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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system of unclear aetiology which involves genetic and environmental factors, including infections. Infections in MS patients increase the risk of exacerbation of the disease. It has been shown that preventing infections reduces the risk of MS relapse and quality of life outcome. Over the past 20 years, the number of drugs available for disease modifying therapy (DMT) in MS patients has grown significantly. Some of the DMT may entail an increased risk of infections, including life-threatening ones such as measles... etc. These infections include measles, infections caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), pneumococci and, recently, serious acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, at the time of MS diagnosis, the patient should be interviewed and screened for prior vaccination and/or serological status prior to starting DMT so that any missing vaccinations can be performed. Most infections can be effectively and safely prevented. Vaccinations should be integral part of the treatment process. They not only prevent life-threatening diseases but also increase the safety of drugs used to change the course of the underlying disease. Some specific recommenadation regarding the use of vaccinations in MS patients treated with DMT are included in summary of product characteristic for particular drugs. Additionally, scientific boards publish guidelines on recommended vaccinations due to changing epidemiological situations with special emphasis on immunocompromised patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022, the National Program for Influenza Prevention coalition will have its 10th anniversary; it is one of Poland's oldest educational initiatives. The National Program for Influenza Prevention was initiated to prevent a further decline and promote influenza prevention in the A(H1N1) post-pandemic years. In this review, we summarize the structure and operational model of the coalition and identify core functional elements that make it a key non-governmental organization involved in the prophylactics of communicable diseases. The coalition-based organization can operate in a complex environment, such as vaccinations requiring scientific, economic, social, and psychological involvement, and communications with different groups. Anchored to the history of the National Program for Influenza Prevention, we review Poland's vaccination landscape changes from the last ten years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Influenza constitutes a significant health care burden that can be related to an increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study is to show up-to-date information on influenza hospitalization cases in Poland in children aged <5 years. Methods: The data used in the study were hospitalization records from 2015–2019, which had been gathered in a Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study and made available by the National Institute of Public Health. Results: 8565 records of patients with influenza were subject to analysis. The mean and median age of the patients were 2.2 and 2.1 years, respectively. Influenza hospitalization incidence was estimated at 90 per 100,000 person-years (PY) in children aged <5 years. The number of hospitalization cases was significantly higher in patients living in urban regions than in those living in rural regions (97 vs. 77 per 100,000 PY; p < 0.001). The age of patients living in urban regions was significantly lower than the age of patients living in rural regions (2.2 vs. 2.3 years; p < 0.001). A statistically significant increase in hospitalization was observed. Conclusions: The reported increasing trend in hospitalizations indicates the need to take focused measures. Presented data may be useful in comparative analyses in a European context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Vaccination is the most effective method of controlling influenza in the human population, where pregnant women belong to a risk group that is especially vulnerable to influenza-related morbidity and mortality. The objectives of the survey were to report estimates of maternal vaccination coverage and assess reasons for the lack of influenza vaccination among Polish women of childbearing age. Material and methods: The survey analysis included 564 pregnant women who had been surveyed in a self-reported questionnaire during the 2017-2018 influenza season in Warsaw, Poland. Results: Over 95% of Polish women of childbearing age did not vaccinate against influenza due to the low perception of risk and a lack of providing evidence-based information on vaccine by physicians and midwives. General practitioners were most often indicated as healthcare workers who educated women about influenza risk factors and recommended influenza vaccine to them. Conclusions: The results of the survey suggest that women of childbearing age did not vaccinate against influenza due to the low perception of risk and a lack of providing evidence-based information by healthcare workers (including obstetrician-gynaecologists and midwives), while their recommendations appear to be a powerful method of overcoming barriers to influenza vaccination among patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant women are at risk of severe and complicated influenza, and so are children aged 2-5 years. Despite numerous recommendations, influenza vaccination coverage in pregnant women is still low. The trigger for this article was the development of new quadrivalent influenza vaccines along with the publication of new studies on the safety and effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccines in pregnant women, administered also in the first trimester of pregnancy. The inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine is a safe and effective measure for preventing influenza in both mother and child. Live attenuated influenza vaccines are contraindicated in pregnant women, whereas inactivated influenza vaccines should be recommended to all pregnant women, either healthy or with comorbidities. Influenza vaccines can be administered during any pregnancy trimester, at least two weeks before delivery. The time of vaccination depends on vaccine availability; however, it should not be postponed unless there are significant medical contraindications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Epidemiological Review / Przegląd Epidemiologiczny is the property of National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Influenza is an acute infectious disease of viral etiology which, unlike the common cold, can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, myocarditis, inflammation of the kidneys, nervous system, and muscles, and even death. Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing influenza and should be recommended to everyone over six months of age, with particular emphasis on risk groups. When the symptoms of influenza occur, the only drugs recommended for curative treatment are neuraminidase inhibitors (of which only oseltamivir is available in Poland). Influenza diagnosis of should be made during the epidemic season based on clinical signs. Only curative treatment should be employed in risk groups. Treatment should not be delayed in order to wait for the results of tests confirming infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent selected infectious diseases. Is there a time and place for vaccinations in palliative medicine? The answer to this question is definitely positive. Vaccinations should be carried out on medical personnel and persons forming close contact with patients, and everybody who takes care of the patients, thus ensuring protection against illnesses and their complications in vaccinated people but also minimising the risk of transmission of infection in the patient's environment (the so-called cocoon strategy of vaccination that mainly involves vaccination against influenza and pertussis). The vaccination schedule for palliative care patients should be based on the patient's health condition; the most important seems to be influenza vaccination, which is safe and effective also in palliative care patients. Vaccination for influenza in patients requiring palliative care is effective and safe (use of an inactivated vaccine is recommended; use of vaccine containing live attenuated influenza viruses is contraindicated). Obligatory vaccinations in accordance with the national immunisation schedule program and recommended vaccinations (e.g. against influenza) must be carried out for children who are in close contact with patients. Adults caring for patients should be vaccinated against hepatitis B. Medical staff caring for patients should be vaccinated against hepatitis B (three doses, 0-1-6-month schedule), influenza (one dose every season), and pertussis (one dose every 10 years). Vaccination of personnel is advisable for ethical, epidemiological, and organisational reasons (providing reduction of sickness absence days, lower transmission of influenza viruses in the population, and better health of family contacts of patients). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral infections of the respiratory tract are the most common infectious diseases diagnosed and reported in Poland and an important cause of outpatient counseling as well as hospitalization. Many of these infections are caused by the influenza virus and RSV. The etiology of the disease cannot be determined based on clinical symptoms and is only possible with additional diagnostics. The diagnosis of the disease may be proven after conducting: rapid diagnostic tests based on the immunochromatographic or immunoenzymatic methods (characterized by moderate sensitivity, but are easy to perform and provide a result within 15 minutes after material collection); classical methods of molecular biology - real time RT-PCR (sensitive, but requiring specialized equipment; they provide a result within 4-5 hours after material collection); and fast molecular diagnostics - POC-real time PCR (sensitive, easy to perform and provides a result within 20-30 minutes of material collection). The use of rapid molecular diagnostic methods of infections caused by respiratory viruses (influenza and RSV) is simple and quick, as well as provides the opportunity to initiate proper and effective treatment of patients, their isolation and/or cohortation (allowing to reduce transmission of disease in the population). It also has a favorable economic dimension (reduced number of additional tests commissioned, reduction of antibiotic use, shortening the time of stay in the emergency room or hospital emergency department). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several national and international recommendations have been published, influenza vaccinations are carried out too rarely and thus vaccine coverage rates, both in the general population and in risk groups, remain at an unsatisfactorily low level. The paper presents the current data describing influenza vaccine coverage rates in different countries, in the general population and risk groups (including patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women, children the elderly) and health care workers. It is emphasized that there are many limitations related to the estimation of coverage rates. Methods that are currently used for the assessment of influenza vaccination coverage rates include the following: an analysis of data from health care facilities or providers, from national health insurance records, from well-documented national or private vaccine programs targeting at specific smaller groups, evaluation of national vaccine register, and national surveys of individuals. The establishment of coverage rates among specific groups usually requires another approach with the use of individual web - or telephone - based surveys, which is why selection bias and recall bias should be taken into consideration while discussing the results. The most common drivers and barriers for influenza vaccination are also identified and presented in the review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Journal of Sports Medicine / Medycyna Sportowa is the property of Agencja Wydawnicza Medsportpress Sp. z o. o. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness that causes high morbidity and significant mortality in humans. Costs associated with influenza in terms of human suffering are immeasurable and the economic costs are very high. Every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5-25% of the global population suffers from infection with influenza and influenza-like viruses and between 500 thousand and one million individuals of all ages die from multiple organ complications, irrespective of the geographic location. Influenza vaccination is still neglected and the percentage of the global population vaccinated remains low. The first authorization for the use of influenza vaccines in humans was issued in 1941. Currently, many varieties of influenza vaccine are available, containing either fragments of inactivated influenza virus or live vaccine which consists of attenuated virus. The influenza vaccine is most often developed in chick embryos or less frequently in tissue culture such as MDCK and Vero. A variety of inactivated vaccines are registered in Poland. Due to the mutability of the virus, it is not yet possible to develop a universal vaccine, nor can the disease be eradicated; however, prevention is possible by inoculating the greatest percentage of the global population. According to the WHO, Poland is in the penultimate position in Europe in terms of the percentage of the population vaccinated. In the last epidemic season of 2012/2013 only 3.75% of the Polish population was immunized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The influenza burden among children is underestimated. The aim of our study was to estimate the accuracy of the rapid influenza detection test (RIDT) BD Directigen™ EZ Flu A+B® and direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) used among children with influenza-like illness (ILI) consulted in the ambulatory care clinic. Material/Methods: A total of 150 patients were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were: age less than 59 months, presentation of ILI according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) definition (fever >37.8°C, cough and/or sore throat in the absence of another known cause of illness), duration of symptoms shorter than 96 hours. Two nasal swabs and one pharyngeal swab were obtained from patients and tested by RIDT, DFA and real time RT-PCR as the reference method. Results: For influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus sensitivity of RIDT was 62.2% (95% CI 46.5-76.2%), specificity 97.1% (95% CI 91.8-99.4%), PPV 90.3% (95% CI 74.3-98%), NPV 85.7% (95% CI 78.1-91.5%), for DFA sensitivity was 60% (95% CI 51.9-63.2%), specificity 96% (95% CI 88.7-98.8%), PPV 93.1% (95% CI 80.5-98%), NPV 72.7% (95% CI 67.2-74.9%). Analysis of logistic regression revealed that the chance of receiving a true positive result of RIDT was twice as high when the test was conducted during the first 48 hours of symptoms (OR 0.40 vs OR 0.22). Conclusions: The accuracy of RIDT is comparable with DFA and both methods are very specific but moderately sensitive in diagnosis of influenza in young children. Both methods may be recommended for screening for influenza among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Most European HCWs feel engaged with influenza vaccination. • Most European HCWs feel confident with advocating vaccination. • HCWs' engagement with influenza vaccination increases with age. • HCWs' hesitant sentiments towards vaccination result in lower rates of uptake. • Diffident sentiments for advocacy make HCWs less likely to recommend vaccination. Abstract Background Annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent and control the health and economic burden caused by seasonal influenza. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a crucial role in vaccine acceptance and advocacy for their patients. This study explored the drivers of HCWs' vaccine acceptance and advocacy in six European countries. Methods Healthcare workers (mainly general practitioners, specialist physicians, and nurses) voluntarily completed a questionnaire in Bulgaria (N = 485), Czech Republic (N = 518), Kosovo (N = 466), Poland (N = 772), Romania (N = 155), and the United Kingdom (N = 80). Twelve-item scales were used to analyse sentiment clusters for influenza vaccination acceptance and engagement with vaccination advocacy. Past vaccination behaviour and patient recommendation were also evaluated. All data were included in a single analysis. Results For vaccination acceptance, the main cluster (engaged sentiment: 68%) showed strong positive attitudes for influenza vaccination. A second cluster (hesitant sentiment: 32%) showed more neutral attitudes. Cluster membership was predicted by country of origin and age. The odds ratio for past vaccination in the engaged cluster was 39.6 (95% CI 12.21–128.56) although this varied between countries. For vaccination advocacy, the main cluster (confident sentiment: 73%) showed strong positive attitudes towards advocacy; a second cluster (diffident sentiment: 27%) showed neutral attitudes. Cluster membership was predicted by country of origin, age and profession, with specialist physicians being the least likely to belong to the confident sentiment cluster. HCWs characterised by confident advocacy sentiments were also more likely recommend flu vaccination. Again, this association was moderated by country of origin. Conclusions These data show that there is room to improve both vaccination acceptance and advocacy rates in European HCWs, which would be expected to lead to higher rates of HCW vaccination. Benefits that could be expected from such an outcome are improved advocacy and better control of morbidity and mortality related to seasonal influenza infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]