Abigail Shefer

Reviews of evidence regarding interventions to improve vaccination coverage in children, adolescents, and adults

Abstract Background: This paper presents the results of systematic reviews of the effectiveness, applicability, other effects, economic impact, and barriers to use of selected population-based interventions intended to improve vaccination coverage. The related systematic reviews are linked by a common conceptual approach. These reviews form the basis for recommendations by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (the Task Force) regarding the use of these selected interventions. The Task Force recommendations are presented on pp. 92–96 of this issue.

Reviews of evidence regarding interventions to improve vaccination coverage in children, adolescents, and adults 1 2

Abstract Background: This paper presents the results of systematic reviews of the effectiveness, applicability, other effects, economic impact, and barriers to use of selected population-based interventions intended to improve vaccination coverage. The related systematic reviews are linked by a common conceptual approach. These reviews form the basis for recommendations by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (the Task Force) regarding the use of these selected interventions. The Task Force recommendations are presented on pp. 92–96 of this issue.

Trends in Acute Otitis Media-Related Health Care Utilization by Privately Insured Young Children in the United States, 1997-2004

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to estimate the population effect of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on rates of acute otitis media-related ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescriptions for <2-year-old children enrolled in private insurance plans. METHODS. We performed a retrospective analysis of a defined population by using the 1997–2004 MarketScan databases, which included an average of >500000 person-years of observations for children <2 years of age. Trends in rates of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-coded ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescriptions attributable to acute otitis media were evaluated, and the national direct medical expenditures for these outcomes were estimated. RESULTS. In a comparison of 2004 with 1997–1999 (baseline period), rates of ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescriptions attributable to acute otitis media decreased from 2173 to 1244 visits per 1000 person-years (42.7% reduction) and from 1244 to 722 prescriptions per 1000 person-years (41.9% reduction), respectively. Total, estimated, national direct medical expenditures for acute otitis media-related ambulatory visits and antibiotic prescriptions for children <2 years of age decreased from an average of

Human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and vaccination initiation among women in the United States, National Immunization Survey-Adult 2007.

1.41 billion during 1997 to 1999 to

Standards for adult immunization practices

0.95 billion in 2004 (32.3% reduction). CONCLUSIONS. Acute otitis media-related health care utilization and associated antibiotic prescriptions for privately insured young children decreased more than expected (on the basis of efficacy estimates in prelicensure clinical trials) after the introduction of routine 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine immunization. Although other factors, such as clinical practice guidelines to reduce antibiotic use, might have contributed to the observed trend, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may play an important role in reducing the burden of acute otitis media, resulting in substantial savings in medical care costs.

Economic Evaluation of the Routine Childhood Immunization Program in the United States, 2009

OBJECTIVES To report awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine among women aged 18-49 years and, for recommended women aged 18-26 years, estimate initiation of HPV vaccination and describe factors associated with vaccination initiation among a national sample. METHODS Data were analyzed from the National Immunization Survey-Adult, a nationally representative telephone survey conducted May-August 2007. Questions were asked about awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine and vaccine receipt. RESULTS A total of 1102 women aged 18-49 years were interviewed, 168 were aged 18-26 years. Overall, awareness of HPV (84.3%) and of HPV vaccine (78.9%) were high. Among women 18-26 years of age, vaccination initiation (> or =1 dose) was 10%. Factors associated with vaccination included not being married, living > or =200% of the federal poverty index, having health insurance, and vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine. HPV vaccination initiation among women aged 27-49 years was 1%. CONCLUSIONS Awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine were high. Two to 5 months after national HPV vaccination recommendations were published, one in ten women 18-26 years old had initiated the HPV vaccine series. Women at a higher socio-economic level were more likely to receive the vaccination. Vaccination initiation and completion will likely increase over the next years. Monitoring uptake is important to identify sub-groups that may not be receiving the vaccination.

Immunization Information Systems to Increase Vaccination Rates: A Community Guide Systematic Review

Since the Standards for Adult Immunization Practices were first published in 1990, healthcare researchers and providers have learned important lessons on how to better achieve and maintain high vaccination rates in adults. The success rate of childhood immunization far exceeds the success rate of adult immunization. Thus, information and practices that will produce higher success rates for adult vaccination are crucial, resulting in overall societal cost savings and substantial reductions in hospitalizations and deaths. The Standards, which were developed to encourage the best immunization practices, represent the collective efforts of more than 100 people from more than 60 organizations. The revised Standards are more comprehensive than the 1990 Standards and focus on the accessibility and availability of vaccines, proper assessment of patient vaccination status, opportunities for patient education, correct procedures for administering vaccines, implementation of strategies to improve vaccination rates, and partnerships with the community to reach target patient populations. The revised Standards are recommended for use by all healthcare professionals and all public and private sector organizations that provide immunizations for adults. All who are involved in adult immunization should strive to follow the Standards in order to create the same level of success achieved by childhood vaccination programs and to meet the Healthy People 2010 goals.

Factors Associated with Antimicrobial Use in Nursing Homes : A Multilevel Model

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the economic impact of the 2009 routine US childhood immunization schedule, including diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate, inactivated poliovirus, measles/mumps/rubella, hepatitis B, varicella, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate, hepatitis A, and rotavirus vaccines; influenza vaccine was not included. METHODS: Decision analysis was conducted using population-based vaccination coverage, published vaccine efficacies, historical data on disease incidence before vaccination, and disease incidence reported during 2005 to 2009. Costs were estimated using the direct cost and societal (direct and indirect costs) perspectives. Program costs included vaccine, administration, vaccine-associated adverse events, and parent travel and work time lost. All costs were inflated to 2009 dollars, and all costs and benefits in the future were discounted at a 3% annual rate. A hypothetical 2009 US birth cohort of 4 261 494 infants over their lifetime was followed up from birth through death. Net present value (net savings) and benefit-cost ratios of routine childhood immunization were calculated. RESULTS: Analyses showed that routine childhood immunization among members of the 2009 US birth cohort will prevent ∼42 000 early deaths and 20 million cases of disease, with net savings of

Factors Associated with Underimmunization at 3 Months of Age in Four Medically Underserved Areas

13.5 billion in direct costs and

Outbreak of drug-resistant tuberculosis with second-generation transmission in a high school in California

68.8 billion in total societal costs, respectively. The direct and societal benefit-cost ratios for routine childhood vaccination with these 9 vaccines were 3.0 and 10.1. CONCLUSIONS: From both direct cost and societal perspectives, vaccinating children as recommended with these vaccines results in substantial cost savings.