Influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage in pregnancy in Australia, 2016-2021.

Vaccination in pregnancy is the best strategy to reduce complications from influenza or pertussis infection in infants who are too young to be protected directly from vaccination. Pregnant women are also at risk of influenza complications preventable through antenatal vaccination. Both vaccines are funded under the National Immunisation Program for pregnant women in Australia, but coverage is not routinely reported nationally. We reviewed all reported Australian maternal influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage data for the period 2016-2021, to identify gaps and information needs. Maternal influenza vaccine coverage was suboptimal at < 58% for 2016-2018, with higher coverage of 62-75% reported in two states (Victoria and Western Australia) for 2019-2021. Maternal pertussis vaccine coverage from 2016 was generally higher than for influenza at > 70%, with the highest jurisdictional coverage of 89% reported in Western Australia in 2020. Vaccination rates were often suboptimal among First Nations pregnant women and up to 20% lower than among non-First Nations Australian women; while data were limited, coverage was low among culturally and linguistically diverse women and among women of lower socio-economic status. Jurisdictional perinatal data collections were the best source of information on antenatal vaccine coverage but were only available for a minority of the population; a nationally consistent systematic approach is lacking. Timely and comprehensive data are needed to provide feedback to improve maternal vaccination coverage, particularly among groups with higher risk and/or low uptake, and as new vaccines are recommended, including COVID-19 vaccination.

Rotavirus specific maternal antibodies and immune response to RV3-BB rotavirus vaccine in central java and yogyakarta, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Placental or breast milk maternal antibodies can potentially reduce oral rotavirus vaccine efficacy in developing countries. We aimed to examine the relationship between the level of rotavirus specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and neutralising antibodies (NA) in colostrum and breast milk and cord IgG, with cumulative vaccine take following one and three doses of oral RV3-BB rotavirus vaccine within a Phase IIb trial in Indonesia. METHODS: 196 infants received three doses of RV3-BB in a randomized, double-blinded trial, using a neonatal schedule (first dose at 0-5 days of age, n = 61), an infant schedule (first dose at ~ 8 weeks of age, n = 67) or placebo (n = 68). Rotavirus specific IgA and NA in colostrum and breast milk, rotavirus specific cord IgG, Serum IgA and stool excretion were measured. RESULTS: There was little evidence of an association between IgA in colostrum or breast milk and cumulative vaccine take after three doses in the neonatal or infant groups. In the neonatal group, there was a negative association between IgG titre in cord blood and cumulative vaccine take (odds ratio [OR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-1.00; p = 0.03) and serum IgA response (OR 0.94; 95%CI 0.89-0.99; p = 0.02) after one dose of vaccine, which were not evident after three doses in the neonatal or infant groups. CONCLUSIONS: Amongst Indonesian infants we did not find an association between IgA in colostrum or breast milk and vaccine take after 3 doses of RV3-BB vaccine. Maternal rotavirus antibodies in breast milk appear to have minimal impact on RV3-BB vaccine take when administered with a short delay in breast-feeding in settings with a high rotavirus disease burden.

Parental Immunisation Needs and Attitudes Survey in paediatric hospital clinics and community maternal and child health centres in Melbourne, Australia.

AIM: Despite Australia's high vaccination rates, an estimated 3.3% of children are under-vaccinated due to vaccine refusal and the proportion of parents with concerns is unclear. Amongst Australian parents, we aimed to determine the prevalence of vaccine concerns, resources and health-care providers (HCPs) accessed and satisfaction with these resources in two different settings. We also aimed to identify relationships between the level of vaccine concern, socio-economic status and vaccine uptake. METHODS: Parents of children under 5 years attending general paediatric clinics in a tertiary paediatric hospital (n = 301/398, 76%) and children under 19 months attending community maternal child health centres (n = 311/391, 81%) completed the survey. Vaccination status was obtained from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. RESULTS: Despite high support for vaccination (98%, confidence interval (CI) 97-99), 43% of parents reported vaccine concerns (CI 40-47) including the number of vaccines given in the first 2 years (25%, CI 22 to 29), vaccine ingredients (22%, CI 19-25), allergies (18%, CI 15-21), weakening of the immune system (17%, CI 14-20) and autism (11%, CI 8-13). HCPs were the most commonly accessed and trusted information source. In all, 23% of parents reported insufficient knowledge to make good vaccination decisions (CI 20-26). There was little evidence of an association between parental vaccine acceptance or socio-economic status and vaccination status. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high support for vaccines, nearly half of Australian parents have some concerns and a quarter lack vaccine decision-making confidence regarding childhood vaccines. Parents frequently access and report high trust in HCPs, who are best placed to address parental vaccine concerns through provision of clear information, using effective communication strategies. Further research in more highly hesitant populations is required to determine the relationship between the level and nature of vaccination concerns and vaccine uptake.

Medication prescribed by Australian paediatricians: Psychotropics predominate.

AIM: The aims of this study were to examine: (i) medications prescribed by Australian general and community paediatricians, (ii) predictors of prescribing (child age, gender) and (iii) changes in medication prescription between 2008 and 2013. METHODS: Two patient-level practice national audits were conducted by the Australian Paediatric Research Network in 2008 and 2013. General and community paediatricians in outpatient clinics and private practices recorded demographic data, diagnoses and medications prescribed for all patients seen over a 2-week period. RESULTS: In 2008, 199 paediatricians submitted data on 8345 consultations, and in 2013, 180 paediatricians submitted data on 7102 consultations. The most frequently prescribed drug class was psychotropics, prescribed for 46.8% of patients with developmental-behavioural/mental health (DB/MH) diagnoses in 2008 and 49.8% in 2013 (P = 0.015). Within this class, in 2013, the stimulants were prescribed in 35.3% of DB/MH consultations, antidepressants in 7.8% and antipsychotics in 5.6%. The next most frequently prescribed drug classes were laxatives (4.6% of all consultations in 2013), asthma preventers (4.1%), melatonin (3.7%), asthma relievers (2.6%) and proton-pump inhibitors (2.2%), topical corticosteroids (1.8%) and antihistamines (1.4%). Medication prescription was predicted by patient age (P < 0.001, both audits) and male gender (P < 0.01, both audits) but not by measured prescriber variables. The rates of prescribing of psychotropics, melatonin, laxatives and enuresis medications increased between 2008 and 2013. CONCLUSIONS: Australian paediatricians prescribe mostly psychotropic medications, and the amount prescribed appears to be increasing. Paediatricians need good training and professional development in mental health diagnosis and management and the rational prescribing of psychotropic medications.

Trends in paediatric practice in Australia: 2008 and 2013 national audits from the Australian Paediatric Research Network.

AIM: In adult medicine, rates of investigation and prescribing appear to be increasing. Such information is lacking for paediatrics. We audited Australian paediatricians' practices in 2013 to determine changes since 2008 in: (i) conditions seen; (ii) consultation duration; (iii) imaging and pathology ordered; and (iv) prescribing. METHODS: This is a patient-level prospective audit of paediatricians' secondary care practice. Between November and December 2013, members of the Australian Paediatric Research Network were invited to complete standardised forms for 100 consecutive patients or all patients seen over 2 weeks, whichever was completed first. MAIN MEASURES: diagnoses, consultation duration, pathology and/or imaging investigations ordered, rate of medication prescription. ANALYSES: hierarchical linear modelling clustered at the paediatrician level. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty paediatricians (48% of those eligible) contributed 7102 consultations. The proportion of developmental/behavioural conditions rose from 48% (SD 31%) to 60% (SD 30%) in new and 54% (SD 28%) to 66% (SD 28%) in review consultations in 2013 compared with 2008. More paediatricians reported diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (39-56%, P = 0.002), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (47-55%, P = 0.05) and intellectual disability (18-36%, P = 0.001) in first consultations. Mean consultation duration and pathology/imaging ordering rates were stable. Prescribing rates increased from 39 to 45% of consultations for the top 10 new diagnoses and from 57 to 68% of consultations for the top 10 review diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatricians are seeing more children with developmental-behavioural conditions, prescribing more and demonstrating wide variation in their practice. The latter suggests both over- and under-treatment.

Management of food allergy: a survey of Australian paediatricians.

AIM: The prevalence of Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy in the developed world is increasing, overwhelming tertiary allergy services. Alternative models of care are required. General paediatricians could provide this care but may require further training to do so. We aimed to determine Australian general paediatricians': (i) knowledge and management of IgE-mediated food allergy; (ii) access to and use of diagnostic services; and (iii) interest in further training. METHODS: Members of the Australian Paediatric Research Network completed an online survey in 2011/12. A case study elicited paediatrician's knowledge of diagnostic history taking, testing and key management principles. Study-designed questions assessed paediatricians' current practice, access to allergy services and interest in further training. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-eight (43%) of 390 paediatricians responded; 93 paediatricians reported managing food allergy. Diagnostic and management practices varied widely. Paediatricians had high levels of agreement (>90%) for only three of 13 questions pertaining to diagnosis and management. Only 56 (61%) correctly identified that a diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy requires a history consistent with a clinical reaction and a positive specific serum IgE antibody or skin prick test result. Reported waiting times for tertiary allergy services ranged from 5.4 (private) to 10.6 months (public). Most (91%) paediatricians expressed interest in further training. CONCLUSIONS: General paediatricians would benefit from further training if they are to practice allergy care as their diagnosis and management is often inconsistent with international guidelines. Training could be delivered online to maximise reach and uptake. If effective, such a model could relieve some of the burden experienced by Australian tertiary allergy services.