Vaccination of healthcare personnel in Europe: Update to current policies

Maltezou, Helena C.; Botelho-Nevers, Élisabeth; Brantsæter, Arne Broch; Carlsson, Rose-Marie; Heininger, Ulrich; Hübschen, Judith M.; Josefsdottir, Kamilla S; Kassianos, George; Kynčl, Jan; Ledda, Caterina; Medić, Snežana; Nitsch–Osuch, Aneta; Lejarazu, Raúl Ortíz de; Theodoridou, Maria; Damme, Pierre Van; Essen, G A van; Wicker, Sabine; Wiedermann, Ursula; Poland, Gregory A.; Bino, Silvia; Filipova, Radosveta; Draženović, Vladimir; Koliou, Maria; Fabiánová, Kateřina; Jensen, Lise Heilmann; Filippova, Irina; Elonsalo, Ulpu; Molnár, Zsolt; Sisson, Lynda; Perevoščikovs, J; Savrasova, Larisa; Čaplinskas, Saulius; Berthet, Françoise; Borg, Michael; Cirstea, Olga; Silva, Graça; Falup‐Pecurariu, Oana; Mikheeva, Irina V.; Kollarova, Dagmar; Mrvič, Tatjana; Roth, Adam; Chernyshova, Liudmyla; Lapiy, F.I.

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.09.061

Cited by 90 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…However, there are significant variations between European vaccination programs in terms of number of vaccines, vaccination schedules, target groups, and regulatory frame of implementation (voluntary or mandatory vaccinations). Similar variations have been found between European vaccination programs for children and for healthcare personnel [24].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Mandatory vaccination policies for children against several VPDs were recently adopted in Italy, France and Germany, with very good preliminary results [10,32,33]. Mandatory vaccination policies for healthcare personnel are also in place in several European countries [24]. It is likely that mandatory vaccination policies will be increasingly implemented, considering the recent devastating measles epidemics in Europe and the increasing vaccine hesitancy [6,34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vaccination Programs for Adults in Europe, 2019

et al. 2020

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Background: While all European countries implement vaccination programs for children, there are gaps in terms of vaccination programs for adults. Methods: We studied the 2019 vaccination policies for adults in 42 European countries. Results: Vaccination programs for adults were in place in all countries. However, there were considerable differences between countries in terms of number of vaccinations, target populations and frame of implementation (recommended or mandatory vaccinations). In particular the following vaccination policies were in place: influenza (42 countries), tetanus (31), diphtheria (30), pneumococcus (29), hepatitis B (20), pertussis (18), measles (14), human papilloma virus (14), meningococcus tetravalent A,C,W,Y (14), rubella (13), hepatitis A (11), mumps (11), poliomyelitis (10), herpes zoster (9), varicella (8), tick-born encephalitis (8), meningococcus B (6), rabies (6), Haemophilus influenzae type b (5), tuberculosis (3), typhoid fever (3), meningococcus C (2), and yellow fever (1). Seventeen countries implement mandatory vaccinations, mainly against diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis B. Conclusions: There are significant differences in vaccination programs for adults in Europe. Routine vaccination programs for adults need to be strengthened. A consensus-based vaccination program is needed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccination Programs for Adults in Europe, 2019

et al. 2020

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“…We call for public health authorities globally to work on raising influenza vaccine uptake rates prioritizing high-risk groups and HCP. In countries where HCP are immunized against influenza on a voluntary basis, like in almost all European countries, the implementation of mandatory immunization policies should be highly considered in the context of the ongoing pandemic [17] , [18] . Because concerns exist that manufacturers may divert manufacturing capacity to COVID-19 and other vaccines, we call upon manufacturers to insure an increased supply of influenza vaccines as early in the fall season as possible in order to allow large-scale immunization programs hopefully prior to a second wave of COVID-19.…”

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confidence: 99%

Influenza immunization and COVID-19

Maltezou

Theodoridou

Poland

2020

Vaccine

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“…In Europe, only 17 out of 30 countries strongly recommend measles immunization for all HCWs, including Finland where measles vaccination is mandatory [34,35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunization Status against Measles of Health-Care Workers Operating at Three Sicilian University Hospitals: An Observational Study

et al. 2019

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Measles is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) that also commonly affects health-care workers (HCWs). Measles immunization of HCWs was strongly recommended by international health authorities, in order to limit the spreading of the illness to susceptible patients and colleagues. An observational study, evaluating the immunization and vaccination status against measles of HCWs working at three Sicilian university hospitals, was conducted. All subjects not completely immune (vaccinated with only one dose in their lifetime), not immune (not vaccinated or not naturally immunized), and with an unknown immunization status were considered not immunized. Among HCWs operating in the three Sicilian university hospitals, 54.6% were not immune against measles. The average age of not immune HCWs was 51.3 (SD ± 9.8), ranging between 25 and 71 years old. In particular, 46.9% of HCWs not immunized worked in “at-risk” hospital units, based on medical conditions of patients which increases the probability of contracting an infection. Vaccination coverage rates observed against measles are considerably lower than other European countries and inadequate. It is therefore crucial to tackle vaccine hesitancy among HCWs, promoting strategies targeted to evaluate immunization status against VPDs and to significantly increase vaccine coverages, such as tailored training and vaccination offer or compulsory vaccination programs.

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Vaccination of healthcare personnel in Europe: Update to current policies

Cited by 90 publications

References 20 publications

Vaccination Programs for Adults in Europe, 2019

Vaccination Programs for Adults in Europe, 2019

Influenza immunization and COVID-19

Immunization Status against Measles of Health-Care Workers Operating at Three Sicilian University Hospitals: An Observational Study

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