Immunization
COVID-19 Vaccination and Racial/Ethnic Inequities in Mortality at Midlife in Minnesota
Recent research underscores the exceptionally young age distribution of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. compared with that of international peers. This paper characterizes how high levels of COVID-19 mortality at midlife ages (45–64 years) are deeply intertwined with continuing racial inequity in COVID-19 mortality.A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Association Between SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Myocarditis or Pericarditis
There have been reports of potential negative cardiovascular effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, such as myocarditis or pericarditis. This study sought to ascertain the risk of myocarditis/pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination by conducting an extensive meta-analysis of published cases.COVID-19 Booster Vaccination in the U.S. Military, August 2021–January 2022
A booster dose of messenger RNA vaccine protects against severe COVID-19 outcomes. This study examined the incidence of COVID-19 booster vaccination among active-duty U.S. military servicemembers between August 2021 and January 2022, factors associated with vaccination uptake, and trends over time.Intranasal SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Indispensable and Inevitable
Their extraordinary efficacy notwithstanding, the parenterally administered mRNA vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have proven incapable of preventing breakthrough infections in otherwise fully vaccinated subjects.1 Interpersonal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through respiratory droplets and aerosols by fully vaccinated subjects has also proven resistant to vaccine-induced immunity.1 These relative shortcomings of the parenterally administered mRNA vaccines are hardly unanticipated because upper airway protection against SARS-CoV-2 replication and shedding requires local mucosal rather than systemic humoral immunity.Impact of a Virtual Reality Curriculum on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: A Pilot Trial
Although the strongest predictor of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a high-quality recommendation, physicians often provide weak recommendations. Thus, the authors developed Virtual Immersive Communication Training on Recommending Immunizations (VICTORI), a virtual reality (VR)‒based intervention that provided physicians the opportunity to deliberately practice recommendation behaviors. VICTORI included VR simulations during which participants counseled caregiver avatars hesitant to vaccinate.Vaccination Coverage of Privately Insured Children: Comparing U.S. Survey and Administrative Data
National Immunization Survey-Child data are used widely to assess childhood vaccination coverage in the U.S. This study compares National Immunization Survey-Child coverage estimates with estimates using other supplementary data sources.The Association Between Previous Influenza Vaccination and COVID-19 Infection Risk and Severity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
The association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether influenza vaccination reduces the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.COVID-19 Vaccination: Concerning Trends in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas
Widespread vaccination is the most promising way to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Unfortunately, U.S. vaccination rates have stagnated. The rates are particularly low among racial/ethnic minority groups1 and rural residents.2 Although much of the discussion about low vaccination centers on person-level factors, the role of healthcare system factors is not well understood. An important system factor is the availability of primary care physicians, who play an integral role in counseling patients regarding the risks and benefits of vaccination.High-Grade Vulvar, Vaginal, and Anal Precancers Among U.S. Adolescents and Young Adults After Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Introduction
Since human papillomavirus vaccine introduction, incidence rates of cervical precancers have decreased; however, the vaccine's impact on noncervical anogenital precancers has not been shown. These precancers are identified opportunistically and are not collected routinely by most cancer registries.Racial/Ethnic Variation in Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake
Equitable COVID-19 vaccine access is imperative to mitigating negative COVID-19 impacts among racial/ethnic minorities. U.S. racial/ethnic minorities have lower COVID-19 vaccination rates than Whites despite higher COVID-19 death/case rates. The Veterans Health Administration provides the unique context of a managed care system with few access barriers. This study evaluates race/ethnicity as a predictor of Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 vaccination.Demographic Benchmarks for Equitable Coverage of COVID-19 Vaccination
After a year of unprecedented social distancing and >530,000 American deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 3 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are authorized for emergency use. Federal and state authorities based vaccination priorities on employment in high-exposure occupations essential to everyday life and on vulnerability to severe COVID-19 disease.1 By virtue of employment in high-exposure occupations2 and experience of severe COVID-19 disease and death,3 people of color—especially Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans—are expected to be prioritized for early vaccination.Primary Immunization Series Coverage of Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Children with sickle cell disease are at increased risk of serious infections, many of which can be prevented by receipt of recommended immunizations. Study objectives were to (1) assess the primary immunization series coverage among children with sickle cell disease and (2) compare the coverage with that of those without sickle cell disease.Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine Policies and Recommendations at U.S. Colleges and Universities
Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) disease is a rare but serious illness that can result in permanent disability and death. In the U.S., where approximately 50–60 cases and 5–10 deaths among adolescents and young adults are reported annually, 2 MenB vaccines are approved for people aged 10–25 years and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for select populations at high risk due to immune deficiencies, potential occupational exposure, or an ongoing outbreak.Maternal Immunization in the U.S.: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study
At present, pregnant women in the U.S. are recommended to receive tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) and influenza vaccines. This study assessed maternal coverage of these 2 vaccinations.Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Interventions in the U.S.: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Despite current recommendations, human papillomavirus vaccine uptake remains low. A systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of interventions targeting human papillomavirus vaccine initiation and completion among children, adolescents, and young adults aged 9–26 years.Immunization Coverage of Children in Care of the Child Welfare System in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
Children in care of the child welfare system tend to underutilize preventive health services compared with other children. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess current knowledge regarding immunization coverage levels for children in the child welfare system and to determine barriers and supports to them utilizing immunization services.The Cost of Interventions to Increase Influenza Vaccination: A Systematic Review
Influenza vaccination rates remain below Healthy People 2020 goals. This project sought to systematically review economic evaluations of healthcare-based quality improvement interventions for improving influenza vaccination uptake among general populations and healthcare workers.Tdap Vaccination Among Healthcare Personnel—21 States, 2013
Outbreaks of pertussis can occur in healthcare settings. Vaccinating healthcare personnel may be helpful in protecting healthcare personnel from pertussis and potentially limiting spread to others in healthcare settings.Potential Consequences of Not Using Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine
Decreased live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) effectiveness in the U.S. prompted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in August 2016 to recommend against this vaccine’s use. However, overall influenza uptake increases when LAIV is available and, unlike the U.S., LAIV has retained its effectiveness in other countries. These opposing countercurrents create a dilemma.Vaccine Education of Medical Students: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Survey
Physicians play a primary role in vaccination of the population. Strong initial training of medical students is therefore essential to enable them to fulfill this role. This cross-sectional nationwide online survey conducted between September 2015 and January 2016 obtained 2,118 completed surveys from 6,690 eligible respondents (response rate, 32%) at 27 of 32 medical schools in France regarding their education about vaccination. The data were analyzed in April–June 2016. The survey covered their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions, and assessed their level of perceived preparedness for their future practice as interns.The National Adult Immunization Plan: Strengthening Adult Immunization Through Coordinated Action
Despite the widespread availability of safe and effective vaccines, adult vaccination rates remain low in the U.S. and far below Healthy People 2020 targets.1–3 Vaccine-preventable diseases exert a heavy toll on adults aged 18 years and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that among U.S. adults, each year there are roughly 40,000 cases and 4,000 deaths attributable to invasive pneumococcal disease,4 between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths due to seasonal influenza,5 9,000 reported cases of pertussis,6 approximately 3,000 reported cases of acute hepatitis B,7 and about 1 million cases of herpes zoster.Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Sexual Disinhibition in Females: A Systematic Review
Some parents believe human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination increases the chance of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents. This review summarizes the evidence available on adolescent girls and women engaging in risky sexual activity following HPV vaccination.Increasing Coverage of Appropriate Vaccinations: A Community Guide Systematic Economic Review
Population-level coverage for immunization against many vaccine-preventable diseases remains below optimal rates in the U.S. The Community Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended several interventions to increase vaccination coverage based on systematic reviews of the evaluation literature. The present study provides the economic results from those reviews.Understanding Vaccine Refusal: Why We Need Social Media Now
The recent Disneyland measles outbreak brought national attention to a growing problem: vaccine refusal—herd immunity is no longer a reality in many communities. Only 70% of children aged 19–35 months are up-to-date on immunizations,1 and in some communities, more than a quarter of school-age children have exemptions on file ( www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/348-247-SY2014-15-ImmunizationMaps.pdf ). Although they vary across the ideological spectrum, vaccine refusers tend to be well educated, white, and more affluent than people who typically experience health disparities.Prospects for a Globally Effective HIV-1 Vaccine
A globally effective vaccine strategy must cope with the broad genetic diversity of HIV and contend with multiple transmission modalities. Understanding correlates of protection and the role of diversity in limiting protective vaccines with those correlates is key. RV144 was the first HIV-1 vaccine trial to demonstrate efficacy against HIV-1 infection. A correlates analysis comparing vaccine-induced immune responses in vaccinated-infected and vaccinated-uninfected volunteers suggested that IgG specific for the V1V2 region of gp120 was associated with reduced risk of HIV-1 infection and that plasma Env IgA was directly correlated with infection risk.
