Monitoring Public Health Through a Comprehensive Primary Care Database in the Netherlands: Overview of the Nivel Syndromic Surveillance System.

Background: Syndromic surveillance systems are crucial for the monitoring of population health and the early detection of emerging health problems. Internationally, there are numerous established systems reporting on different types of data. In the Netherlands, the Nivel syndromic surveillance system provides real-time monitoring on all diseases and symptoms presented in general practice.

Economic Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Children Under 5 Years of Age Attending Primary Care in Italy: A Prospective Cohort Study in Two Regions.

Background: Accurate cost estimates of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in primary care are limited, despite the majority of cases being managed in this setting. This study aims to estimate healthcare costs for children with RSV in primary care and the related costs of parental work absence.

Methods: Children < 5 years of age with symptoms of acute respiratory infections were recruited via primary care paediatricians in two Italian regions for a prospective cohort study on the RSV burden in primary care, during the 2019/2020 winter.

Burden of RSV infections among young children in primary care: a prospective cohort study in five European countries (2021-23).

Background: The majority of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in young children are managed in primary care, however, the disease burden in this setting remains poorly defined.

Methods: We did a prospective cohort study in primary care settings in Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK during the RSV seasons of 2020-21 (UK only; from Jan 1, 2021), 2021-22, and 2022-23. Children aged younger than 5 years presenting to their general practitioner or primary care paediatrician with symptoms of an acute respiratory tract infection were eligible for RSV testing.

A Missed Opportunity? Exploring Changes in Influenza Vaccination Coverage During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Data From 12 Countries Worldwide.

Background: Vaccination is a key measure in influenza control, yet global coverage rates remain low, although previous research reported an increase in influenza vaccination coverage rates (VCR) after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to assess whether these changes were sustained over time by analyzing VCR trends from 2012 to 2023 in the countries included in the FluCov project.

Methods: Data on influenza VCR from 2012 to 2023 for different age and risk groups were extracted from national health organizations and international sources for countries included in the FluCov project.

Disease Burden of RSV Infections and Bronchiolitis in Young Children (< 5 Years) in Primary Care and Emergency Departments: A Systematic Literature Review.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute respiratory infections in young children. Limited data are available on RSV disease burden in primary care and emergency departments (EDs). This review synthesizes the evidence on population-based incidence rates of RSV infections in young children (< 5 years) in primary care and EDs.