Defining and identifying the critical elements of operational readiness for public health emergency events: a rapid scoping review.

Introduction: COVID-19 showed that countries must strengthen their operational readiness (OPR) capabilities to respond to an imminent pandemic threat rapidly and proactively. We conducted a rapid scoping evidence review to understand the definition and critical elements of OPR against five core sub-systems of a new framework to strengthen the global architecture for Health Emergency Preparedness Response and Resilience (HEPR).

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science, targeted repositories, websites, and grey literature databases for publications between 1 January 2010 and 29 September 2021 in English, German, French or Afrikaans.

Strengthening global health security by embedding the International Health Regulations requirements into national health systems.

The International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, as the overarching instrument for global health security, are designed to prevent and cope with major international public health threats. But poor implementation in countries hampers their effectiveness. In the wake of a number of major international health crises, such as the 2014 Ebola and 2016 Zika outbreaks, and the findings of a number of high-level assessments of the global response to these crises, it has become clear that there is a need for more joined-up thinking between health system strengthening activities and health security efforts for prevention, alert and response.

Challenges of maintaining polio-free status of the European Region.

Background: The European region, certified as polio free in 2002, had recent wild poliovirus (WPV) introductions, resulting in a major outbreak in Central Asian countries and Russia in 2010 and in current widespread WPV type 1 circulation in Israel, which endangered the polio-free status of the region.

Methods: We assessed the data on the major determinants of poliovirus transmission risk (population immunity, surveillance, and outbreak preparedness) and reviewed current threats and measures implemented in response to recent WPV introductions.

Results: Despite high regional vaccination coverage and functioning surveillance, several countries in the region are at high or intermediate risk of poliovirus transmission.

Risk factors for low vaccination coverage among Roma children in disadvantaged settlements in Belgrade, Serbia.

Background: Full vaccination coverage for children under 59 months of age in Serbia is over 90%. This study assesses vaccination coverage and examines its association with birth registration among Roma children who resided in disadvantaged settlements in Belgrade, Serbia.

Methods: The First Roma Health and Nutrition Survey in Belgrade settlements, 2009, was conducted among households of 468 Roma children between the ages of 6-59 months.

Supplementary immunization activities to achieve measles elimination: experience of the European Region.

Background: Supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) using measles-containing vaccine (MCV) have had a substantial impact on reducing mortality associated with measles worldwide.

Methods: To assess impact of SIAs on measles incidence in the World Health Organization European Region and their role at the final stages of measles elimination efforts in Europe, we reviewed information on SIAs, measles surveillance, and routine vaccination coverage during 2000-2009.

Results: During 2000-2009, >57 million persons received MCV through SIAs in 16 countries.

What will it take to achieve measles elimination in the World Health Organization European Region: progress from 2003-2009 and essential accelerated actions.

Background: The Member States of the European Region (EUR) of the World Health Organization (WHO) have made great progress towards achieving the goal of measles elimination by 2010.

Methods: Measles surveillance and vaccine coverage data from 2003-2009 reported to WHO were analyzed. A review of feasibility of reaching the elimination goal by the 2010 target date was conducted in 2009.

Rotavirus burden among children in the newly independent states of the former union of soviet socialist republics: literature review and first-year results from the rotavirus surveillance network.

Background: Data on rotavirus burden among children in the 15 newly independent states of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, particularly contemporary data from poorer countries, are not widely available. These data are desired by policy makers to assess the value of rotavirus vaccination, especially since the GAVI Alliance approved financial support for the region's eligible countries. The Rotavirus Surveillance Network was established to provide these data.

Vaccine safety controversies and the future of vaccination programs.

In the years following the hepatitis B vaccination/multiple sclerosis controversy, a number of new issues regarding vaccine safety have been raised, in some cases leading to more debate and confusion. Against this background, an international group of experts was convened to review the current points of view concerning the use of thimerosal as a preservative and its potential risks; the suggested link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and acute lymphoblastic leukemia; the alleged association between aluminum-containing vaccines/macrophagic myofasciitis and general systemic complaints; a possible link between vaccination and autoimmune pathology; and a hypothetical link between measles-mumps-rubella vaccination and autism. At present, there are no data to conclude that childhood vaccines, and in particular hepatitis B vaccine, pose a serious health risk or justify a change in current immunization practice.

Measles-rubella mass immunization campaign in Albania, November 2000.

In 2000, Albania resolved to eliminate measles by 2007 by use of a four-step program: by conducting a "catch-up" vaccination campaign for all children aged 1-14 years, achieving and sustaining high coverage (>/=95%) among children aged 1 year with the first dose of a measles-containing vaccine, by introducing a routine second dose of measles-containing vaccine for children at age 5 years, and by improving measles surveillance. This catch-up campaign took place in November 2000: 867,000 doses of measles-rubella vaccine were administered for an estimated coverage of 99%. In all, 231 campaign-related adverse events were reported: syncope, 206; allergic reactions, 10; fever, 8; encephalitis/encephalopathy, 2; and aseptic meningitis, seizures, Guillain-Barré syndrome, anaphylaxis, and arthralgia, 1 each.

Measles and rubella in the World Health Organization European region: diversity creates challenges.

Since 1984, the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region has had targets for reducing the burden of a number of communicable diseases. While some countries have already met the targets for interrupting indigenous measles transmission and for reducing the incidence of congenital rubella syndrome to <1 case per 100,000 births, most have not. The cultural and economic diversity of the region present a number of challenges that must be overcome before the regional targets are met.

Combined hepatitis B vaccines.

The status and likely impact of existing and potential new combined hepatitis B vaccines were broadly considered at the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) meeting in Malta, October 2001. The currently available and/or licensed combined hepatitis B vaccines in Europe and the prospects for further such vaccines were reviewed. Data on the safety, immunogenicity, and European licensing status and availability of haxavalent vaccines combining hepatitis B (HepB), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (acellular) (DTPa), and inactivated poliovirus (IPV) antigens were presented.