Dietmar Walter

Pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 breakthrough infections and estimates of vaccine effectiveness in Germany 2009-2010.

During the 2009 influenza pandemic, a monovalent AS03-adjuvanted vaccine was almost exclusively used in Germany for immunisation against the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus. One-dose vaccination was recommended for all age groups. We applied the screening method for the rapid assessment of vaccine effectiveness (VE) based on reported data of vaccinated and unvaccinated pandemic influenza cases and vaccination coverage estimates. Preliminary results demonstrate excellent VE in persons aged 14-59 years (96.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 95.2-97.9) and moderately high VE in those 60 years or older (83.3%; 95% CI: 71.0-90.5).

Barriers to pandemic influenza vaccination and uptake of seasonal influenza vaccine in the post-pandemic season in Germany

BackgroundIn Germany, annual vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended for certain target groups (e.g. persons aged ≥60 years, chronically ill persons, healthcare workers (HCW)). In season 2009/10, vaccination against pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, which was controversially discussed in the public, was recommended for the whole population. The objectives of this study were to assess vaccination coverage for seasonal (seasons 2008/09-2010/11) and pandemic influenza (season 2009/10), to identify predictors of and barriers to pandemic vaccine uptake and whether the controversial discussions on pandemic vaccination has had a negative impact on seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in Germany.MethodsWe analysed data from the ‘German Health Update’ (GEDA10) telephone survey (n=22,050) and a smaller GEDA10-follow-up survey (n=2,493), which were both representative of the general population aged ≥18 years living in Germany.ResultsOverall only 8.8% of the adult population in Germany received a vaccination against pandemic influenza. High socioeconomic status, having received a seasonal influenza shot in the previous season, and belonging to a target group for seasonal influenza vaccination were independently associated with the uptake of pandemic vaccines. The main reasons for not receiving a pandemic vaccination were ‘fear of side effects’ and the opinion that ‘vaccination was not necessary’. Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in the pre-pandemic season 2008/09 was 52.8% among persons aged ≥60 years; 30.5% among HCW, and 43.3% among chronically ill persons. A decrease in vaccination coverage was observed across all target groups in the first post-pandemic season 2010/11 (50.6%, 25.8%, and 41.0% vaccination coverage, respectively).ConclusionsSeasonal influenza vaccination coverage in Germany remains in all target groups below 75%, which is a declared goal of the European Union. Our results suggest that controversial public discussions about safety and the benefits of pandemic influenza vaccination may have contributed to both a very low uptake of pandemic vaccines and a decreased uptake of seasonal influenza vaccines in the first post-pandemic season. In the upcoming years, the uptake of seasonal influenza vaccines should be carefully monitored in all target groups to identify if this trend continues and to guide public health authorities in developing more effective vaccination and communication strategies for seasonal influenza vaccination.

Monitoring pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccination coverage in Germany 2009/10 – Results from thirteen consecutive cross-sectional surveys

To monitor pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccine uptake during the vaccination campaign in Germany 2009/10, thirteen consecutive cross-sectional telephone-surveys were performed between November 2009 and April 2010. In total 13,010 household-interviews were conducted. Vaccination coverage in persons >14 years of age remained low, both in the general population (8.1%; 95%CI: 7.4-8.8) and in specific target groups such as healthcare workers and individuals with underlying chronic diseases (12.8%; 95%CI: 11.4-14.4). Previous vaccination against seasonal influenza was a main factor independently associated with pandemic influenza vaccination (Odds ratio=8.8; 95%CI: 7.2-10.8). The campaign failed to reach people at risk who were not used to receive their annual seasonal influenza shot.

Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in Germany 2007/2008 and 2008/2009: Results from a national health update survey

In 2008/2009 a nationwide cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted to assess, among other health-relevant parameters, seasonal influenza vaccination coverage. Data from 21,262 household-interviews representative of the adult population in Germany were collected and analyzed. In seasons 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, vaccine uptake in individuals aged ≥60 years was 57% and 55% and in individuals with underlying chronic diseases 44% and 42%. Living in the eastern part of Germany, higher age, and medium household income level were independently associated with higher vaccine uptake in both target groups. Healthcare workers were significantly less frequently (21.9% in 2007/2008; 20.4% in 2008/2009) vaccinated than the general population (30.8% and 28.1%). Special effort must be undertaken to develop immunization strategies for improved vaccine uptake in target groups, especially in healthcare workers.

Cross-sectional study on factors associated with influenza vaccine uptake and pertussis vaccination status among pregnant women in Germany.

Pregnant women and their newborns are at increased risk for influenza-related complications; the latter also have an increased risk for pertussis-related complications. In Germany, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for pregnant women since 2010. A dose of pertussis-containing vaccine has been recommended since 2004 for women of childbearing age if they have not been vaccinated within the past 10 years. We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey among pregnant women in February/March 2013 to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to influenza vaccination during pregnancy and to identify factors associated with their pertussis vaccination status. In total, 1025 pregnant women participated and provided information through a self-administered questionnaire. Of these, 23.2% were vaccinated against seasonal influenza during the 2012/13 season; 15.9% during their pregnancy. Major reasons for being unvaccinated (n=686 respondents) were lack of confidence in the vaccine (60.4%) and the perception that vaccination was not necessary (40.3%). Influenza vaccination during pregnancy was independently associated with having received influenza vaccine in the previous season, having received a recommendation from a physician, a high level of vaccine-related knowledge and of perceived disease severity. In contrast, knowledge of the recommendation for regular hand-washing to prevent influenza and the perception that vaccine-related side effects were likely to occur or likely to be severe were negatively associated with vaccine uptake. Receipt of a pertussis vaccine in the past 10 years was reported by 22.5% of participants. Pertussis vaccine uptake was independently associated with living in the Eastern federal states and receiving seasonal influenza vaccination annually, while a migration background was associated with a lower uptake. To enhance vaccine uptake in pregnant women and women of childbearing age, special efforts must be undertaken to improve knowledge of both recommendations and the benefits of vaccination. Gynecologists could serve as important facilitators.

Monitoring pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccination coverage in Germany 2009/10

To monitor pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccine uptake during the vaccination campaign in Germany 2009/10, thirteen consecutive cross-sectional telephone-surveys were performed between November 2009 and April 2010. In total 13,010 household-interviews were conducted. Vaccination coverage in persons >14 years of age remained low, both in the general population (8.1%; 95%CI: 7.4-8.8) and in specific target groups such as healthcare workers and individuals with underlying chronic diseases (12.8%; 95%CI: 11.4-14.4). Previous vaccination against seasonal influenza was a main factor independently associated with pandemic influenza vaccination (Odds ratio=8.8; 95%CI: 7.2-10.8). The campaign failed to reach people at risk who were not used to receive their annual seasonal influenza shot.

Risk perception and information-seeking behaviour during the 2009/10 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic in Germany.

During the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic in 2009/10, a total of 13 consecutive surveys were carried out of the general population in Germany to monitor knowledge, attitude and behaviour concerning the disease and vaccination against pandemic influenza in real time. In total, 13,010 persons aged 14 years or older were interviewed by computer-assisted telephone techniques between November 2009 and April 2010. During the peak of the pandemic, only 18% of participants stated that they perceived the risk of pandemic influenza as high; this proportion fell to 10% in January 2010. There was a significant difference in information-seeking behaviour among population subgroups concerning the disease and vaccine uptake. However, in all subgroups, conventional media sources such as television, radio and newspapers were more frequently used than the Internet. While the majority of participants (78%) felt sufficiently informed to make a decision for or against vaccination, overall vaccination coverage remained low. Among those who decided against vaccination, fear of adverse events and perception that the available vaccines were not sufficiently evaluated were the most frequently stated reasons. Such mistrust in the vaccines and the perceived low risk of the disease were the main barriers that contributed to the low vaccination coverage in Germany during the pandemic.

Determinants of tetanus and seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in adults living in Germany.

The primary objective of this study was to assess determinants of vaccine uptake in adults living in Germany exemplified by one standard vaccination (tetanus) and one vaccination targeting specific risk-groups (seasonal influenza). Data from 21,262 telephone household-interviews representative of the adult population in Germany were collected in 2009 and analysed. A total 73.1% of the adult population had a sufficient tetanus vaccination status according to national recommendations (i.e. last tetanus shot ≤10 years ago). Influenza vaccination coverage in the target population (i.e. persons ≥60 years, chronically ill, healthcare workers) was 44.1%. Persons who received professional vaccination advice within the past five years were more frequently vaccinated against tetanus and influenza than persons without (p

Influenza vaccination coverage in the 2004/05, 2005/06, and 2006/07 seasons: a secondary data analysis based on billing data of the German Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians

BACKGROUND The German Standing Committee on Vaccination recommends annual vaccination for persons in high-risk groups in order to lower the disease burden associated with seasonal influenza. The stated target is 75% vaccination coverage of people over age 60 by the year 2010. We present statistics based on billing data of the German associations of statutory health insurance physicians regarding vaccination coverage for influenza in the three seasons from 2004/05 to 2006/07. METHODS We analyzed anonymous data from 14 of the 17 associations of statutory health insurance physicians in Germany. The study population consisted of all persons covered by statutory health insurance in the geographical areas under study (61.5 million persons, or 86% of the total population of these areas). Vaccination coverage was calculated as the number of vaccinated persons divided by the number of persons covered by statutory health insurance. RESULTS The influenza vaccination coverage of the overall study population was 19% in 2004/05, 22% in 2005/06, and 21% in 2006/07. The coverage of persons over age 60 was 45% in 2004/05, 50% in 2005/06, and 49% in 2006/07 and was higher in areas that were formerly part of East Germany than in the rest of the country. More than a third of all vaccinated persons were vaccinated in all three seasons, as were almost half of the vaccinated persons over age 60. CONCLUSION There was no secular increase in influenza vaccination coverage over the period 2005/06 to 2006/07. The stated target of 75% vaccination coverage for persons over age 60 by the year 2010 would thus seem to represent a major challenge for all persons involved. The analysis of data of the associations of statutory health insurance physicians enables continuous monitoring of influenza vaccination coverage.

HPV vaccination coverage among women aged 18–20 years in Germany three years after recommendation of HPV vaccination for adolescent girls: Results from a cross-sectional survey

Objective: Routine immunization of adolescent girls aged 12–17 y against human papillomavirus (HPV) was recommended in Germany in March 2007. We aimed to assess HPV-vaccine uptake and knowledge about post-vaccination cervical cancer screening and condom use in women aged 18–20 years, three years after adoption of HPV-vaccination into the routine vaccination schedule. Results: Overall 2,001 females participated in our study. Of these, 49% reported receipt of a complete three-dose course of HPV-vaccines; 11% received 1 or 2 doses. Living in East Germany, high educational status, and interest in health-related issues were independently associated with HPV-vaccination. Misconceptions among survey-participants were rare: Only 8% believed that HPV-vaccination would obviate the need for cervical screening and 1% that condom use would be dispensible after vaccination. Methods: In 2010, a nationwide cross-sectional telephone-survey was performed among randomly-selected women aged 18–20 years living in Germany. Telephone interviews were conducted by a large professional market research institute as part of a daily omnibus survey. Conclusion: HPV-vaccination coverage is low in Germany. The results indicate that there is an urgent need for the implementation of a coordinated adolescent vaccination program to facilitate access to vaccination, including balanced information tailored to this age group. Otherwise, the HPV-vaccination effort will fall short of reaching its maximum public health benefit.