Article
Immunology
Clara Mazagatos, Concepcion Delgado-Sanz, Ana Milagro, Maria Liebana-Rodriguez, Amparo Larrauri
Summary: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for the elderly in most countries to prevent hospitalizations and deaths associated with seasonal influenza. Studies have shown the benefits of vaccination, preventing a significant number of cases and severe outcomes. This study estimated the burden of severe influenza disease in Spain and measured the impact of vaccination in the elderly. The findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the influenza vaccination program in preventing hospitalizations and ICU admissions in the elderly.
Article
Immunology
Dana M. Gates, Steven A. Cohen, Kelly Orr, Aisling R. Caffrey
Summary: The study evaluated trends in pharmacist-administered pediatric influenza vaccination rates in the United States, finding low utilization rates with regional variations. Improving accessibility to pediatric vaccination may increase overall vaccination rates.
Review
Pediatrics
Daniel A. Norman, Rosanne Barnes, Rebecca Pavlos, Mejbah Bhuiyan, Kefyalew Addis Alene, Margie Danchin, Holly Seale, Hannah C. Moore, Christopher C. Blyth
Summary: Interventions targeting influenza vaccine coverage in children with medical comorbidities, such as vaccination reminders and education, as well as clinic process changes, have been shown to significantly improve vaccine coverage. However, no significant differences were detected between intervention types, and bias and study heterogeneity limit confidence in the estimate of this effect. Further well-designed studies are needed to inform optimal interventions in the future.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Can Chen, Xiaoxiao Liu, Danying Yan, Yuqing Zhou, Cheng Ding, Lu Chen, Lei Lan, Chenyang Huang, Daixi Jiang, Xiaobao Zhang, Zhou Guan, Xiaofang Fu, Yuxia Du, Yushi Lin, Changtai Zhu, Jie Wu, Lanjuan Li, Shigui Yang
Summary: The global influenza vaccination rates are generally low, especially in the general population. High-income countries/regions have significantly higher vaccination rates compared to middle-income countries/regions. Factors such as free vaccination policies, perception of vaccine efficacy, healthcare workers' recommendations, and vaccination history positively influence vaccine uptake.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Min Joo Choi, Jae-Won Yun, Joon Young Song, Karam Ko, Joaquin F. Mould, Hee Jin Cheong
Summary: This study compares three different influenza vaccination strategies for the elderly population aged 65 years and older in South Korea. The results indicate that the adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine (aQIV) is more effective in reducing the burden of influenza-associated disease compared to the standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) and high-dose QIV (HD-QIV). The switch from QIV to aQIV is predicted to significantly reduce the number of influenza cases, complications, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Manjiri Pawaskar, Estelle Meroc, Salome Samant, Elmira Flem, Goran Bencina, Margarita Riera-Montes, Ulrich Heininger
Summary: This study estimated the economic burden of varicella in Europe in the absence of Universal Varicella Vaccination (UVV), showing an overall annual total cost of 662,592,061 euros. Almost half of the costs were attributed to cases in children under 5 years, and France and Germany accounted for 49.28% of total annual costs.
Article
Pediatrics
Hakon Boas, Terese Bekkevold, Lise Beier Havdal, Anne-Marte Bakken Kran, Astrid Elisabeth Rojahn, Ketil Stordal, Sara Debes, Henrik Dollner, Svein Arne Nordbo, Bjorn Barstad, Elisebet Haarr, Liliana Vazquez Fernandez, Britt Nakstad, Truls Michael Leegaard, Olav Hungnes, Elmira Flem
Summary: Norwegian health authorities do not recommend universal pediatric vaccination against seasonal influenza. However, age and underlying medical conditions increase the incidence of influenza in hospitalized children.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Mohammed H. Alharbi, Christopher M. Kribs
Summary: As countries prepared for the second wave of COVID-19, demand for influenza vaccine rose. High coverage of the vaccine can reduce the burden of influenza. However, the effect of the influenza vaccine on the combined disease burden of influenza and COVID-19 depends on virus interference factors and the proportion of the population vaccinated.
JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kylie E. C. Ainslie, Steven Riley
Summary: This study examined the impact of annual and biennial vaccination strategies on the attack rate and expected number of infections in children. The results showed that annual vaccination resulted in fewer childhood infections compared to biennial vaccination, although the difference was small. The study confirmed the value of annual vaccination in children and suggested that similar benefits could be obtained from a biennial vaccination program.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fangjun Zhou, Megan C. Lindley, James T. T. Lee, Tara C. Jatlaoui
Summary: A retrospective analysis showed a positive and significant association between influenza vaccination during pregnancy and infant influenza vaccination. Infants born to vaccinated mothers had higher vaccination coverage compared to infants born to non-vaccinated mothers. Increasing influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant individuals may also increase infant vaccination coverage.
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rhiannon R. Penkert, Nehali Patel, Richard J. Webby, Ted M. Ross, Julia L. Hurwitz
Summary: Research has shown that the timing of vaccination significantly impacts the immune response to influenza vaccines, as changes in host lifestyles and viral infection frequencies throughout different seasons can alter vaccine immunogenicity. Therefore, routine assessment of inoculation month in clinical studies is recommended to inform data interpretation and expedite successful vaccine development within and beyond the field of influenza virus.
Article
Immunology
Weijia Xiong, Tim K. Tsang, Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera, Nancy H. L. Leung, Vicky J. Fang, Ian G. Barr, J. S. Malik Peiris, Benjamin J. Cowling
Summary: We explored the biphasic pattern of antibody titers waning after influenza vaccination in children. Using blood samples, we found evidence for a faster waning in the first 1-2 years, followed by a slower decline in the longer term. Children with higher postvaccination titers showed faster antibody decay.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Wakaba Fukushima, Saeko Morikawa, Masashi Fujioka, Tohru Matsushita, Megumi Kubota, Yoshina Yagi, Yoshio Takasaki, Shizuo Shindo, Yuji Yamashita, Takato Yokoyama, Yumi Kiyomatsu, Satoshi Hiroi, Keiko Nakata, Akiko Maeda, Kyoko Kondo, Kazuya Ito, Tetsuo Kase, Satoko Ohfuji, Yoshio Hirota
Summary: This study evaluated the association between current-season vaccine effectiveness and prior season vaccination in children aged 1-5 years. The results showed that prior vaccination did not attenuate the effectiveness of the current-season vaccine, supporting the use of annual vaccination strategy in this age group.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Andrew M. Parker, Samer Atshan, Matthew M. Walsh, Courtney A. Gidengil, Raffaele Vardavas
Summary: This survey study examines the differences in COVID-19 vaccination based on previous influenza vaccination patterns and investigates whether influenza vaccination changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Review
Immunology
Nicki L. Boddington, Isabelle Pearson, Heather Whitaker, Punam Mangtani, Richard G. Pebody
Summary: This systematic review found that the effectiveness of influenza vaccine against hospitalization in children varies by influenza subtype and vaccine type, with an overall seasonal IVE of 53.3%. IVE was highest against influenza A/H1N1pdm09 and lowest against influenza A/H3N2.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Andrew N. Menzies-Gow, Claire McBrien, Bindhu Unni, Celeste M. Porsbjerg, Mona Al-Ahmad, Christopher S. Ambrose, Karin Dahl Assing, Anna von Bulow, John Busby, Borja G. Cosio, J. Mark FitzGerald, Esther Garcia Gil, Susanne Hansen, Liam G. aHeaney, Mark Hew, David J. Jackson, Maria Kallieri, Stelios Loukides, Njira L. Lugogo, Andriana Papaioannou, Desiree Larenas-Linnemann, Wendy C. Moore, Luis A. Perez-de-Llano, Linda M. Rasmussen, Johannes M. Schmid, Salman Siddiqui, Marianna Alacqua, Trung N. Tran, Charlotte Suppli Ulrik, John W. Upham, Elleen Wang, Lakmini Bulathsinhala, Victoria A. Carter, Isha Chaudhry, Neva Eleangovan, Ruth B. Murray, Chris A. Price, David B. Price
Summary: This study described real-life patterns of biologic use for severe asthma in multiple countries, showing that most patients continued their initial biologic treatment, while some stopped or switched to a different biologic. Patients who stopped or switched were more likely to have higher baseline blood eosinophil count, higher exacerbation rate, lower lung function, and greater healthcare resource utilization.
JOURNAL OF ASTHMA AND ALLERGY
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Natalie Mazur, Jonne Terstappen, Ranju Baral, Azucena Bardaji, Philippe Beutels, Ursula J. Buchholz, Cheryl Cohen, James E. Crowe, Clare L. Cutland, Linda Eckert, Daniel Feikin, Tiffany Fitzpatrick, Youyi Fong, Barney S. Graham, Terho Heikkinen, Deborah Higgins, Siddhivinayak Hirve, Keith P. Klugman, Leyla Kragten-Tabatabaie, Philippe Lemey, Romina Libster, Yvette Lowensteyn, Asuncion Mejias, Flor M. Munoz, Patrick K. Munywoki, Lawrence Mwananyanda, Harish Nair, Marta C. Nunes, Octavio Ramilo, Peter Richmond, Tracy J. Ruckwardt, Charles Sande, Padmini Srikantiah, Naveen Thacker, Kody A. Waldstein, Dan Weinberger, Joanne Wildenbeest, Dexter Wiseman, Heather J. Zar, Maria Zambon, Louis Bont
Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of infant mortality and morbidity in older adults. Efforts are being made to develop RSV vaccines and immunoprophylaxis using various approaches, with 33 candidates currently in clinical development. Understanding antibody targets has led to more rational and structure-based vaccine design. An extended half-life monoclonal antibody for infants is expected to receive regulatory approval within a year. Other approaches include live-attenuated vaccines for older infants, subunit vaccines for pregnant women, and vector and nucleic acid vaccines for older adults. Ensuring access and affordability of RSV vaccines globally is a priority.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Wendy C. Moore, Dennis K. Ledford, Donna D. Carstens, Christopher S. Ambrose
Summary: Following COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders and social distancing recommendations, there was a significant reduction in exacerbations, exacerbation-related emergency department visits, and asthma hospitalizations among subspecialist-treated patients with severe asthma. This reduction is likely due to multiple factors, including reduced viral infections resulting from decreased social contact and changes in patient behavior.
JOURNAL OF ASTHMA AND ALLERGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Janna-Maija Mattila, Tytti Vuorinen, Terho Heikkinen
Summary: The demographics and management of children hospitalized with influenza at Turku University Hospital in Finland changed over a 25-year period. The proportion of children aged <2 years decreased while children aged 6-15 years increased. Hospitalization rates decreased for children aged 1 year and increased for children aged 6-15 years. The duration of hospitalization also shortened.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Abraham M. Getaneh, Xiao Li, Zhuxin Mao, Caroline K. Johannesen, Elisa Barbieri, Jojanneke van Summeren, Xin Wang, Sabine Tong, Eugenio Baraldi, Emily Phijffer, Caterina Rizzo, Maarten van Wijhe, Terho Heikkinen, Louis Bont, Lander Willem, Mark Jit, Philippe Beutels, Joke Bilcke
Summary: This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of potential mAb and MI interventions against RSV in infants in six European countries. The results show that the choice between MI or mAb depends on factors such as protection level, price, and feasibility for different countries and scenarios.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Joanne G. Wildenbeest, Marie-Noelle Biard, Roy Zuurbier, Koos Korsten, Annefleur C. Langedijk, Peter M. van de Ven, Matthew Snape, Simon B. Drysdale, Andrew J. Pollard, Hannah Robinson, Terho Heikkinen, Steve Cunningham, Thomas O'Neill, Bishoy Rizkalla, Ana Dacosta-Urbieta, Federico Martinon-Torres, Marlies A. van Houten, Louis J. Bont
Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalisation in infants. The burden of RSV infection in healthy term infants has been determined in a multicentre, prospective, observational study. The study found that RSV-associated acute respiratory infection causes substantial morbidity, leading to hospitalisation of one in every 56 healthy term-born infants in high-income settings. Immunisation of pregnant women or healthy term-born infants during their first winter season could have a major effect on the health-care burden caused by RSV infections. Rating: 9/10
LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Stephanie Korn, Bill Cook, Lisa J. Simpson, Jean-Pierre Llanos, Christopher S. Ambrose
Summary: RCTs have shown differential results of biologics in severe, uncontrolled asthma patients based on baseline blood eosinophil count (BEC). We summarized the effects of biologics on annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) in placebo-controlled RCTs by baseline BEC, as well as other outcomes. The efficacy of biologics in reducing AAER in severe asthma patients increases with higher baseline BEC, with variations among different biologics due to differing mechanisms of action.
ADVANCES IN THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Jonathan Corren, Andrew Menzies-Gow, Geoffrey Chupp, Elliot Israel, Stephanie Korn, Bill Cook, Christopher S. Ambrose, Asa Hellqvist, Stephanie L. Roseti, Nestor A. Molfino, Jean-Pierre Llanos, Neil Martin, Karin Bowen, Janet M. Griffiths, Jane R. Parnes, Gene Colice
Summary: In two clinical trials, it was found that Tezepelumab significantly reduced the risk of exacerbations and improved other outcomes in patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma, regardless of baseline blood eosinophil counts, fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels, or allergy status.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Critical Care Medicine
Christopher S. Ambrose, Elliot Israel, Karin Bowen, Jean-Pierre Llanos, Neil Martin, Bill Cook, Asa Hellqvist, Stephanie Korn, Andrew Menzies-Gow, Stephanie L. Roseti, Nestor A. Molfino, Janet M. Griffiths, Jane R. Parnes
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Bradley E. Chipps, Weily Soong, Reynold A. Panettieri Jr, Warner Carr, Hitesh Gandhi, Wenjiong Zhou, Bill Cook, Jean-Pierre Llanos, Christopher S. Ambrose
Summary: The number of asthma triggers is positively associated with disease burden in patients with severe asthma in the United States, affecting disease control, quality of life, and work productivity.
ANNALS OF ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Marco Del Riccio, Peter Spreeuwenberg, Richard Osei-Yeboah, Caroline K. Johannesen, Liliana Vazquez Fernandez, Anne C. Teirlinck, Xin Wang, Terho Heikkinen, Mathieu Bangert, Saverio Caini, Harry Campbell, John Paget
Summary: This study estimated that an average of 245,244 children aged under 5 years are hospitalized annually due to RSV in the EU, with the highest hospitalization rates in children aged less than 2 months (71.6 per 1000 children).
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Deidre Wilkins, Annefleur C. Langedijk, Robert Jan Lebbink, Christopher Morehouse, Michael E. Abram, Bahar Ahani, Anastasia A. Aksyuk, Eugenio Baraldi, Tyler Brady, Albert Tian Chen, Hsin Chi, Eun Hwa Choi, Robert Cohen, Daria M. Danilenko, Vancheswaran Gopalakrishnan, Anne Greenough, Terho Heikkinen, Mitsuaki Hosoya, Christian Keller, Elizabeth J. Kelly, Leyla Kragten-Tabatabaie, Federico Martinon-Torres, Abiel Homero Mascarenas de los Santos, Marta C. Nunes, Maria Angelica Palomino, Jesse Papenburg, Jeffrey M. Pernica, Peter Richmond, Renato Stein, Kevin M. Tuffy, Charl Verwey, Mark T. Esser, David E. Tabor, Louis J. Bont, INFORM RSV Study Grp
Summary: This study evaluated the geotemporal distribution of RSV A and RSV B between 2015 and 2021 and functionally characterized the nirsevimab binding-site substitutions during this period. The results showed that the nirsevimab binding site remained highly conserved, with only a few rare mutations affecting nirsevimab neutralization emerging between 2016 and 2021. The genetic diversity of RSV fusion protein was lower compared to influenza hemagglutinin and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zhuxin Mao, Xiao Li, Ana Dacosta-Urbieta, Marie-Noelle Billard, Joanne Wildenbeest, Koos Korsten, Federico Martinon-Torres, Terho Heikkinen, Steve Cunningham, Matthew D. Snape, Hannah Robinson, Andrew J. Pollard, Maarten Postma, Benoit Dervaux, Niel Hens, Louis Bont, Joke Bilcke, Philippe Beutels
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the costs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) effects associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants and their caregivers. The results showed that RSV infection resulted in significant cost burden and loss of HRQoL.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jonathan A. Bernstein, Jean-Pierre Llanos, Gillian Hunter, Neil Martin, Christopher S. Ambrose
Summary: This study describes the reduction of annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with allergic severe asthma. The study found that the efficacy of biologics varied considerably overall and by baseline blood eosinophil count (BEC), with tezepelumab consistently demonstrating the greatest reduction in AAER across all subgroups.
ADVANCES IN THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Allergy
Joseph Spahn, Christopher E. Brightling, Paul M. O'Byrne, Lisa J. Simpson, Nestor A. Molfino, Christopher S. Ambrose, Neil Martin, Teal S. Hallstrand
Summary: This study was funded by AstraZeneca and Amgen Inc.
JOURNAL OF ASTHMA AND ALLERGY
(2023)