Health Effects of Diseases Protected by Combined Vaccines Used in Albania

In order to increase the convenience of application and minimize logistical problems in the recent years, the use of combined vaccines has become a growing trend. The use of combined vaccines offers benefits such as, a reduction in the number of patient visits, less complications which are associated with multiple intramuscular drilling and other risks. In 1997 the Department of Epidemiology （DE） of Institute of Public Health initiated and carried out conspicuous quantitative and qualitative modifications of up-to-them statutory notification system thus compiling the new Major Disease-Based Epidemiological Surveillance System. Mandatory reporting system on Measles/Rubella Case-Based Surveillance represents in itself an addendum of the statutory reporting system of infectious diseases. These diseases are enlisted in the Group B of the 14/Sh Form. Diphtheria is enlisted in the Group A containing the infectious diseases of the highest public health importance. They are subject of a mandatory urgent notification from the basic level. The aim of this study is to examine and check up the effectiveness of combined vaccines in our country, through the evaluation of the data from national epidemiologic surveillance verifying the distributions in time and space of these diseases in relation to the history of vaccination policies in Albania.

Primary Research of Immunological Mechanism of Combined Hepatitis A-Measles-Varicella Vaccine

To explore the primary humoral and cellular immunological mechanism of the combined hepatitis A-measles-varicella vaccine, the mice were inoculated with hepatitis A-measles-varicella vaccine by intraperitoneally and two weeks later, blood was collected to observe the mice＇s immunological status. Antibody level was measured to appraise the humoral immunity. At the same time, T lymphocyte surface marker, NK cell activity, LAK cell activity, delayed type hypersensitivity of skin, Mφ phagocytic function, mRNA level of cytokine IL-2 and IFN-γ plus lymphocyte transformation test were used to analyze the cellular immunity. The humoral immunity results show that the combined hepatitis A-measles-varicella vaccine produce the same antibody level as their corresponding univalent vaccine, and maintained fine immunogenicity and security. The result of cellular immunity shows that the combined vaccine could activate physical immunocyte, increase the regulative ability of cytokine, enhance the physical immune function and immune defense ability. The present research proved the security and better humoral and cellular immunity of combined hepatitis A-measles-varicella vaccine from the immunological point of view, which laid good foundation for further study and development.

Promoting higher-valent pediatric combination vaccines in China: challenges and recommendations for action

Many countries have adopted higher-valent pediatric combination vaccines to simplify vaccination schedules and minimize health expenditures and social costs.However,China is conservative in the use of pediatric combina-tion vaccines.By reviewing and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data,in this commentary we identify gaps and challenges to combination vaccine use and make recommendations for promoting use of higher-valent pediatric combination vaccines in China.Challenges are in four dimensions:(1)legislation and regulation,(2)immunization schedule design,(3)vaccine awareness and price,and(4)research and development capacity.To optimize the use of combination vaccines to reduce vaccine-preventable disease burden,we make recommendations that address key challenges:(1)develop policies and regulations to strengthen enforcement of the Vaccine Administration Law and remove regulatory hurdles that hinder combination vaccine research and development,(2)establish an evi-dence-informed policy-making mechanism for combination vaccines,(3)resolve immunization schedule conflicts between monovalent and combination vaccines,and(4)implement effective interventions to increase vaccine awareness and reduce price.

Risk factors for pertussis among children hospitalized for pertussis during 2016-2017, in Guizhou Province of China: a case-control study

Aim:Pertussis is a respiratory tract infection,the vaccine for which was introduced in the Expanded Programme on Immunization(EPI)in Guizhou Province of China(hereafter referred as Guizhou)in the 1980s.This vaccine rapidly decreased incidence rates of pertussis in the province,however,despite the wide high coverage of the diphtheria,tetanus and acellular pertussis(DTaP)combined vaccine,there has been a resurgence of pertussis since 2014.Even with this recent increase in disease transmission,risk factors for pertussis infection have not been evaluated in Guizhou.We aimed to provide information on pertussis risk factors and insight on designing targeted pertussis control policies and measures through this study.Methods:A 1:2 matched retrospective case-control study was conducted between 2016 and 2017,involving infants and children younger than 6 years old and parents of the participants.The enrolled cases included clinical and laboratory confirmed pertussis cases according to the WHO-recommended pertussis definition.Controls were selected from children in the same neighborhood who were not diagnosed with pertussis prior to our investigation and did not exhibit any clinical manifestations of pertussis.Results:The household size[Matched odds ratio(OR_(m)=1.4,95%confidence interval(Cl):1.1-1.7]and household members with antecedent cough(OR_(m)=3.6,95%CI:1.8-7.2)were significantly associated with their child’s pertussis onset.The parents’occupations were significantly associated with their child’s pertussis onset(ORm=9.4,95%CI:1.6-54.8,for mother side;ORm=4.5,95%CI:1.2-16.5,for father side),when they worked in the business and/or service industry.Having family members with a history of cough was an independent risk factor for pertussis[Adjusted odds ratio(AOR)=43.6,95%CI:2.7-694.0].Besides,the parents’demographic characteristics and DTaP doses were not found to be independent factors.Conclusion:Household exposure is an important risk factor for pertussis infection in infants and young children and should therefore be considered as a major factor during formulation of pertussis control policies and measures.