1,721,073 research outputs found
Factors Affecting the Implementation Process of Pertussis [Tdap] Immunization in Pregnant Women in an Italian Region: A Qualitative Study
Full text linkWhooping cough (pertussis) represents one of the most prevalent vaccine-preventable diseases in Western countries, capable of causing disease in infants, with a high risk of severe complications. To protect new-borns from pertussis, many countries have introduced the acellular pertussis adult vaccine in combination with tetanus and diphtheria toxoids for women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Thanks to the approval of the new National Immunization Prevention Plan 2017–2019: Italy is among those countries. The Italian health-care system is a regionally based National Health Service, therefore, regions organize and implement new vaccination strategy on their own. This study focuses on Tuscany's experience in implementing the maternal pertussis vaccination. The present study had a qualitative design: we obtained information about the implementation process through interviews with relevant stakeholders involved in the planning or implementation of vaccination programme at different levels. We noticed heterogeneous implementation's status between Tuscan Health Care Departments. The most frequently reported barriers influencing the success of the implementation process of this prevention strategy included: lack of accountability, lack of enabling instruments, financial constraints, logistics barriers, training deficiencies, attitudes of health care workers, and lack of communication experts. The implementation of new vaccination programs is complex and challenging. Often the importance of education and information activities targeting health professionals are underestimated and underfunded. These elements would need to be carefully considered and adequate provisions should be made to address them when designing and implementing effective vaccine interventions
Knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning pertussis maternal immunization in a sample of Italian gynaecologists
No full textInfants are at risk of developing serious diseases as a consequence of pertussis infection. Thus, to protect newborns, many countries, including Italy, have introduced pertussis maternal immunization. However, despite the compelling evidence supporting Tdap vaccinations, the rates of coverage among Italian pregnant women have remained consistently very low. Numerous studies have shown that healthcare providers’ recommendations are critical for achieving high maternal vaccination coverages. This study explores Italian gynecologists’ knowledge, attitude and practices concerning pertussis maternal immunization. Between July 2018 and September 2018, we performed a national cross-sectional survey administered by e-mail using the mailing list of the Association of Italian Hospital Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AOGOI): the mailing list included more than 3500 members. A total of 451 respondents distributed throughout Italy completed the online survey. Overall, 275 (60.97%) respondents did not routinely recommend pertussis vaccination to pregnant women, mainly for suboptimal knowledge of the maternal pertussis vaccine, protocols, and guidelines: furthermore, 15.44% (69/447) of gynecologists were not aware of the pertussis vaccination program for pregnant women. Gynecologists working in the South or in the Islands of Italy were less aware about the need of administering Tdap in expectant mothers, suggesting that there is a potential risk of health inequalities based on differing levels of vaccine knowledge and recommendations across Italy. In order to enable healthcare professionals to provide accurate and timely information on pertussis immunization to pregnant women, targeted educational programs to improve gynecologists’ knowledge on pertussis vaccination are needed
Countering vaccine hesitancy through immunization information systems, a narrative review
Full text linkImmunization is one of the most important public health interventions to contrast infectious disease; however, many people nowadays refuse vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is due to several factors that influence the complex decision-making process. Information technology tools might play an important role in vaccination programs. In particular, immunization information systems (IISs) have the potential to improve performance of vaccination programs and to increase vaccine uptake. This review aimed to present IIS functionalities in order to counter VH. In detail, we analyzed the automatic reminder/recall system, the interoperability of the system, the decision support system, the web page interface and the possibility to record adverse events following immunization. IIS could concretely represent a valid instrument to increase vaccine confidence, especially trust in both health-care workers and decision makers. There are not enough trials aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IIS to counter VH. Further researches might focalize on this aspect
Safety evaluation of the DTaP5-IPV-Hib-HepB vaccine: a review
No full textIntroduction: The DTaP5-IPV-Hib-HepB vaccine is the most recently approved combination hexavalent vaccine. In Europe, it is licensed since 2016 for primary and booster vaccination in infants and toddlers above the age of 6 weeks to provide active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, invasive diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B. In the US, DTaP5-IPV-Hib-HepB is approved since 2018 in children 6 weeks through 4 years of age. Its safety profile has been extensively documented in infants and children born at term, and also data in preterm infants are made available. Areas covered: In this article, we conducted a safety evaluation of the DTaP5-IPV-Hib-HepB vaccine in infants and toddlers considering evidence from clinical trials and post-marketing use, also with regard to data on special populations e.g. preterm infants. Expert opinion: Based on the available data, the DTaP5-IPV-Hib-HepB vaccine has demonstrated a good safety profile, similar to that of other approved penta- and hexavalent vaccines. Rather, post-marketing data are limited and are frequently reported in combination with other hexavalent vaccines or are not adjusted for shares of vaccines use. Neither relevant interferences with other co-administered pediatric vaccines nor safety issues in premature infants have been shown
Vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination among Italian healthcare workers: A review of current literature
No full textProtection of healthcare workers (HCWs) from biological hazards in the workplace has the added benefit of contributing to the quality of patient care and patient safety. Vaccinated HCWs act as a barrier against the spread of infections and maintain essential healthcare delivery during outbreaks. In Italy, specific recommendations for vaccination of HCWs are issued by the Ministry of Health within the framework of the National Immunization Prevention Plan. These recommendations provide advice regarding HCW vaccination for hepatitis B, influenza, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and tuberculosis. This paper summarizes the current literature on vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination among Italian HCWs
Risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in healthcare settings
Full text linkThe transmission of infectious agents within healthcare settings is a priority public health problem. Although the main burden of healthcare-associated infections is commonly caused by Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, vaccine-preventable diseases represent an additional infectious risk for patients attending healthcare facilities. Hepatitis B, rotavirus gastroenteritis, influenza, measles, pertussis and pneumococcal and meningococcal invasive bacterial infections still represent a threat, notwithstanding the presence of universal vaccination programs. For this reason, healthcare worker immunization is an important strategy to limit the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases in such a fragile population
Impact of mandatory law on vaccine hesitancy spectrum: The case of measles vaccine catch-up activities in Tuscany, Italy
Full text linkCommentary on the impact of 2017 Italian law mandating ten vaccinations for children
Impact of mandatory law on vaccine hesitancy spectrum: The case of measles vaccine catch-up activities in Tuscany, Italy
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