COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness and Digital Pandemic Surveillance in Germany (eCOV Study): Web Application-Based Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to global health systems. Efficient public health responses required a rapid and secure collection of health data to improve the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 and examine the vaccine effectiveness (VE) and drug safety of the novel COVID-19 vaccines.

Objective: This study (COVID-19 study on vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects over 16 years; eCOV study) aims to (1) evaluate the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines through a digital participatory surveillance tool and (2) assess the potential of self-reported data for monitoring key parameters of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

Feasibility Study on Menstrual Cycles With Fitbit Device (FEMFIT): Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Despite its importance to women's reproductive health and its impact on women's daily lives, the menstrual cycle, its regulation, and its impact on health remain poorly understood. As conventional clinical trials rely on infrequent in-person assessments, digital studies with wearable devices enable the collection of longitudinal subjective and objective measures.

Objective: The study aims to explore the technical feasibility of collecting combined wearable and digital questionnaire data and its potential for gaining biological insights into the menstrual cycle.

Strengthening the role of hospital leadership in infection control (LEAD-IC) - a multimodal educational intervention in German acute care hospitals.

Background: The effect of leadership support for adherence to infection control and prevention (IPC) measures has been demonstrated. To expand this support, a target group-specific educational study for chief medical officers (CMO) was implemented and its influence on IPC indicators was investigated.

Methods: A controlled cohort study was conducted between 2018 and 2019.

Participatory disease surveillance for a mass gathering - a prospective cohort study on COVID-19, Germany 2021.

Background: Mass gatherings (MGs) such as music festivals and sports events have been associated with a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. On-site research can foster knowledge of risk factors for infections and improve risk assessments and precautionary measures at future MGs. We tested a web-based participatory disease surveillance tool to detect COVID-19 infections at and after an outdoor MG by collecting self-reported COVID-19 symptoms and tests.

Decrease of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus in nosocomial infections in Germany-a prospective analysis over 10 years.

Objectives: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains an important cause of healthcare-associated infections. Here, we describe the development of methicillin-resistant isolates among nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infections in Germany between 2007 and 2016.

Methods: We analyzed data from the voluntary German national nosocomial Infection Surveillance System.

The importance of adjusting for enterococcus species when assessing the burden of vancomycin resistance: a cohort study including over 1000 cases of enterococcal bloodstream infections.

Background: Infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are on the rise worldwide. Few studies have tried to estimate the mortality burden as well as the financial burden of those infections and found that VRE are associated with increased mortality and higher hospital costs. However, it is unclear whether these worse outcomes are attributable to vancomycin resistance only or whether the enterococcal species ( or ) play an important role.

Continuous increase of vancomycin resistance in enterococci causing nosocomial infections in Germany - 10 years of surveillance.

Background: Enterococci are frequent pathogens causing nosocomial infections in Germany. Infections due to strains with vancomycin resistance are high when compared with other European states. Therefore, the study aimed to describe the recent progression of nosocomial infections due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in Germany.

Surveillance of Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Intensive Care Units (SARI).

Background: The project entitled Surveillance of Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Intensive Care Units (SARI) was initiated in Germany in 2000. In this article, we describe developments in antibiotic use and resistance rates in the participating intensive care units over the years 2001-2015.

Methods: The intensive care units supplied monthly figures on patient days, antibiotic use (in defined daily doses, DDD), and resistance data for 13 pathogens.

The effect of antibiotic use on prevalence of nosocomial vancomycin-resistant enterococci- an ecologic study.

Background: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are among the most common antimicrobial-resistant pathogens causing nosocomial infections. Although antibiotic use has been identified as a risk factor for VRE, it remains unclear which antimicrobial agents particularly facilitate VRE selection. Here, we assessed whether use of specific antimicrobial agents is independently associated with healthcare-associated (HA) VRE rates in a university hospital setting in Berlin, Germany.

Factors associated with parental acceptance of seasonal influenza vaccination for their children - A telephone survey in the adult population in Germany.

Introduction: Influenza vaccination of children with underlying chronic diseases is currently recommended in Germany, but targeting all children constitutes an alternative approach to control seasonal influenza. To inform the modelling of vaccination impact and possible communication activities, we aimed to assess among parents the acceptance of universal childhood vaccination against seasonal influenza and possible modifiers.

Methods: We conducted a telephone survey in households in Germany using random digit dialing.

Is the impact of childhood influenza vaccination less than expected: a transmission modelling study.

Background: To reduce the burden of severe influenza, most industrialized countries target specific risk-groups with influenza vaccines, e.g. the elderly or individuals with comorbidities.

Effectiveness of the 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23) against Pneumococcal Disease in the Elderly: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Routine vaccination of elderly people against pneumococcal diseases is recommended in many countries. National guidelines differ, recommending either the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), the 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) or both. Considering the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of PPV23, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the vaccine efficacy/effectiveness (VE) of PPV23 against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and pneumococcal pneumonia in adults aged ≥60 years living in industrialized countries.

Effectiveness, immunogenicity and safety of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine revaccinations in the elderly: a systematic review.

Background: In many industrialized countries routine vaccination with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV-23) is recommended to prevent pneumococcal disease in the elderly. However, vaccine-induced immunity wanes after a few years, and there are controversies around revaccination with PPSV-23. Here, we systematically assessed the effectiveness and safety of PPSV-23 revaccination.

Use of existing systematic reviews for evidence assessments in infectious disease prevention: a comparative case study.

Background: Given limited resources and time constraints, the use of existing systematic reviews (SR) for the development of evidence-based public health recommendations has become increasingly important. Recently, a five-step approach for identifying, analyzing, appraising and using existing SRs based on recent guidance by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was proposed within the Project on a Framework for Rating Evidence in Public Health (PRECEPT). However, case studies are needed to test whether this approach is useful, what challenges arise and how problems can be solved.

Hepatitis B immune status in adolescents vaccinated during infancy: A retrospective cohort study from a pediatric practice in Germany.

In Germany, vaccination of infants against hepatitis B is recommended since 1995. However, data on long-term immunity is sparse and the necessity of a booster dose remains uncertain. Aims of this study were to assess the long-term persistence of antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) after immunization during infancy and the effect of a subsequent hepatitis B booster vaccination during adolescence on anti-HBs levels.

Frequency and impact of confounding by indication and healthy vaccinee bias in observational studies assessing influenza vaccine effectiveness: a systematic review.

Background: Evidence on influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) is commonly derived from observational studies. However, these studies are prone to confounding by indication and healthy vaccinee bias. We aimed to systematically investigate these two forms of confounding/bias.

Why are older adults and individuals with underlying chronic diseases in Germany not vaccinated against flu? A population-based study.

Background: Older adults and individuals with underlying chronic diseases are at increased risk of developing influenza-related complications and are target groups for seasonal influenza vaccination in many countries. In Germany, an annual national information campaign is conducted to increase influenza vaccination uptake in the target groups. However, data are lacking on knowledge and attitudes toward influenza vaccination among older adults and those with chronic diseases.

Application of the screening method to monitor influenza vaccine effectiveness among the elderly in Germany.

Background: Elderly people are at increased risk for severe influenza illness and constitute therefore a major target-group for seasonal influenza vaccination in most industrialized countries. The aim of this study was to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) among individuals aged 60+ years over three seasons and to assess if the screening method is a suitable tool to monitor influenza VE in this particular target-group in Germany.

Methods: We identified laboratory-confirmed influenza cases aged 60+ years through the national communicable disease reporting system for seasons 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13.

Vaccines for the prevention of seasonal influenza in patients with diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of severe influenza disease; influenza vaccination for these patients is therefore recommended by the World Health Organization and several National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups. However, no systematic review has evaluated the effects of influenza vaccines for patients with diabetes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.

Influenza vaccination in patients with end-stage renal disease: systematic review and assessment of quality of evidence related to vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety.

Background: Vaccination against influenza is recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, so far, no systematic review has summarized the available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of influenza vaccination in this patient group.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and assessed the quality of evidence using the GRADE methodology.

Knowledge, attitude, and uptake related to human papillomavirus vaccination among young women in Germany recruited via a social media site.

Background: Many industrialized countries have introduced human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of young women, but vaccine uptake often remains suboptimal. This study aimed to investigate whether a social media site like Facebook is an appropriate tool to assess knowledge, attitude and uptake related to HPV vaccination in young women in Germany.

Methods: Between December 2012 and January 2013 two different targeting strategies were implemented on Facebook, providing a link to an online questionnaire.

Sexual behavior and factors associated with young age at first intercourse and HPV vaccine uptake among young women in Germany: implications for HPV vaccination policies.

Background: In Germany, immunization against human papillomaviruses (HPV) is free of charge for all females aged 12 to 17 years. Since HPV infection rates rise soon after first intercourse, immunization against HPV should be completed before sexual debut. Knowledge of country-specific data on age at first intercourse and related risk factors is important to optimize prevention of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.