Immunogenicity and safety of the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pneumococcal infections are a serious health issue associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy, effectiveness, immunogenicity, and safety of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)15 compared to other pneumococcal vaccines or no vaccination in children and adults. We identified 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Global impact of ten-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on invasive pneumococcal disease in all ages (the PSERENADE project): a global surveillance analysis.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) that are ten-valent (PCV10) and 13-valent (PCV13) became available in 2010. We evaluated their global impact on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence in all ages.

Methods: Serotype-specific IPD cases and population denominators were obtained directly from surveillance sites using PCV10 or PCV13 in their national immunisation programmes and with a primary series uptake of at least 50%.

Prevalence of Pertactin-Deficient Bordetella pertussis Isolates, Slovenia.

In Slovenia, primary acellular pertussis vaccines (ACVs) containing pertactin (PRN) were mostly used during 1999-2016; ACVs without PRN were introduced in 2017. Among 123 Bordetella pertussis strains collected during 2002-2020, a total of 48 were PRN-deficient; 44 were collected after 2017. Changes to ACVs could increase PRN-deficient B.

mRNA vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation due to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) COVID-19 during Omicron variant predominance estimated from real-world surveillance data, Slovenia, February to March 2022.

For the period of predominance of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Slovenia, February to March 2022, we estimated mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) COVID-19 using surveillance data. In the most vulnerable age group comprising individuals aged 65 years and more, VE against SARI COVID-19 was 95% (95% CI: 95-96%) for those vaccinated with three doses, in comparison to 82% (95% CI: 79-84%) for those vaccinated with two doses. Such levels of protection were maintained for at least 6 months.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections with and : findings from the National Survey of Sexual Lifestyles, Attitudes and Health, Slovenia, 2016 to 2017.

BackgroundTo inform prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), we need reliable prevalence estimates.AimOne objective of the Slovenian National Survey of Sexual Lifestyles, Attitudes and Health was to estimate the prevalence of STIs with , , and .MethodsData were collected between October 2016 and July 2017 in a probability sample of the general population aged 18-49 years.

Vaccine effectiveness against severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) COVID-19 hospitalisations estimated from real-world surveillance data, Slovenia, October 2021.

We estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe COVID-19 during October 2021, using Slovenian surveillance data. For people fully vaccinated with any vaccine in age groups 18-49, 50-64, ≥ 65 years, VE was 86% (95% CI: 79-90), 89% (85-91), and 77% (74-81). Among ≥ 65 year-olds fully vaccinated with mRNA vaccines, VE decreased from 93% (95% CI: 88-96) in those vaccinated ≤ 3 months ago to 43% (95% CI: 30-54) in those vaccinated ≥ 6 months ago, suggesting the need for early boosters.

Self-reported Sexually Transmitted Infections and Healthcare in Slovenia: Findings from the Second National Survey of Sexual Lifestyles, Attitudes and Health, 2016-2017.

Introduction: Objectives were to estimate the lifetime prevalence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and describe STIs healthcare.

Methods: Data was collected in the period 2016-2017 from a probability sample of the general population, 18-49 years old, at respondents' homes by a combination of face-to-face interviews and self-administration of more sensitive questions. Statistical methods for complex survey data were used to account for stratification, clustered sampling, and weighting.

Initial assessment of the COVID-19 vaccination's impact on case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths in people aged 80 years and older, 15 EU/EEA countries, December 2020 to May 2021.

Prioritisation of elderly people in COVID-19 vaccination campaigns aimed at reducing severe outcomes in this group. Using EU/EEA surveillance and vaccination uptake, we estimated the risk ratio of case, hospitalisation and death notifications in people 80 years and older compared with 25-59-year-olds. Highest impact was observed for full vaccination uptake 80% or higher with reductions in notification rates of cases up to 65% (IRR: 0.

Enhanced national surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) within COVID-19 surveillance, Slovenia, weeks 13 to 37 2021.

We monitored trends of severe COVID-19 morbidity in Slovenia during weeks 13 to 37 2021. National weekly rates of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at admission in all hospitals varied between 0.2 and 16.

Estimating the annual burden of tick-borne encephalitis to inform vaccination policy, Slovenia, 2009 to 2013.

With an annual incidence between 8 and 15 per 100,000 population in the period from 2009 to 2013, Slovenia has one of the highest notified incidences of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Europe. TBE vaccination coverage remains at about 7.3%.

Tick-borne encephalitis associated with consumption of raw goat milk, Slovenia, 2012.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) developed in 3 persons in Slovenia who drank raw milk; a fourth person, who had been vaccinated against TBE, remained healthy. TBE virus RNA was detected in serum and milk of the source goat. Persons in TBE-endemic areas should be encouraged to drink only boiled/pasteurized milk and to be vaccinated.

Vaccination and tick-borne encephalitis, central Europe.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a substantial public health problem in many parts of Europe and Asia. To assess the effect of increasing TBE vaccination coverage in Austria, we compared incidence rates over 40 years for highly TBE-endemic countries of central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Austria). For all 3 countries we found extensive annual and longer range fluctuations and shifts in distribution of patient ages, suggesting major variations in the complex interplay of factors influencing risk for exposure to TBE virus.

High burden of tick-borne encephalitis in Slovenia--challenge for vaccination policy.

Slovenia is one of the countries with the highest reported incidence rates of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Vaccination uptake is low, estimated to be 12.4%.

Low coverage and predictors of vaccination uptake against tick-borne encephalitis in Slovenia.

Background: Although vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) was introduced in 1986, Slovenia remains one of the countries with the highest reported incidence rates. For exposed occupationally or during education/training, vaccination is reimbursed by employer or within mandatory health insurance, while others have to pay. Our aim was to obtain the first national estimate of self-reported uptake of vaccination against TBE in a probability sample of the general population aged ≥15 years and identify predictors of self-paid vaccination uptake.

Tick-borne encephalitis after vaccination: vaccine failure or misdiagnosis.

The aim of the paper is to present the results of the investigation of a series of four cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) reported from Gorenjska region in Slovenia in 2008 despite vaccination against TBE, propose surveillance case definition for TBE and classification criteria for TBE vaccine failure cases, to discuss challenges in the interpretation of TBE serology results in previously vaccinated patients and propose ascertainment procedures for vaccine failure cases. Establishing surveillance of vaccine failure cases on national and European level is essential for monitoring and evaluating the impact of immunization, evaluation of vaccine effectiveness and early warning for the need to change the vaccination schedule recommendations.

Re-emergence of pertussis in Slovenia: time to change immunization policy.

The introduction of childhood vaccination has dramatically reduced morbidity and mortality of pertussis in Slovenia. However, despite high vaccination coverage for many decades, reported incidence has increased recently, to the highest incidence of 27.5/100,000 in 2006, a 6.

Prevalence of and risk factors for self-reported sexually transmitted infections in Slovenia in 2000.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and examine the associations between self-reported STIs and sociodemographic and behavioral factors among sexually active Slovenians aged 18-49 years.

Methods: Data were collected during 1999-2001 from a probability sample of the general population at respondents' homes by a combination of face-to-face interviews and anonymous self-administered questionnaires. Statistical methods for complex survey data were used to account for stratification, clustered sampling, and weighing.