Assessment of varicella vaccine effectiveness in Germany: a time-series approach.

A multivariate time-series regression model was developed in order to describe the 2005-2008 age-specific time-course of varicella sentinel surveillance data following the introduction of a varicella childhood vaccination programme in Germany. This ecological approach allows the assessment of vaccine effectiveness under field conditions by relating vaccine coverage in cohorts of 24-month-old children to the mean number of cases per reporting unit in the sentinel network. For the 1-2 years age group, which is directly affected by the vaccination programme, a one-dose vaccine effectiveness of 83·2% (95% CI 80·2-85·7) was estimated which corresponds to previous approaches assessing varicella vaccine effectiveness in the field in the USA.

[Immunisation coverage in the adult workforce 2003. Utilisation of routine occupational health checks to ascertain vaccination coverage in employees]. / Initiativen zur Steigerung der Impfbereitschaft in Schleswig-Holstein - Impfschutz bei Erwachsenen in der Arbeitswelt 2003Nutzung von arbeitsmedizinischen Routineuntersuchungen zur Erfassung von Impfraten unter Beschäftigten.

The immunisation campaign from February to December 2003 in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein focused for the first time on the immunisation coverage in adults in the workforce. During routine occupational health checks vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A and B (according to vaccination certificates) as well as vaccinations carried out on site (active duty) were documented. We received 12,770 anonymous and completed questionnaires including 4167 from healthcare workers (with immunisation certificate 11,260 and 3776, respectively). The campaign was useful in several respects: (1) For the first time data on the immunisation coverage of the active work-force became available for Schleswig-Holstein. (2) The acceptance of vaccinations by the employees was increased in general and also influenced family members. (3) Occupational health physicians can close important gaps in immunisation coverage. The results show that (1) immunisation coverage was higher in women, young adults and health-care workers and (2) if a vaccine is available, then acceptance is also present. Within the joint effort of the continued regional vaccination campaign waged since 1999, the previous focus of the campaign's activities (children and adolescents) has now had a positive impact on vaccination coverage in the age groups under 20 years and up to 29 years.

[Vaccination status of children and adolescents in Schleswig-Holstein. Principles and initial experiences of an assessment throughout the district]. / Durchimpfungsgrad der Kinder und Jugendlichen in Schleswig-Holstein. Grundlagen und erste Erfahrungen der landesweiten Auswertung.

Isolated ("punctual") spot checks in individual cities or regions of Federal Lands cannot result in a convincing pattern of the degree of vaccination achieved. In January 1988 the Land of Slesvig-Holstein started the statistical recording of complete protection by vaccination in accordance with age (preventive health care for children and adolescents by protective vaccination). The Medical Services for Juveniles carry out this work which also includes counselling, for four age groups (5 to 14 years). Statistics are compiled on the basis of documents proving the vaccination. Achievement of complete protection is recorded, including regular and delayed results for measles, mumps, BCG, pertussis and rubella. Such long-term statistics on results can be obtained only if all the work teams of youth doctors cooperate and if they are properly motivated to determine the state of health of the population.