaccine effectiveness by dose during 2006 to 2020 in Quzhou, China

ABSTRACT Mumps cases were reported frequently when a routine dose measles–mumps–rubella(MMR) achieved high coverage in Quzhou. The supplementary immunization activities (SIA) using measles mumps (MM) was conducted to control mumps outbreaks. The effectiveness of one and two doses of mumps-containing vaccine (MuCV) was assessed using surveillance data in this study. Mumps cases and immunization information were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) and the Zhejiang Provincial Immunization Information System (ZJIIS), respectively. Mumps cases of children born from 2006 to 2010 were included. Vaccine effectiveness by dose was calculated using the screening method. A total of 956 mumps cases were identified, of whom 754 (78.9%) had received one dose of MuCV; 108 (11.3%) had received two doses; 94 (9.8%) were unvaccinated. The coverage of one-dose MuCV in the 2006–2010 birth cohorts ranged from 91.6% to 98.9%. Except the 2009 birth cohort in which the coverage of two doses of MuCV was 55.1%, the others were less than 10%. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) of one dose ranged from 47.4% to 86.0%, while VE of two doses ranged from 64.0% to 92.4%. The VE of one and two doses of MuCV waned over time, but the VE of two doses was consistently higher than that of one dose in the same period. The vaccine schedule with two-dose MMR should be implemented among children in Quzhou. The optimal age for the second dose needs to be further evaluated.

Triple Intralesional Antigen Immunotherapy versus Monoantigen in the Treatment of Multiple Recalcitrant Warts.

IntroductionWarts can be resistant to treatment or recur despite the use of various destructive and immunotherapeutic modalities. Combination immunotherapy might contribute to better response rates. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a triple intralesional immunotherapy combination composed of purified protein derivative (PPD), Candida antigen, and measles–mumps–rubella vaccine (MMR), versus each agent alone, in the management of multiple recalcitrant warts.MethodsIn total, 160 patients with numerous resistant extragenital warts were included in the research. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups (each with 40 patients): PPD, Candida antigen, and MMR, or combination of the three antigens. Injections into the biggest wart were repeated every 2 weeks until clearance or for a total of five sessions.ResultsComplete wart clearance was reported in 31 patients (77.5%) who received triple-antigen immunotherapy, 23 patients (57.5%) who received intralesional PPD, 29 patients (72.5%) injected with Candida antigen, and 25 patients (62.5%) who received MMR. The combined therapy was found to be superior to the other therapies and had the lowest recurrence rate, but the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionsTriple intralesional antigen immunotherapy is as safe as, and more effective than, monoantigen immunotherapy, and can be added to the armamentarium against recalcitrant human papilloma virus (HPV) infections.

An Economic Analysis of Mumps Vaccination in Fiji: Static Model Simulation of Routine Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccination Instead of Current Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination.

Mumps remains endemic in Fiji, with 7802 cases reported between 2016 and 2018. The introduction of mumps vaccination has been discouraged due to perceptions of mumps as a self-limited disease and the perceived high cost of mumps vaccines. We estimated the benefits and costs of introducing a mumps vaccination program in Fiji. First, we estimated the burden of mumps and mumps-related complications in Fiji based on the reported cases in the Fiji National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System between 2016 and 2018. We then developed a static simulation model with stable mumps herd immunity after routine measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccination. Finally, we compared the estimated economic burden of mumps with current MR vaccination and the assumptive burden of the stable-state simulation model after routine MMR vaccination. The benefit–cost ratios (BCRs) were 2.65 from the taxpayer view and 3.00 from the societal view. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that the 1st and 99th percentiles of BCRs were 1.4 and 5.2 from the taxpayer’s perspective and 1.5 and 6.1 from the societal perspective. From both the taxpayer and societal perspectives, the probability of BCRs greater than 1.0 was 100%. A routine MMR program has value for money from both the taxpayer and societal perspectives. MMR vaccination should be urgently introduced in Fiji.

Unlocking Conspiracy Belief Systems: How Fact-Checking Label on Twitter Counters Conspiratorial MMR Vaccine Misinformation

ABSTRACT This study tested whether a simple fact-checking label on Twitter effectively reduces vaccine conspiracy beliefs, misinformation engagement intentions, and vaccination intentions. A web-based experiment (N = 206) of adults living in the United States through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) was conducted for the measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine in March 2020. The results showed that the fact-checking label attached to the conspiratorial misinformation post significantly reduced MMR vaccine conspiracy beliefs compared to the no fact-checking (misinformation-only) condition but did not directly affect MMR misinformation engagement intentions and MMR vaccination intentions. In addition, we found that the fact-checking label effectively decreased vaccine conspiracy beliefs and misinformation engagement intentions for those whose prior favorable attitudes toward MMR vaccination were relatively low. Based on our findings, we suggest that public health professionals and health communicators use the fact-checking label as a promising tool for countering conspiracy theories about vaccination. However, they should further seek alternative ways to limit the public’s engagement in misinformation-related activities on social media and promote health protective behavioral intentions, given the limited effects of fact-checking labels.

Vaccine Hesitancy Counseling-an Educational Intervention to Teach a Critical Skill to Preclinical Medical Students.

IntroductionThere has been a recent rise in public perception that vaccines are unsafe, fostering vaccine hesitancy (VH). Few interventions have focused on teaching medical students’ communication skills for counseling vaccine-hesitant patients.MethodsOur educational intervention, designed for medical students, involved a self-study module followed by an interactive session on VH. Students practiced counseling vaccine-hesitant standardized patients (SPs). Faculty and SPs assessed student counseling skills. Students completed pre- and post-intervention surveys to assess attitudes and preparedness to counsel VH patients.ResultsStudents showed a better ability to talk to parents about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine concerns and Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR)/autism-related issues than to address patients’ concerns related to the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) vaccine.Students’ surveys pre- and post-intervention revealed significant improvement in their vaccination knowledge and comfort with counseling vaccine-hesitant patients. Student counseling skills as part of an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) showed 73% of students asked about immunization and elicited SP concerns, but only 36% counseled appropriately.ConclusionsIn the face of emerging VH, physicians play a critical role in advising and influencing vaccination decisions. Therefore, it is a core responsibility of medical educators to train medical students on recommending vaccinations and responding effectively to vaccine-hesitant parents and patients. Our multifaceted interactive session provided preclinical students with knowledge and skills to improve communication skills with VH patients and parents and the need for ongoing practice of these VH counseling skills.

Оценка осведомленности о вакцинации против кори

Актуальность. В условиях пандемии COVID-19 во многих странах происходит снижение уровней охвата вакцинацией, что в дальнейшем может способствовать возникновению новых вспышек вакциноуправляемых заболеваний. Уже сегодня значительное количество детей рискуют не получить необходимую прививку против кори. Цель исследования: оценить грамотность студентов-медиков в вопросах иммунизации против кори, проанализировать их отношение к вакцинации и установить, что влияет на принятие решения, определить основные вопросы, которые беспокоят относительно вакцинации против кори. Материалы и методы. Проведено анонимное онлайн-анкетирование 350 студентов-медиков с помощью Google Forms. Результаты. Согласно Национальному календарю прививок, 80 % участников получили две дозы вакцины против кори, паротита, краснухи (КПК), 2,9 % — одну, 12,9 % — три, 1,4 % оказались непривитыми и 2,9 % не владели точной информацией о вакцинальном статусе. Основные причины, помешавшие иммунизации, следующие: частые заболевания в детстве, наличие хронических заболеваний, отсутствие вакцины, сомнения в качестве вакцины. Во время вспышки студенты вакцинировались по требованию учебного заведения (31 %), собственной инициативе (50 %), совету родителей (17,2 %) и врачей (9,5 %). Среди возможных источников информации студенты выбирали советы врачей (73,9 %), данные интернет-ресурсов (36,9 %) и специальной медицинской литературы (34,2 %). Почти все студенты (95 %) знали схему введения вакцины КПК. Большая часть из них (66,6 %) была осведомлена об условиях хранения, приоритетном месте и пути введения вакцины, но не владела информацией о вспомогательных компонентах, входящих в состав вакцины, ее эффективности и продолжительности иммунитета после иммунизации. Вакцинацию как профилактическое мероприятие поддержали всего 53,3 % студентов. Выводы. Полученные данные указывают на необходимость повышения осведомленности в вопросах вакцинопрофилактики, разработки новых стратегий общения с пациентами о преимуществах иммунизации. Изучение причин отказов от прививок, повышение грамотности иммунизации путем эффективной коммуникации как будущих врачей, так и простых граждан с целью содействия принятию обоснованного решения могут помочь работникам здравоохранения в повышении охвата вакцинацией КПК.

Intralesional Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine versus BCG in the treatment of multiple cutaneous warts: a comparative study

Background: Verrucae or warts are benign epithelial proliferations that occur due to accumulation of keratinocytes induced by HPV. Immunotherapy is a new promising modality which uses the principle of activation of one’s own immunity against the disease. Materials and methods: The study included 40 patients with multiple cutaneous warts in two groups of 20 each. Assigned treatment was injected into the single largest wart at an interval of 3 weeks until complete clearance or for a maximum of 3 times. Results: A statistically significant difference (p=0.018) was seen in the therapeutic response when compared to that of the BCG. All 20(100%) patients in the MMR group showed >50% clearance while in the BCG group 14(70%) patients showed >50% clearance according to Physician’s Global Assessment scores. Conclusions: Intralesional immunotherapy with MMR and BCG vaccines are both safe and promising whereas the therapy with MMR stands out with statistically significant results.

COVID-19 Vaccine Associated Parkinson's Disease, A Prion Disease Signal in the UK Yellow Card Adverse Event Database

Many have argued that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its mRNA sequence, found in all COVID-19 vaccines, are priongenic. The UK’s Yellow Card database of COVID-19 vaccine adverse event reports was evaluated for signals consistent with a pending epidemic of COVID vaccine induced prion disease. Adverse event reaction rates from AstraZeneca’s vaccine were compared to adverse event rates for Pfizer’s COVID vaccines. The vaccines employ different technologies allowing for potential differences in adverse event rates but allowing each to serve as a control group for the other. The analysis showed a highly statistically significant and clinically relevant (2.6-fold) increase in Parkinson’s disease, a prion disease, in the AstraZeneca adverse reaction reports compared to the Pfizer vaccine adverse reaction reports (p= 0.000024). These results are consistent with monkey toxicity studies showing infection with SARS-CoV-2 results in Lewy Body formation. The findings suggest that regulatory approval, even under an emergency use authorization, for COVID vaccines was premature and that widespread use should be halted until full long term safety studies evaluating prion toxicity has een complete. Alternative vaccines like the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine should be explored for those desiring immunization against COVID-19.Many have argued that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its mRNA sequence, found in all COVID-19 vaccines, are priongenic. The UK’s Yellow Card database of COVID-19 vaccine adverse event reports was evaluated for signals consistent with a pending epidemic of COVID vaccine induced prion disease. Adverse event reaction rates from AstraZeneca’s vaccine were compared to adverse event rates for Pfizer’s COVID vaccines. The vaccines employ different technologies allowing for potential differences in adverse event rates but allowing each to serve as a control group for the other. The analysis showed a highly statistically significant and clinically relevant (2.6-fold) increase in Parkinson’s disease, a prion disease, in the AstraZeneca adverse reaction reports compared to the Pfizer vaccine adverse reaction reports (p= 0.000024). These results are consistent with monkey toxicity studies showing infection with SARS-CoV-2 results in Lewy Body formation. The findings suggest that regulatory approval, even under an emergency use authorization, for COVID vaccines was premature and that widespread use should be halted until full long term safety studies evaluating prion toxicity has been complete. Alternative vaccines like the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine should be explored for those desiring immunization against COVID-19.

Incidence of Vaccine-Preventable Childhood Diseases in the European Union and in the European Free Trade Association Countries.

Introduction: Despite the widespread availability of vaccines, the incidence of vaccine-preventable childhood diseases (VPCD) started to grow in recent years. The aim of the study was to compare the annual incidence of selected VPCDs in the EU (European Union) and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries in the period of the last 5 years (2014–2019 or other intervals, depending on data availability), and the country-specific vaccine schedules. Methods: VPCD incidence rates in Europe were based on “The Surveillance Atlas of Infectious Diseases” by the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control); vaccination schedules were based on ECDC reports. Results: The obligation to vaccinate was not universal, and it generally only applied to two preparations: the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and the one against polio. During the study, the situation associated with mumps did not change or improve in individual countries; the median incidence amounted to 30 cases. The median incidence associated with rubella amounted to 1 case, but in a few countries, it grew very rapidly, i.e., in Germany, Italy, and Romania; in Poland, the incidence was clearly decreasing, from 5923 to 1532 cases. The most dynamic situation concerned measles. The total median was 2.4 cases per 100,000 population; the only one country with falling incidence was Germany. The diseases associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis remained at a stable level in all analyzed countries. Conclusion: Vaccine schedules differ among the countries, so does the epidemiological situation of selected diseases. Morbidity on measles was the most disturbing phenomenon: the incidence rate increased in almost 40% of all countries, regardless of the obligation to vaccinate. The increasing incidence of VPCD may be due to anti-vaccine movements, the activity of which is often caused by mistrust and spreading misinformation. In order to better prevent the increase in morbidity, standardization of vaccine schedules and documentation should be considered in the EU countries.

COVID-19 in the Indian Territory of Lakshadweep – Role of MMR Vaccination in the Management of COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a contagious disease which has spread across the entire world within one year and four months of its first appearance in Wuhan, China. Since then new mutated strains of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected in most of the countries including India; the first variant being detected in the United Kingdom (B 7.1.1). We had reported earlier that some regions of Indian Territory had minimal spread of COVID-19 in the population. Among them, one exception was territory of Lakshadweep which did not have even a single case of COVID-19 until December, 2020. However, the first case of COVID-19 emerged in Lakshadweep in January, 2021. The significance of spread of COVID-19 in the population which were previously immunized with MMR (Mumps Measles Rubella) vaccine with plausible role of MMR vaccination in management of COVID-19 has been evaluated in this article.

Vaccination deaths and the samoan measles outbreak

On July 6th 2018, two 1 year old infants died shortly after receiving the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Events over the following months amplified this tragedy. The investigation of these deaths will discussed, along with the events that culminated in an epidemic that resulted in the death of 83 people, predominantly children, in the Pacific nation.

Evaluation of Immunity for Mumps among Vaccinated Medical Students.

Healthcare workers are considered at higher risk for mumps infection than the general population. Since 2017, the national immunization plan recommended the administration of a dose of measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine to the healthcare operators who are unable to demonstrate a complete vaccination history or that are seronegative for at least one of the three agents. Regarding mumps infection, based on actual concerns regarding the loss of protection over the years after vaccination, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended to administer a third dose of vaccine to operators previously vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine who belong to a group at increased risk of mumps infection in the event of an epidemic. This guideline, however, is not currently followed in Italy, resulting in a potential risk for vaccinated operators to become unprotected from mumps over the years. The aim of our study is to evaluate the persistence of a protective antibody level for mumps among medical students vaccinated during infancy or adolescence, at the start of their hospital internship. We retrospectively evaluated mumps-specific IgG levels in a group of medical students, in the period from 1 January to 31 December 2020. We evaluated the persistence of the detectable level of mumps-specific antibodies in relation to their vaccinal status, gender and time elapsed from vaccination. We found that 17.4% (65 subjects) of our sample were seronegative for mumps. The univariate analysis showed a significant difference in serological protection between male and female gender (77.0% vs. 86.2%; p < 0.05 with chi2 test) and between age classes (86.5% vs. 76.4%; p < 0.05 for subjects aged 18–23 years and over 23 years, respectively). Female gender was significantly related to higher serological protection even after adjusting for age classes and number of vaccine doses administered in a multivariate analysis model. Our study shows a substantial percentage of subjects lacking a protective mumps titer among medical students who were vaccinated in childhood. Given the higher risk of infection among those subjects, routine pre-employment screening should be performed among those operators regardless of their vaccination history and a third dose of MMR should be offered to unprotected students.

Mandatory Infant Vaccinations in France During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020.

Objectives: To describe changes in the dispensation of 11 mandatory vaccines to infants in France during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, considering the priming doses and boosters separately.Methods: With data from the French national health database, all dispensations of priming doses and boosters of 11 mandatory vaccines [penta/hexavalent, measles mumps rubella (MMR), meningococcal conjugate type-C (Men-C-C), 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13)] for infants ≤24 months old were aggregated by 4-week periods in 2020. Expected counts in 2020 were estimated according to counts in 2019 weighted by a ratio considering the level of vaccine dispensation before the pandemic onset in 2020. Relative differences (RDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to compare the observed and expected counts during the first and second lockdown and the period in between.Results: During the first 4 weeks of the first lockdown, as compared with the expected numbers, the observed priming dose counts substantially decreased [RD: from −5.7% (95% CI −6.1; −5.2) for penta/hexavalent to −25.2% (95% CI −25.6; −24.8) for MMR], as did the booster counts [RD: from −15.3% (95% CI −15.9; −14.7) for penta/hexavalent to −20.7% (95% CI −21.3; −20.2) for Men-C-C]. Counts for priming doses and boosters remained slightly below the expected numbers after the lockdown. During 2020, MMR priming doses and the Men-C-C booster had the greatest shortfalls (N = 84,893 and 72,500, respectively).Conclusions: This study provides evidence of a lack of vaccination catch-up after the first lockdown and a persistent shortfall in infant vaccination after the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in France, especially for the MMR priming doses and Men-C-C booster.

Relative efficacy and safety of intralesional measles mumps rubella vaccine (MMR) and intralesional vitamin D in multiple and recalcitrant verrucae vulgaris

Verrucae or Warts are the viral infection of skin and mucosae caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Destructive modalities are the mainstay of treatment. They can have their own shortcomings like pain, infection, scarring and recurrence. To overcome these, immunotherapy is the emerging modality.To study the relative efficacy and safety of intralesional Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine and intralesional Vitamin D in the treatment of multiple and recalcitrant verruca vulgaris.50 patients with multiple (&amp;#62;5) and recalcitrant warts were enrolled and divided randomly into two groups (Group A and Group B): In Group A, 25 patients were injected 0.3ml MMR vaccine whereas in Group B, 25 patients were injected 0.5ml Vitamin D injection after achieving anaesthesia with 0.2ml injection Lignocaine into the largest wart at 2 weeks interval until complete clearance or for maximum of 3 injections whichever was earlier. Patients were followed up fortnightly for 12 weeks.In Group A, 19 (76%) patients showed Grade IV, 2 (8%) patients had Grade III, 3 (12%) patients had GII and only 1 (4%) patient had Grade I improvement. In Group B on the other hand, 15 (60%) patients showed Grade IV, 4 (16%) patients had GIII, 4 (16%) patients had Grade II and 2 (8%) patients had Grade I improvement. None of the patients developed new lesions in both groups.Both the immunotherapeutic treatments are safe, economic and less traumatic to the patients as compared to the destructive procedures for the treatment of warts.

Risk of Absence of Measles Antibody in Healthcare Personnel and Efficacy of Booster Vaccination

We aimed to identify the presence of the measles IgG antibody (mIgG-Ab) in healthcare personnel and finding out who needs the measles vaccination. The history of measles vaccination was obtained from the national vaccine registry. A baseline mIgG-Ab test was performed, and the measles vaccine was administered to participants who tested negative or equivocal for mIgG-Abs. During the study, 2885 (87.3%) of the 3303 employees were tested for measles serostatus. The baseline seropositivity rate for mIgG-Abs was 91.9%. Among the 234 seronegative cases, 82.9% were born after 1985. The seroprevalence rate was lower in those who received the measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine >10 years before the testing time, especially if they were born after 1985 and if there was only one previous record of vaccination. Among the 234 seronegative cases, MMR vaccination was administered in 174 cases, of which serostatus was evaluated in 146 cases. After the first dose, positive seroconversion was achieved in 126 participants (86.3%). After a second dose, 15 achieved (75.0%) positive seroconversion. In healthcare personnel born after the period when measles incidence significantly decreased, it may be necessary to reassess their immune status for measles if more than 10 years have elapsed since the last vaccination.

Acute parotitis in a 4‐year‐old in association with COVID‐19

An otherwise healthy 4-year-old boy presented with a day of malaise, diarrhoea, vomiting and mild abdominal pain. He had a history of asthma for which he had been taking montelukast for a year. He was up to date with his immunisations, including the measles–mumps–rubella vaccine. One day earlier, his parents were diagnosed with COVID-19 disease by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays on respiratory specimens. At presentation, the boy was haemodynamically stable with a completely normal physical examination. A combined oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab was positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. He was not admitted. Four days later, however, the child was admitted to our tertiary hospital with right-sided facial swelling and pain, especially in the pre-auricular area and cheek, with difficulty swallowing. The swelling measured 2 × 2 cm, extended from the pre-auricular region to the mandible and was soft and non-fluctuant (Fig. 1). There was no purulent discharge after the parotid massage. Other systems examinations were normal. Laboratory tests results showed a total white cell count of 3.6 × 109/L and neutrophil count 1.3 × 109/L. Liver and kidney function tests were normal. Serum amylase was 147 U/L (normal 28–100). Serology was negative for mumps, measles, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis C, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human immunodeficiency virus. Neck ultrasonography showed diffuse, hypoechoic enlargement of the parotid gland, compatible with acute parotitis. No pathological lymphadenopathy was detected. The patient was treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. At follow-up, 3 days later, his facial swelling had resolved. Acute parotitis has been reported in association with COVID-19 in adults.1-5 The most common cause of acute parotitis in childhood is mumps,6 which is usually bilateral. Other infections which can cause parotitis include rubella, coxsackievirus, influenza, herpesviruses and human immunodeficiency virus. Non-infectious causes include recurrent parotitis of childhood, which may have an auto-immune basis.7 The adult cases of COVID-19-associated parotitis were usually unilateral and clinically similar to our case, with onset mostly 1–3 days after commencement of COVID-19 symptoms.1-5 Cases of COVID-19-associated parotitis in children are rare. In a case series of 15 patients with COVID-19-associated parotitis, only 2 were children (10 and 13 years old).2 Our case is the youngest child reported with parotitis associated with COVID-19 to our knowledge. Permission was obtained from family and patient to use the patient's picture.

Associations between Meteorological Factors and Reported Mumps Cases from 1999 to 2020 in Japan.

The present study investigated associations between epidemiological mumps patterns and meteorological factors in Japan. We used mumps surveillance data and meteorological data from all 47 prefectures of Japan from 1999 to 2020. A time-series analysis incorporating spectral analysis and the least-squares method was adopted. In all power spectral densities for the 47 prefectures, spectral lines were observed at frequency positions corresponding to 1-year and 6-month cycles. Optimum least-squares fitting (LSF) curves calculated with the 1-year and 6-month cycles explained the underlying variation in the mumps data. The LSF curves reproduced bimodal and unimodal cycles that are clearly observed in northern and southern Japan, respectively. In investigating factors associated with the seasonality of mumps epidemics, we defined the contribution ratios of a 1-year cycle (Q1) and 6-month cycle (Q2) as the contributions of amplitudes of 1-year and 6-month cycles, respectively, to the entire amplitude of the time series data. Q1 and Q2 were significantly correlated with annual mean temperature. The vaccine coverage rate of a measles-mumps-rubella vaccine might not have affected the 1-year and 6-month modes of the time series data. The results of the study suggest an association between mean temperature and mumps epidemics in Japan.

Vaccine coverage among children with epilepsy in two Canadian provinces: A Canadian immunization research network study

ObjectivesChildren with epilepsy are at increased risk of complications from vaccine-preventable infections, yet information on vaccine coverage in these children is scarce. We aimed to compare vaccine coverage among children with epilepsy to children without epilepsy. Study designWe conducted a retrospective cohort study including all 2005–2013 births in Manitoba and Ontario, Canada, creating two cohorts: 2-year-olds and 7-year-olds (followed to age 2 and 7 years). We split each cohort into epilepsy and non-epilepsy subcohorts. We assessed vaccination coverage based on provincial schedules and determined timeliness of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) dose 1 (recommended at 12 months) and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) dose 4 (recommended at 18 months). We used logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of the association between epilepsy and vaccination, combining both provincial estimates using random effects meta-analysis. ResultsWe included 16,558 2-year-olds (Manitoba, 653; Ontario, 15,905) and 13,004 7-year-olds (Manitoba, 483; Ontario, 12,521) with epilepsy. At age 2 years, the aOR for up-to-date vaccination among children with versus without epilepsy was 0.9 (95% confidence interval 0.8–1.1); at age 7 years it was 1.0 (0.9–1.1). Infants diagnosed with epilepsy before age 6 months were less likely to be up-to-date at age 2 years (0.9; 0.8–0.9), although this difference disappeared by age 7 years. Vaccine timeliness was similar between children with and without epilepsy for MMR dose 1 and DTaP dose 4. ConclusionsOverall, this study suggests that children with epilepsy are not significantly under-vaccinated compared to their peers without epilepsy. As children with epilepsy are at a higher risk of complications from vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccination in children with epilepsy should be optimized, especially early in life, as these children may not be able to rely on herd protection.

Bacterial and Viral Vaccination (non EPI) Coverage among Students in Three Educational Institutions in Bangladesh

Introduction: The implementation of the vaccine has already been shown to be a great success to reduce communicable diseases and its associated morbidity among human globally. The aim of this study was to figure out the actual rate of population who received non EPI bacterial and viral vaccines and to determine the risk factors associated with it.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted between September 2011 and August 2014 among 3600 students aged from 18 years to 24 years. Data of total 12 non EPI vaccines (5 bacterial - Cholera and ETEC diarrhea vaccine, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, Tetanus and Typhoid; 7 viral- Chicken pox, Cervical vaccine, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine, Rota viral and Seasonal flu vaccine) were collected from the individuals’ vaccine cards. All vaccine timelines were categorized into timely, early, delayed and missed based on recommended time of vaccination. Different parameters were considered to determine the socio-demographic factors related to vaccination.&#x0D; Results: Total of 3600 study population were selected from three different institutes. Percentage of rural students was almost 3.2 times higher than that of urban. About 1746(48.5%) student were from middle class family. About 2125(59.03%) of the participant’s had not adequate knowledge of vaccination. Out of 3600 study population for bacterial vaccine, rate of Tetanus vaccine was the highest in percentage which was 1248(34.67%). Percentage of other bacterial vaccines such as Cholera and ETEC diarrhea, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal and Typhoid vaccination percentages were only 27(0.75%), 29(0.81%), 111(3.08%) and 34(0.94%) respectively. Among viral vaccines, the highest receiving vaccine was Hepatitis B. 2763(76.75%) people were immune with hepatitis B vaccine. Percentage of Hepatitis A was 337(9.36%), Rota viral vaccine was 330(9.17%), Measles Mumps Rubella was 249(6.92%) and Chicken pox was 83(2.31%). The percentage was less in case of Cervical HPV and Seasonal flu vaccines which were 12(0.33%) and 20(0.56%) respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: Vaccines have proven the potential capability to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases, however, findings from the study show that people have still not been aware of non EPI bacterial and viral vaccines which can protect people from life threatening diseases and their complications.&#x0D; Medicine Today 2021 Vol.33(1): 80-83

Relationship Between Vaccination Status and Biopsychosocial Characteristics in Sheltered Adolescents.

IntroductionHomeless youth are a vulnerable population. A volunteer clinic supported by medical students in northeastern Pennsylvania provides shelter and healthcare to adolescents seeking refuge. We set out to determine the immunization status of youth in the shelter and evaluate for associations of immunization deficiency with demographics or biopsychosocial factors.MethodsAfter IRB approval, a retrospective cohort study was performed from existing clinical records at the shelter 2/2015-9/2019. Chart abstraction included variables such as demographics (including age, sex, and race/ethnicity), biopsychosocial factors (including childhood trauma/abuse history, substance abuse history, and sexual activity), and immunization history.ResultsA total of 440 charts were analyzed. When comparing demographics of patients that had complete vaccine regimens versus those who did not, the race was statistically significant (p=.006). The most prominent difference in race was seen for Black/African American patients; only 19.57% had a completed vaccine regimen documented. Regarding immunization history, vaccine schedules of hepatitis B, measles mumps rubella (MMR), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), and varicella were most likely to be complete; pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) 13, rotavirus, influenza, and human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) were least likely. There was no association found between a completed vaccine regimen and biopsychosocial variables. A larger portion of females (37.35%) completed the HPV vaccine compared to males (23.14%) (p=.009).ConclusionsIn this single-site study, this vulnerable, at-risk population of sheltered adolescents lacked the vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Racial disparities further compounded this vulnerability for Black/African American teens. Additionally, a significantly greater number of female patients received the HPV vaccine compared to males.