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•Asplenic patients in the US are recommended to receive meningococcal vaccinations (MenACWY and MenB).•During 3 years after a new asplenia diagnosis, only 28.1% received the MenACWY and only 9.7% received MenB vaccine.•Evidence of pneumococcal vaccination and well-care visits were associated with increased meningococcal vaccination. Patients with asplenia are recommended to receive meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) and B (MenB) vaccines in the United States (US). To examine uptake and time to receipt of meningococcal vaccines in newly diagnosed asplenia patients, and identify factors associated with vaccination. For this retrospective database analysis, patients were identified from 1/1/2010 (MenACWY) or 1/1/2015 (MenB) through 3/31/2018 from an administrative claims database including commercially insured US patients with ≥1 inpatient or ≥2 outpatient claims with evidence of a new asplenia diagnosis (sickle cell disease was excluded); continuous enrollment for ≥12 months before and ≥6 months after the index date; and age ≥2 (MenACWY) or ≥10 (MenB) years. Co-primary outcomes were uptake and time to receipt of ≥1 dose, separately for MenACWY and MenB, by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify characteristics associated with vaccination. Among 2,273 and 741 patients eligible for the MenACWY and MenB analyses, respectively, 28.1% and 9.7% received MenACWY and MenB in the first 3 years after a new asplenia diagnosis. Patients were more likely to receive meningococcal vaccines if they had received pneumococcal vaccines (MenACWY: hazard ratio [HR] 26.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 21.01–32.22; MenB: HR 3.89; 95% CI 2.07–7.29) or attended ≥1 well-care visit (MenACWY: HR 6.63; 95% CI 4.84–9.09; MenB: HR 11.17; 95% CI 3.02–41.26). Meningococcal vaccination rates among newly diagnosed asplenia patients were low, highlighting the need to educate providers about the recommendations for high-risk conditions and ensure healthcare access for vulnerable patients.

Introduction In Germany, the estimation of the disease burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older adults is limited. This makes it challenging for public health decision-makers to develop evidence-based recommendations for newly available vaccines against RSV for individuals aged 60 years and older (60+). This study investigates publicly available data sources in Germany to address the current gaps in evidence regarding the burden of RSV. Methods Hospitalisation databases from the German Federal Statistical Office and national mortality statistic between 2000 and 2023, as well as regular surveillance reports from the national public health institute since 2014, were utilised to extract, combine and analyse data on RSV-related morbidity and mortality. These data were used to triangulate the age-specific burden of RSV. Results The data indicate that the number of RSV-related outpatient consultations ranges between 1,313,100 and 3,911,800 cases per season from 2014/2015 to 2022/2023 for all age groups, with approximately 13.0% of outpatient consultations occurring in adults 60+. The significant increase in hospitalisations over time suggests that heightened testing due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed the underdetection of inpatient RSV cases in pre-pandemic seasons. In the most recent season recorded, 2022/2023, the data show 12,800 RSV-related hospitalisations in adults 60+ (24% of all RSV-related hospitalisations) and 1340 in-hospital deaths in adults 60+ (93% of all RSV-related deaths). Conclusion The comparison of pre- to post-pandemic seasons strongly suggest up to a sevenfold underdetection of RSV in individuals 60+, and the analysis of in-hospital mortality reveals higher mortality rates compared with the general German mortality statistics. These findings highlight the urgent need to improve surveillance and implement targeted prevention strategies to mitigate the impact of RSV in older adults.

Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of severe respiratory disease in older adults. Despite growing recognition of RSV as a public health concern, vaccination options remain limited. This study assessed the potential long-term public health impact of extended mRNA-1345 RSV vaccination campaigns. Methods: A dynamic transmission model, stratified by age, was developed to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical impact of RSV vaccination in the UK over a 20-year time horizon. Eight vaccination strategies were assessed: two reflecting the JCVI recommendation for the 2024–2025 season and its recent extension, and six extended strategies considering broader eligible age groups, higher coverage, and/or revaccination every 2 or 3 years. Two exploratory analyses and extensive model validation versus reported data were also conducted. Results: Strategies combining broader age eligibility (≥60 years), higher coverage (80%), and 2-year revaccination achieved the greatest impact, preventing 310,000 hospitalisations over 20 years in the total UK population. Exploratory analyses showed that the expected public health impact might exceed the estimates presented in this analysis, if an alternative vaccine efficacy profile or the projected demographic shift would be confirmed. Conclusions: Extended RSV vaccination strategies including broader age eligibility and routine revaccination could offer substantial public health benefits in the UK. Targeting adults aged ≥60 years is expected to be particularly efficient in achieving a sustainable reduction in RSV burden. These findings could provide valuable support for national policy discussions on optimising RSV vaccination strategies in older adults, particularly regarding target age groups, revaccination schedules, and long-term programme planning.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been reported as a potential risk factor for developing herpes zoster (HZ). We aimed at comparing incidence rates of HZ between people with versus without COPD in the US. This retrospective cohort study used data from Optum's de‐identified Clinformatics Data Mart database from 1/1/2013 through 12/31/2018. We identified two cohorts of people ≥40 years without prior HZ, HZ vaccination, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) or HZ ophthalmicus: those with (COPD+) and those without (COPD−) a COPD diagnosis. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) of HZ and PHN were calculated using generalized linear models, controlling for the propensity score of being diagnosed with COPD and relevant demographic and clinical characteristics. People in the COPD+ cohort (n = 161 970) were considerably older, had more comorbidities and were more likely to use corticosteroids than those in the COPD− cohort (n = 9 643 522). The incidence rate of HZ was 5.7‐fold higher in the COPD+ versus COPD− cohorts (13.0 vs. 2.3 per 1000 person‐years [PY]; aIRR, 2.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.69 to 2.85; P < 0.001). The unadjusted incidence rate of PHN was 1.7‐fold higher in the COPD+/HZ+ versus COPD−/HZ+ cohort (64.8 vs. 37.1 per 1000 PY), but not after adjustment (aIRR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.45). HZ and PHN incidence rates increased with age. After adjustment, COPD+ adults had a 2.8‐fold increased risk of developing HZ. These results may help to increase awareness about potential risk factors for HZ and highlight the need for vaccination among those at increased risk. This study reviewed 2013–2018 US insurance claims data to compare the incidence rates of herpes zoster among people 40 years and older with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Adjusting for baseline demographics and clinical characteristics, this study found that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were nearly three times more likely to develop herpes zoster than those without.

In the United States, individuals with HIV infection have been recommended to receive a 2-dose series of the meningococcal A, C, W, Y (MenACWY) vaccine since 2016 owing to their increased risk of meningococcal disease. To examine uptake and time to receipt of the MenACWY vaccine among people with a new diagnosis of HIV. This cohort study used health insurance data from the US Optum Research Database from January 1, 2016, through March 31, 2018, to retrospectively identify 1208 individuals aged 2 years or older with 1 or more inpatient claim or 2 or more outpatient claims evidencing a new diagnosis of HIV infection and with continuous insurance enrollment for 12 or more months before and 6 or more months after diagnosis. Follow-up was 6 to 33 months. Statistical analysis was conducted from March 7, 2019, to January 5, 2022. Receipt of the MenACWY vaccine. The coprimary outcomes were uptake and time to receipt of 1 or more doses of the MenACWY vaccine after a new HIV diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included uptake and time to receipt of 2 or more doses of the MenACWY vaccine. Vaccination uptake and receipt were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis; factors associated with receipt of 1 or more doses of the MenACWY vaccine were identified with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Of 1208 individuals eligible for vaccination (1024 male patients [84.8%]; mean [SD] age, 38.8 [12.5] years; 35 [2.9%] Asian; 273 [22.6%] Black; 204 [16.9%] Hispanic; 442 [36.6%] White), 16.3% were estimated to have received a first dose of the MenACWY vaccine in the 2 years after a new HIV diagnosis. Among individuals who received a first dose, at 1 year or more of enrollment after the first dose, 66.2% were estimated to have received a second dose within 1 year of the first dose. Factors statistically significantly associated with uptake of the MenACWY vaccine included receipt of a pneumococcal vaccine (hazard ratio [HR], 23.03; 95% CI, 13.93-38.09), attendance at a well-care visit (HR, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.11-12.12), West or Midwest geographic region (West: HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.44-3.47; Midwest: HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.16-2.71), and male sex (HR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.18-6.26), whereas age of 56 years or older was significantly associated with reduced uptake of the MenACWY vaccine (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.18-0.97). This cohort study suggests that MenACWY vaccine uptake among people with a new diagnosis of HIV was low, highlighting the need to educate patients and clinicians about the recommendations for conditions such as HIV infection that increase the risk of meningococcal disease among high-risk populations.

In a placebo-controlled, phase 2–3 trial, one dose of mRNA-1345 led to a lower incidence of RSV disease among adults 60 years of age or older. Solicited local and systemic adverse reactions occurred more often with the vaccine.

[Display omitted] •In 2018, MenB vaccination coverage with ≥1 dose among US 17 years-olds was 17.2%.•Fewer than half of 17 years-olds who started the MenB series received a second dose.•Being vaccinated against HPV or MenACWY increased the likelihood of MenB receipt. Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccination recommendations for adolescents in the United States (US) include routine vaccination for all individuals at increased risk and vaccination for individuals not at increased risk aged 16–23 years (preferred age 16–18 years) based on shared clinical decision-making. The two licensed MenB vaccines require administration of ≥2 doses. This cross-sectional study analyzed 2017–2018 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) data to evaluate ≥1 dose and ≥2 dose MenB vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 17 years. Multivariable logistic regression was used to further evaluate determinants of MenB vaccination. Nationally, MenB vaccination coverage among 17-year-olds increased from 14.5% in 2017 to 17.2% in 2018 for ≥1 dose and from 6.3% to 8.4% for ≥2 doses. MenB vaccination coverage (2017–2018) was the lowest in the South (≥1 dose: 14.6%; ≥2 doses: 6.3%) and highest in the Northeast region (18.3% and 9.3%), with variation observed by census division. Adolescents were more likely to have received ≥1 dose of MenB vaccine if they had any Medicaid insurance (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32–2.39) or had received human papillomavirus (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.41–2.67) or meningococcal A, C, W, and Y (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 2.92–5.56) vaccinations. MenB first-dose coverage in the US is low, and even lower for a second dose, with regional variation. Being up to date with other routinely administered vaccines increased the likelihood of receiving MenB vaccination.

We administered an online survey to 400 health care providers (HCPs) to evaluate knowledge and self-reported practices regarding hepatitis A (HepA)/hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination. Most HCPs (73%) were familiar with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; 89% and 90% reported adhering to the guidelines always/most of the time for HepA and HepB, respectively. Self-reported adherence to guidelines varied across specialties, with nurse practitioners reporting the highest adherence rate of 94%. Survey results, including perceived barriers, reasons for not stocking vaccines, and predictors of adherence to and familiarity with guidelines, may inform strategies to improve compliance with hepatitis vaccination recommendations. •Most health care providers (HCPs) are aware of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP’s) role.•Most nurse practitioners and HCPs follow ACIP hepatitis vaccine guidelines.•Awareness of and adherence to ACIP guidelines vary across HCP specialties.•Barriers to recommending vaccines include verifying patient risk factors and vaccine history.