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Knowledge of prevalence of illegal drug injection can aid the design and evaluation of services for problem drug users. In this study, prevalence of recent injectors in Spain was estimated with a multiplier method using the number of injectors in a population register of new HIV diagnoses, HIV incidence among injectors from cohort studies and HIV prevalence among injectors in a drug treatment register. Prevalence in 2008 was 38.8 (95% CI 23.8–53.8) per 100 000 population, a 2.8 times reduction compared with 2001. This method permits estimation of both prevalence and trends of drug injection. It is sustainable and routinely applicable in many countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the epidemiological impact of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine on age groups targeted by this vaccination programme in Spain, and estimates high short-term vaccine effectiveness values under field conditions in the 4 years following its introduction. Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine has led to a substantial reduction in incidence of meningococcal serogroup C disease in Spain among age groups targeted for intervention nationwide. Disease surveillance in the 4 years since the vaccine was introduced has enabled vaccine effectiveness (VE) to be estimated. The vaccine registered high short-term VE values but there has been some loss of VE with time. Four years after vaccination, vaccine protection levels exceeded 94% in cohorts immunised during the campaign. Among children vaccinated in routine childhood immunisation programmes, however, long-term VE loss was greater. Accordingly, there is a need for ongoing re-evaluation of VE and ascertainment of long-term vaccine protection. The findings reported would allow to decide on the advisability of revising current vaccination guidelines.