Smoking and serological response to influenza vaccine.

Cigarette smoking confers additional risk from influenza. This study assessed the effect of smoking on humoral immune response to influenza vaccine. Adults ≥50 y of age were enrolled during the 2011-2016 influenza vaccination seasons in an observational prospective study.

A randomized controlled trial of antibody response to 2018-19 cell-based vs. egg-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in children.

Background: Current influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) improvement efforts focus on minimizing egg adaptation mutations during manufacture. This study compared immune response of two FDA-approved quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines in an unblinded randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Participants were 144 community dwelling, healthy children/adolescents aged 4-20 years, randomized 1:1 in blocks of 4 to a vaccine grown in cell culture (ccIIV4 [Flucelvax®]; n = 85); or in egg medium (IIV4 [Fluzone ®]; n = 83).

Differential gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children immunized with inactivated influenza vaccine.

The human immune response to inactivated influenza vaccine is dynamic and impacted by age and preexisting immunity. Our goal was to identify postvaccination transcriptomic changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children. Blood samples were obtained before and at 3 or 7 days postvaccination with 2016-2017 quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine and RNA sequencing was performed.

A "Sense"-ational HPV Vaccination Quality Improvement Project in a Family Medicine Residency Practice.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake for adolescents and young adults in the United States remains far from national goals. Using a multi-component intervention aligned with community-wide efforts, we implemented a quality improvement project to increase HPV vaccinations among 9-26 year-old male and female patients in an urban, low income, minority population family medicine residency practice.

Methods: The pre-intervention year was November 2, 2014 to October 31, 2015 and the intervention year was November 1, 2015 to October 31, 2016.

Racial Disparities in Adult Pneumococcal Vaccination Indications and Pneumococcal Hospitalizations in the U.S.

Background: Racial disparities in U.S. adult pneumococcal vaccination rates persist despite reduced barriers to access.

Inflammatory Mediator Expression Associated With Antibody Response Induced by Live Attenuated vs Inactivated Influenza Virus Vaccine in Children.

Background: The reasons for differences in vaccine effectiveness between live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) are not clear.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained before vaccination and at days 7 and 21 postvaccination with 2015-2016 quadrivalent IIV or LAIV. Serologic response to the vaccine was measured by hemagglutination inhibition assay.

Long-term Outcomes for Teen Mothers Who Participated in a Mentoring Program to Prevent Repeat Teen Pregnancy.

Background: Each year in the United States (US), one million adolescents are pregnant, of which approximately 20% are repeat pregnancies. Adolescent motherhood is associated with lower educational attainment, socioeconomic status and poorer health outcomes. A mentoring program called the Maikuru Program conducted from 2011 to 2015, was designed to teach young mothers under 20 years old how to face daily life challenges, to support them by pairing them with an adult mentor, and prevent a subsequent pregnancy during their teens.

The effect of frailty on HAI response to influenza vaccine among community-dwelling adults ≥ 50 years of age.

The immune response to vaccine antigens is less robust in older adults because of changes in the aging immune system. Frailty, the multi-dimensional syndrome marked by losses in function and physiological reserve, is increasingly prevalent with advancing age. Frailty accelerates this immunosenescence but the consequence of frailty on immune response specific to influenza vaccine among older adults, is mixed.

Using the 4 Pillars™ Practice Transformation Program to increase adolescent human papillomavirus, meningococcal, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis and influenza vaccination.

Objectives: To report the results of an intervention using the 4 Pillars™ Practice Transformation Program (4 Pillars™ Program) to increase adolescent vaccinations including human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) and influenza vaccines, which remain underutilized in this population.

Study Design: Eleven pediatric and family medicine practices, previously control sites from a randomized controlled cluster trial, with ≥50 adolescent patients participated. The 4 Pillars™ Program was the foundation of the intervention.

The hidden societal cost of antibiotic resistance per antibiotic prescribed in the United States: an exploratory analysis.

Background: Ambulatory antibiotic prescribing contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance and increases societal costs. Here, we estimate the hidden societal cost of antibiotic resistance per antibiotic prescribed in the United States.

Methods: In an exploratory analysis, we used published data to develop point and range estimates for the hidden societal cost of antibiotic resistance (SCAR) attributable to each ambulatory antibiotic prescription in the United States.

The effect of perceived psychological stress on the immunogenicity of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in males.

Background: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for male and female recipients aged 9-26 years, and is effective in preventing HPV infection and cancer precursors. However, there is variability in immunogenicity among recipients as measured by anti-HPV geometric mean titers. In this study, we explored the effect of stress level on the immunogenicity of the HPV vaccine among college age males.

Association of State Laws and Healthcare Workers' Influenza Vaccination Rates.

State laws are being used to increase healthcare worker (HCW) influenza vaccine uptake. Approximately 40% of states have enacted such laws but their effectiveness has been infrequently studied. Data sources for this study were the 2000-2011 U.

Maintenance of Increased Childhood Influenza Vaccination Rates 1 Year After an Intervention in Primary Care Practices.

Objective: Influenza vaccination rates among some groups of children remain below the Healthy People 2020 goal of 70%. Multistrategy interventions to increase childhood influenza vaccination have not been evaluated recently.

Methods: Twenty pediatric and family medicine practices were randomly assigned to receive the intervention in either year 1 or year 2.

Are plasma mineral levels related to antibody response to influenza vaccination in older adults?

Introduction: An effective immune response to vaccination may be related to nutritional status. This study examined the association of plasma mineral levels with hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers produced in response to influenza vaccine in older adults.

Methods: Prior to (Day 0) and 21 (range = 19-28) days after receiving the 2013-14 influenza vaccine, 109 adults ages 51-81 years, provided blood samples.

Reducing Racial Disparities in Influenza Vaccination Among Children With Asthma.

Introduction: A multifaceted intervention to raise influenza vaccination rates was tested among children with asthma.

Methods: In a pre/post study design, 18 primary care practices implemented the 4 Pillars Immunization Toolkit along with other strategies. The primary outcome was the difference in influenza vaccination rates at each practice among children with asthma between the baseline year (before the intervention) and at the end of year 2 (after the intervention), both overall and by race (White vs.

Do vitamin D levels affect antibody titers produced in response to HPV vaccine?

In addition to its well-known effects on bone metabolism, vitamin D is an immunomodulating hormone. Serum vitamin D levels in males 18-25 years were measured at baseline, and HPV antibody titers were measured one month following the third quadrivalent HPV vaccine dose. Vitamin D levels were ≥ 30 ng/ml (normal) in 60 males and <30 ng/ml (low) in 113 males.

Randomized, controlled trial of high-dose influenza vaccine among frail residents of long-term care facilities.

Background: Despite vaccination, residents of long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) remain at high risk of influenza-related morbidity and mortality. More-effective vaccine options for this population are needed.

Methods: We conducted a single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial comparing high-dose (HD) to standard-dose (SD) inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) in 205 frail, elderly residents of LTCFs during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 influenza seasons.

Using Facebook™ to Recruit College-Age Men for a Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Trial.

College-age men were recruited using Facebook™ advertisements (ads), as well as traditional recruitment methods, for a randomized controlled trial to compare immunological responses to human papillomavirus vaccine administered in two dosing schedules. This study compares enrollees who were recruited through traditional recruitment methods versus social networking sites (SNSs), including Facebook. Potential participants were recruited using flyers posted on and off campus(es), and distributed at health fairs, classes, sporting, and other campus events; e-mails to students and student organizations; and print advertisements in student newspapers and on city buses.

Increasing childhood influenza vaccination: a cluster randomized trial.

Background: Since the 2008 inception of universal childhood influenza vaccination, national rates have risen more dramatically among younger children than older children and reported rates across racial/ethnic groups are inconsistent. Interventions may be needed to address age and racial disparities to achieve the recommended childhood influenza vaccination target of 70%.

Purpose: To evaluate an intervention to increase childhood influenza vaccination across age and racial groups.

Cluster randomized trial of a toolkit and early vaccine delivery to improve childhood influenza vaccination rates in primary care.

Purpose: To increase childhood influenza vaccination rates using a toolkit and early vaccine delivery in a randomized cluster trial.

Methods: Twenty primary care practices treating children (range for n=536-8183) were randomly assigned to Intervention and Control arms to test the effectiveness of an evidence-based practice improvement toolkit (4 Pillars Toolkit) and early vaccine supplies for use among disadvantaged children on influenza vaccination rates among children 6 months-18 years. Follow-up staff meetings and surveys were used to assess use and acceptability of the intervention strategies in the Intervention arm.

Influence of pre-existing hemagglutination inhibition titers against historical influenza strains on antibody response to inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine in adults 50-80 years of age.

Background: Concerns about influenza vaccine effectiveness in older adults and the role of influenza strains encountered earlier in life led to this study.

Methods: Antibody responses against antigens in the 2011-2012 influenza vaccine at 21 days post vaccination were analyzed in 264 individuals aged 50-80 years. At Days 0 and 21, sera were tested for hemagglutination-inhibition titers against these vaccine strains and at Day 0 against a panel of 15 historical seasonal strains.

Randomized controlled trial of two dosing schedules for human papillomavirus vaccination among college age males.

Background: Quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, for protection against sexually transmitted HPV infection, is licensed for females and males 9-26 years on a 3-dose schedule (0, 2, and 6 months; Standard schedule). Vaccine uptake has been low and catch-up vaccination of older adolescents using an alternate dosing schedule may increase coverage. This study tested the non-inferiority of the immunogenicity of an alternate dosing schedule (0, 2, 12 months) among college age males.

Factors associated with in-office influenza vaccination by U.S. pediatric providers.

Background: In the United States, influenza vaccination is recommended for all children 6 months and older; however, vaccination rates are below target levels. A broad sample of U.S.

Hospital policies, state laws, and healthcare worker influenza vaccination rates.

This study used hierarchical linear modeling to determine the relative contribution of hospital policies and state laws to healthcare worker (HCW) influenza vaccination rates. Hospital mandates with consequences for noncompliance and race were associated with 3%-12% increases in HCW vaccination; state laws were not significantly related to vaccination rates.

Impact of hospital policies on health care workers' influenza vaccination rates.

Background: Overall annual influenza vaccination rate has slowly increased among health care workers but still remains below the national goal of 90%.

Methods: To compare hospitals that mandate annual health care worker (HCW) influenza vaccination with and without consequences for noncompliance, a 34-item survey was mailed to an infection control professional in 964 hospitals across the United States in 4 waves. Respondents were grouped by presence of a hospital policy that required annual influenza vaccination of HCWs with and without consequences for noncompliance.