Asplenic individuals are known to be at increased risk of infection with encapsulated bacteria. Recent United Kingdom recommendations stated that this at-risk group should receive one dose of the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccine. However, the immune response of asplenic individuals to MCC vaccine is unknown. The immune response of asplenics (n ‫؍‬ 130) to immunization with the MCC vaccine was investigated. Asplenic individuals had a significantly lower geometric mean titer (GMT) (157.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 94.5 to 263.3) of bactericidal antibody in serum (SBA) than an age-matched control group (n ‫؍‬ 48) (1448.2; 95% CI, 751.1 to 2792.0). However, 80% of asplenic individuals achieved the proposed protective SBA titer of >8. No differences were observed between the two groups in the serogroup C-specific immunoglobulin G geometric mean concentration. A significant reduction in SBA GMT or the number of responders achieving an SBA titer of >8 was observed if the reason for splenectomy was a medical cause or if MCC vaccination occurred <10 years after splenectomy. Individuals (n ‫؍‬ 29) who did not achieve an SBA titer of >16 were offered a second dose of MCC vaccine. Analysis of the SBA response revealed that 61% (14 of 23) of the individuals who received a second dose achieved a protective titer. In total, 93% of asplenic individuals achieved a titer of >8 following MCC vaccination (one or two doses combined). We recommend that, following vaccination of asplenics, either the level of functional antibody should be determined, with a second dose of MCC vaccine offered to nonresponders, or two doses of MCC vaccine should be routinely offered.Asplenic individuals are at an increased risk of infection from encapsulated bacteria, including Neisseria meningitidis (9, 15). Overwhelming postsplenectomy infection has a high mortality rate, between 40% and 70% (7). Immunization with the 23-valent pneumococcal plain polysaccharide and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate (29) vaccines is recommended for individuals with functional or anatomic asplenia. In 2001, the United Kingdom Department of Health extended this recommendation to include vaccination with meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccine, although no data on immune responses are available to date for MCC vaccines in this group (6).Various studies have provided conflicting evidence on the immune response to polysaccharide antigens in asplenic individuals (12, 21), and the limitations of plain polysaccharide vaccines are well documented (13,17,18,29). Meningococcal serogroup C plain polysaccharide vaccines are not immunogenic in those under the age of 2 years (13, 17), and repeated doses can lead to hyporesponsiveness (2,13,18,29). MCC vaccines that have been shown to be highly immunogenic and to generate immune memory in all age groups from infants to adults are now available (10, 25-29). MCC vaccines have been shown to be efficacious in all the age groups targeted during the vaccination campaign initiated in 1999 in the Uni...

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Background and ObjectiveContinued suboptimal measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine uptake has re-established measles epidemic risk, prompting a UK catch-up campaign in 2008–09 for children who missed MMR doses at scheduled age. Predictors of vaccine uptake during catch-ups are poorly understood, however evidence from routine schedule uptake suggests demographics and attitudes may be central. This work explored this hypothesis using a robust evidence-based measure.DesignCross-sectional self-administered questionnaire with objective behavioural outcome.Setting and Participants365 UK parents, whose children were aged 5–18 years and had received <2 MMR doses before the 2008–09 UK catch-up started.Main Outcome MeasuresParents' attitudes and demographics, parent-reported receipt of invitation to receive catch-up MMR dose(s), and catch-up MMR uptake according to child's medical record (receipt of MMR doses during year 1 of the catch-up).ResultsPerceived social desirability/benefit of MMR uptake (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.09–2.87) and younger child age (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.68–0.89) were the only independent predictors of catch-up MMR uptake in the sample overall. Uptake predictors differed by whether the child had received 0 MMR doses or 1 MMR dose before the catch-up. Receipt of catch-up invitation predicted uptake only in the 0 dose group (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.18–10.05), whilst perceived social desirability/benefit of MMR uptake predicted uptake only in the 1 dose group (OR = 9.61, 95% CI = 2.57–35.97). Attitudes and demographics explained only 28% of MMR uptake in the 0 dose group compared with 61% in the 1 dose group.ConclusionsCatch-up MMR invitations may effectively move children from 0 to 1 MMR doses (unimmunised to partially immunised), whilst attitudinal interventions highlighting social benefits of MMR may effectively move children from 1 to 2 MMR doses (partially to fully immunised). Older children may be best targeted through school-based programmes. A formal evaluation element should be incorporated into future catch-up campaigns to inform their continuing improvement.

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Following an increase in the incidence of whooping cough (pertussis) in the general population from 2011, coupled with neonatal pertussis mortality seen in 2012, a programme of maternal pertussis immunisation was introduced to the UK in the same year. The programme aims to provide passive immunity from birth, until active immunity can be provided through the routine immunisation programme from 8 weeks of age. Since its introduction, evaluation of the vaccine given in pregnancy has demonstrated its safety, efficacy and patient acceptability. Uptake of the vaccine has reached 70% and its continued use is an opportunity to protect newborn babies from a serious and sometimes fatal vaccine-preventable infection. Midwives should discuss pertussis immunisation with pregnant women and either signpost them to their GP to receive it or, if commissioned to do so, administer the vaccine themselves.