@article{RoseDammGreineretal.2014,
  author    = {Rose, Markus A. and Damm, Oliver and Greiner, Wolfgang and Knuf, Markus and Wutzler, Peter and Liese, Johannes G. and Kr{\"u}ger, Hagen and Wahn, Ulrich and Schaberg, Tom and Schwehm, Markus and Kochmann, Thomas F. and Eichner, Martin},
  title     = {The epidemiological impact of childhood influenza vaccination using live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in Germany: predictions of a simulation study},
  series = {BMC Infectious Diseases},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {BMC Infectious Diseases},
  number    = {40},
  issn      = {1471-2334},
  doi       = {10.1186/1471-2334-14-40},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-117563},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Background: Routine annual influenza vaccination is primarily recommended for all persons aged 60 and above and for people with underlying chronic conditions in Germany. Other countries have already adopted additional childhood influenza immunisation programmes. The objective of this study is to determine the potential epidemiological impact of implementing paediatric influenza vaccination using intranasally administered live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in Germany. Methods: A deterministic age-structured model is used to simulate the population-level impact of different vaccination strategies on the transmission dynamics of seasonal influenza in Germany. In our base-case analysis, we estimate the effects of adding a LAIV-based immunisation programme targeting children 2 to 17 years of age to the existing influenza vaccination policy. The data used in the model is based on published evidence complemented by expert opinion. Results: In our model, additional vaccination of children 2 to 17 years of age with LAIV leads to the prevention of 23.9 million influenza infections and nearly 16 million symptomatic influenza cases within 10 years. This reduction in burden of disease is not restricted to children. About one third of all adult cases can indirectly be prevented by LAIV immunisation of children. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that vaccinating children 2-17 years of age is likely associated with a significant reduction in the burden of paediatric influenza. Furthermore, annual routine childhood vaccination against seasonal influenza is expected to decrease the incidence of influenza among adults and older people due to indirect effects of herd protection. In summary, our model provides data supporting the introduction of a paediatric influenza immunisation programme in Germany.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HagemannStrengKraemeretal.2017,
  author    = {Hagemann, Christine and Streng, Andrea and Kraemer, Alexander and Liese, Johannes G.},
  title     = {Heterogeneity in coverage for measles and varicella vaccination in toddlers - analysis of factors influencing parental acceptance},
  series = {BMC Public Health},
  volume    = {17},
  journal   = {BMC Public Health},
  number    = {724},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12889-017-4725-6},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-157827},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: In 2004, routine varicella vaccination was introduced in Germany for children aged 11-14 months. Routine measles vaccination had already been introduced in 1973 for the same age group, but coverage is still too low (<95\%) in some areas to eliminate measles. The present study assessed varicella and measles vaccination coverage and determinants of parental acceptance in two study regions, situated in Northern and Southern Bavaria (Germany). Methods: From 2009 to 2011, annual cross-sectional parent surveys were performed on random samples of 600 children aged 18-36 months in the Bavarian regions of both Munich and W{\"u}rzburg. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with varicella and measles vaccination. Results: In 2009, 2010 and 2011, vaccination coverage was lower in Munich than in W{\"u}rzburg, for both varicella (Munich 53\%, 67\%, 69\% vs. W{\"u}rzburg 72\%, 81\%, 83\%) and for measles (Munich 88\%, 89\%, 91\% vs. W{\"u}rzburg 92\%, 93\%, 95\%). Recommendation by the physician was the main independent factor associated with varicella vaccination in both regions (adjusted odd ratios (OR) with 95\% confidence interval (CI): Munich OR 19.7, CI 13.6-28.6; W{\"u}rzburg OR 34.7, CI 22.6-53.2). Attendance at a childcare unit was positively associated with a higher acceptance of varicella vaccination in Munich (OR 1.5, CI 1.1-2.2). Regarding measles vaccination, attendance at a childcare unit was positively associated in both regions (Munich OR 2.0; CI 1.3-3.0; W{\"u}rzburg OR 1.8; CI 1.1-3.1), and a higher level of parental school education was negatively associated in W{\"u}rzburg (OR 0.5, CI 0.3-0.9). Conclusions: Vaccination rates differed between regions, with rates constantly higher in W{\"u}rzburg. Within each region, vaccination rates were lower for varicella than for measles. Measles vaccination status was mainly dependent upon socio-demographic factors (attendance at a childcare unit, parental school education), whereas for the more recently introduced varicella vaccination recommendation by the physician had the strongest impact. Hence, different strategies are needed to further improve vaccination rates for both diseases.},
  language  = {en}
}