Influenza-Associated Excess Mortality and Hospitalization in Germany from 1996 to 2018.

Introduction: Influenza-associated excess mortality and morbidity is commonly estimated using statistical methods. In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) uses the relative mortality distribution method (RMDM) to estimate influenza-associated excess mortality without reporting age-specific values. In order to better differentiate the distribution of the disease burden, a distinction by age is of high relevance.

Burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in Germany: a systematic review.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory infection and hospitalizations among infants, young children, and the elderly. This systematic literature review aimed to summarize the epidemiological and economic burden estimates of RSV infection at any age in Germany.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search to identify full-text articles published from 2003 to 2023 and reporting data on the epidemiological or economic burden of RSV in Germany.

Respiratory syncytial virus immunization patterns in Germany, 2015-2020.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants and young children worldwide. Using routine statutory health insurance claims data including patients from all regions of Germany, we investigated the health-care resource use and costs associated with RSV prophylaxis with palivizumab in Germany. In the database, infants from the birth cohorts 2015-2019 eligible for palivizumab immunization were identified using codes of the 10 revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

Modelling the Public Health Impact of MenACWY and MenC Adolescent Vaccination Strategies in Germany.

Introduction: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) causes significant mortality and long-term sequelae. This study assesses the potential public health impact of adolescent vaccination strategies employing MenACWY and MenC vaccines in Germany, where the existing meningococcal immunisation programme predominantly involves MenC administration in toddlers.

Methods: A dynamic transmission model was developed to simulate the carriage of five meningococcal serogroup compartments (AY/B/C/W/Other) from 2019 until 2060 within 1-year age groups from 0 to 99 years of age.

Inpatient burden of respiratory syncytial virus in children ≤2 years of age in Germany: A retrospective analysis of nationwide hospitalization data, 2019-2022.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes respiratory tract disease in seasonal waves, primarily in infants and young children. This study aims to quantify the number of RSV-related hospitalizations in children ≤2 years of age and to determine corresponding resource use and costs in Germany.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed population-wide hospital data from the Institute for the Hospital Remuneration System (InEK) from 2019 to 2022.