Adequate immune responses to vaccines after chemotherapy for leukaemia diagnosed in childhood.

Aim: The survival rate after treatment for childhood leukaemia has greatly improved, but could result in protracted immune deficiency. This study examined the immune status of children after chemotherapy and evaluated their responses to immunisation.

Methods: Subjects who had completed their treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at The Children's Hospital Reykjavík, Iceland, during 2011-2020 had blood drawn and were then immunised for influenza in October 2021.

Clinical and Socioeconomic Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Iceland.

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a very common pathogen, causes variable disease severity. In addition to considerable clinical burden on children, their families and healthcare facilities, RSV infections in children also carry significant direct and indirect socioeconomic burden.

Methods: We analyzed data from 5 consecutive RSV seasons (2015-2020) and used virologically confirmed RSV infections and age <5 years as case definition.

Public opinion on childhood immunisations in Iceland.

Introduction: In recent years, vaccine preventable diseases such as measles and pertussis have been re-emerging in Western countries, maybe because of decreasing participation in childhood vaccination programs in some countries. There is clear evidence for vaccine efficacy and the risk of adverse effects is low. This needs to be communicated to the general public.