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Volume 3, Number 2 |
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| Are we meeting targets for neonatal hepatitis B vaccination? |
Elizabeth Boxall PhD FRCPath Consultant Clinical Scientist, Health Protection Agency, West Midlands Public Health Laboratory, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham |
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) Conference in 2008 marked the tenth anniversary of Department of Health guidance that recommended:
• The offer of antenatal screening for hepatitis B to all pregnant women
• Vaccination with a four-dose schedule for the babies of those mothers found to be infected with hepatitis B. |
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| Case study: influenza immunisation for healthcare workers in East Cheshire |
Richard Preece MB ChB MBA FFOM MCIPD Consultant in Occupational Medicine, Cheshire Occupational Health Service, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
During the 2009–10 winter vaccination campaign, unprecedented rates of influenza immunisation for healthcare workers were achieved. Rates varied markedly between general hospital trusts and were 2–68% for swine influenza and 0–64.9% for seasonal influenza. |
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| Invasive pneumococcal disease: vaccine coverage |
Kordo Saeed MB ChB MSc FRCPath Consultant Microbiologist; Matthew Dryden MB BS MSc FRCPath MD Consultant Microbiologist; Catherine Paget BM FY2 Microbiology; Alistair Proud BM FY2 Microbiology, Department of Microbiology and Communicable Disease, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester |
Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the commonest cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and is a leading cause of bacteraemia and meningitis. Vaccination aims to reduce this burden. The pneumococcal vaccine, containing purified polysaccharide from 23 capsular types (PPV23), is recommended for the elderly, as it has been demonstrated to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease. |
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| The challenging effect of vaccine compensation on immunisation fears |
Michael Fitzpatrick MBBS GP, Barton House Group Practice, Hackney, London |
Schemes for compensating victims of vaccine damage may have the paradoxical effect of undermining public support for childhood immunisation. |
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| Vaccination and Immunisation National Support Team: improving uptake |
Marilena Korkodilos BSc MSc MBBS MRCPCH FFPH Head of the Infant Mortality and Vaccination and Immunisation National Support Teams; Marcia Perry MA BSc HDip (Health Visiting) RGN RSCN ENB A50 Deputy Head of the Infant Mortality and Vaccination and Immunisation National Support Teams, Department of Health, London |
Immunisation plays a critical role in preventing diseases that can kill or cause serious long-term ill health, and in helping people lead healthier lives. Childhood immunisation is included in tier 2 of the ‘Vital Signs’ national priorities for local implementation, and is an important part of the ‘Healthy Child’ programme. |
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| Working to improve uptake |
Peter M English, Editor |
In this edition of Vaccines in practice, we have several articles regarding the process of vaccination. How good are we at doing what we are trying to do? How can we improve the uptake of vaccination? What are the barriers to improving uptake, and how can they be overcome? |
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