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Riccò M, Vezzosi L, Balzarini F, Gualerzi G, Ranzieri S, Khamisy-Farah R, Bragazzi NL. Vaccines are underused in pregnancy: what about knowledge, attitudes and practices of providers? ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:55-62. [PMID: 32275268 PMCID: PMC7975891 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-s.9442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. To investigate actual knowledge of official recommendations towards seasonal influenza (SID), and Tetanus-diphtheria acellular-pertussis (Tdap) vaccines in obstetrics/gynecologists (OBGYN). Methods. PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) among case controls, cross-sectional studies, either questionnaire or laboratory exams based. Results. A total of 6 studies met inclusion criteria, including 1323 OBGYN from 5 different countries. Overall, around 99% of sampled professionals were aware that official recommendations towards SID in pregnancy do exist, compared to 92% for Tdap, with significant heterogeneity (I2 > 95%, p < 0.001). Concerns about vaccine safety was reported by 10% of respondents for Tdap, and by 6.0% for SID, but again available studies were substantially heterogenous (I2 = 86.7% and 86.0%, p < 0.001). Eventually, 93% of respondents actively recommended SID in pregnancy, compared to 88% for Tdap (I2 98.8% and I2 95.9%, respectively p < 0.001). The evidence of significant publication bias was initially subjectively identified from the funnel plot, and then objectively confirmed through the regression test for all analyses. Conclusions. These results suggest an appropriated understanding of official recommendation among sampled OBGYN, with high shares of professionals actively promoting vaccination practices among their patients. Despite the high heterogeneity and the significant publication bias we identified, our results also hint towards extensive knowledge gaps of OBGYN, and particularly regarding unmotivated concerns about vaccine safety. As a consequence, appropriate information and formation campaigns should be appropriately tailored. (www.actabiomedica.it)
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Azienda USL di Reggio EmiliaV.le Amendola n.2 - 42122 REServizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL)Dip. di Prevenzione.
| | - Luigi Vezzosi
- Agenzia di Tutela della Salute (ATS) della Val Padana; Via Toscani n.1; Mantova (MN), Italy.
| | - Federica Balzarini
- University "Vita e Salute", San Raffaele Hospital; Via Olgettina n. 58, 20132; Milan (MI), Italy.
| | - Giovanni Gualerzi
- University of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine; Via Gramsci n.14, 43123; Parma (PR), Italy.
| | - Silvia Ranzieri
- University of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Occupational Medicine; Via Gramsci n.14, 43123; Parma (PR), Italy.
| | - Rola Khamisy-Farah
- Clalit Health Service, Akko, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of York, Toronto (ON), Canada.
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Colucci ME, Affanni P, Cantarelli A, Caruso L, Bracchi MT, Capobianco E, Zoni R, Paini G, Odone A, Mohieldin Mahgoub Ibrahim MM, Veronesi L. Influenza vaccine effectiveness in children: a retrospective study on eight post-pandemic seasons with trivalent inactivated vaccine. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:63-70. [PMID: 32275269 PMCID: PMC7975907 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-s.9424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background and aim of the work: The global burden of disease attributable to seasonal influenza virus in children is difficult to quantify. Children with chronic medical conditions and healthy children may experience severe or fatal complications. Aim of the study was to estimate the influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in a cohort of outpatient children. Methods: From 2010 to 2018, a Pediatrician of Parma from the InfluNet network of Emilia-Romagna Region, performed nasal/throat swabs on every child with Influenza-like illness at least 14 days from the vaccination with trivalent vaccine. VE estimates against influenza season, virus type and subtype and age group were evaluated using a test-negative design. Results: 2,480 swabs were performed. The 57.6% of the analyzed swabs were positive for influenza viruses. Type A (57%) and type B viruses (43%) co-circulated. The 37.1% of type A viruses belonged to subtype A(H3N2), 19.4% to subtype A(H1N1)pdm09. The subtype A(H3N2) was prevalent among children up to 23 months (42.4%) while the type B in the 2-4 (40.7%) and 5-16 year old age groups (49.4%). Overall, 19.9% of the children were vaccinated. The highest prevalence of vaccinated subjects was found in children aged 5-16 (30.5%). The VE against subtype A(H1N1)pdm09 was 63% (95%CI 42.6-76.0), against type B 27.5% (95%CI 7.9-42.9) and against subtype A(H3N2) -14.3% (95%CI - 46.0-10.7). Conclusions: Our findings represent a useful contribution to the ongoing debate about the appropriateness of including influenza vaccination for healthy children, 6 months and older, in the updating National Vaccine Prevention Plan (PNPV).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Affanni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma.
| | | | - Luca Caruso
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma.
| | | | | | - Roberta Zoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma.
| | - Giulia Paini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma.
| | - Anna Odone
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan.
| | | | - Licia Veronesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma.
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Bucci D, Rossi D, Croci R, Bellini L, Bonaldi F, Capraro M, Frascella B, Gaetti G, Granata L, Solla D, Stirparo G, Bizzarro A, Bordin G, Odone A, Capolongo S, Pasquarella C, Pelissero G, Signorelli C. The campaign "This Is Public Health" in Italy, set up by a team of Public Health Schools in Northern Italy. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:171-174. [PMID: 32275286 PMCID: PMC7975906 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-s.9508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Despite the great effort to raise awareness among health promotion, nowadays Public Health policies are not often recognized as important tools. For this reason, the Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach is instrumental in tackling this information gap. In 2018, the US Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) launched an international campaign called “This is Public Health” (TIPH), whose aim was “to brand public health and raise awareness of how it affects individuals, communities and populations”. The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), in coordination with ASPPH, decided to create a European campaign to support and to reproduce the American one, by opening a challenge among the European Public Health Schools. The Schools and Programs of PH of Vita-Salute “San Raffaele” University, Milan, University of Parma, University of Pavia and Politecnico of Milan won this bid. In this “briefing on” we present a report on the Italian project for raising awareness of Public Health among general population and health care personell.
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4
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Affanni P, Colucci ME, Capobianco E, Bracchi MT, Zoni R, Viani I, Caruso L, Carlone L, Arcuri C, Veronesi L. Immunity status against tetanus in young migrants: a seroprevalence study. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:77-84. [PMID: 32275271 PMCID: PMC7975914 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-s.9438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK Thanks to the highly effective vaccine, tetanus became sporadic in high-income countries with well-established primary childhood immunization programs, but it is common in low-income countries. The migrants, leaving countries with poor immunization programs or where vaccinations have been interrupted, may represent a new risk group for tetanus in host countries. A seroprevalence study was conducted to estimate the immunological status against tetanus in young migrants without vaccination documentation. METHODS After a careful assessment by vaccination services of the Local Health Authority, all migrants recently arrived in Italy were included in the serosurvey. Titers of anti-tetanus toxoid were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Subjects were stratified by age and by WHO region. Antibody titers <0.10 IU/ml were considered to be seronegative, between 0.10 and 1.00 IU/ml as intermediate protection, and >1.00 IU/ml high protection. RESULTS From January 2004 to December 2019, 2,326 blood samples were collected. Mean age was 13.9 years with no differences between WHO regions. The percentage of the subjects without protective antibodies was 22.3%, with an intermediate level was 45.2%, with high titer was 32.5%. Among migrant coming from African and Eastern Mediterranean WHO regions, the highest percentages of seronegative titers and, at the same time, the low percentages of high protective levels were found. Titers decreased with age. CONCLUSIONS The significant proportion of seronegative migrants and the decrease of protective titers increasing age, confirm the importance of the evaluation of the immunological status to employ the appropriate vaccination strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Roberta Zoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | - Isabella Viani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | - Luca Caruso
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | | | - Carlo Arcuri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | - Licia Veronesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
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5
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Signorelli C, Priori M, Odone A, Vezzosi L, Colucci ME, Affanni P, Veronesi L, Maio T. [New challenges in vaccination policies: the role of General Practitioners]. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:135-140. [PMID: 32275278 PMCID: PMC7975910 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-s.9452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
New challenges in vaccination policies: the role of General Practitioners. The phenomenon of “Vaccine Hesintacy” and the consequent decrease in vaccination coverage with the re-ignition of some epidemic outbreaks has led Italian national and regional authorities to set a new vaccination plan (PNPV 2017-19) and even coercive measures such as the the Law n.119/2017. In addition, there have been initiatives by scientific societies also in order to increase involvement of professionals in information and education campaigns. Among the professional figures involved, the general practitioners represents the starting point from which to regain the citizen’s trust. This article assesses their important role in the implementation of vaccination policies in Italy by identifying the essential points of the campaigns carried out on their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Signorelli
- School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | | | - Anna Odone
- School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
| | | | | | - Paola Affanni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Licia Veronesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Croci R, Rossi D, Colucci ME, Odone A, Signorelli C. Trends in childhood vaccinations coverage in Lombardy Region after the National Vaccine Prevention Plan (2017-19) and the new law on mandatory vaccinations. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:71-76. [PMID: 32275270 PMCID: PMC7975904 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-s.9458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In Italy, over the last decade, the spread of vaccine hesitancy has caused a steep decrease in vaccination coverage rates, both at the national and regional level. In this study, we pool and critically analyze childhood immunization coverage rates (2011-2018) in Lombardy, Italy’s most populated region, and compare them to national trends. Overall, childhood vaccination coverage in Lombardy is slightly higher the Italian national average. In 2017, the law on mandatory vaccinations came into force, acting as a powerful tool for coverage increase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anna Odone
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan.
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Palandri L, Morgado M, Colucci ME, Affanni P, Zoni R, Mezzetta S, Bizzarro A, Veronesi L. Reorganization of Active Surveillance of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) in Emilia-Romagna, Italy: a two-step Public Health intervention. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2020; 91:85-91. [PMID: 32275272 PMCID: PMC7975913 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v91i3-s.9436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee declared in 2014 that poliovirus circulation is a public health emergency of international concern. In 2017 and 2018 Italy was classified at intermediate risk of poliovirus reintroduction based on suboptimal poliovirus surveillance. Acute flaccid paralysis active surveillance is the gold standard in the polio eradication process. The aims of this study were to investigate the causes of reduced acute flaccid paralysis case reporting in Emilia-Romagna in the last few years (step 1) and to study a public health intervention to restore an adequate level of acute flaccid paralysis surveillance in that region (step 2). METHODS In the first step a context analysis was performed by analysing the 2015-2017 Hospital Discharge Registers in Emilia-Romagna with the ICD-9-CM differential diagnosis codes for acute flaccid paralysis. Data from context analysis was then used to plan a new regional collaborative network of acute flaccid paralysis active surveillance. RESULTS The active surveillance network was, at the end of the study, composed by 49 doctors from both hospital administrations and clinical wards from 4 University Hospitals and 7 Local Health Authorities throughout the Region. In 15 months, 7 acute flaccid paralysis cases have been reported; 85,7% received a full clinical and virological investigation and 83,3% completed the 60 day's follow-up. The mean response to each e-mail was 48,5% (SD 7,5%). CONCLUSIONS In 2019, the Emilia-Romagna's active surveillance system reached the sensitivity, completeness of case investigation and follow-up required to achieve the minimum levels for certification standard surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Palandri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Mariana Morgado
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | - Maria Eugenia Colucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy. Reference Centre for Polio and AFP surveillance in Emilia-Romagna.
| | - Paola Affanni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy. Reference Centre for Polio and AFP surveillance in Emilia-Romagna.
| | - Roberta Zoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy. Reference Centre for Polio and AFP surveillance in Emilia-Romagna.
| | - Sandra Mezzetta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy. Reference Centre for Polio and AFP surveillance in Emilia-Romagna.
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8
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Veronesi L, Colucci ME, Capobianco E, Bracchi MT, Zoni R, Palandri L, Affanni P. Immunity status against poliomyelitis in young migrants: a seroprevalence study. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2019; 90:28-34. [PMID: 31517887 PMCID: PMC7233651 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v90i9-s.8700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Background and aim of the work: Recent seroprevalence studies in different population groups have shown low antibody titers against poliomyelitis, especially in young adults. This, together with the reduction of vaccination rates, could favor the reintroduction of poliovirus in long-time polio-free countries. Within the Surveillance system of acute flaccid paralysis, a prevalence study was conducted to estimate the immunological status associated with poliomyelitis in young migrants. Methods: Local Health Authority collected serum samples in young migrants, without vaccination documentation. Antibodies levels were assessed with a long incubation neutralization assay. Subjects were stratified by age and by WHO region. Seroprotection was defined by a titer equal or above 1:8 and titers > 1:2 were log-transformed and evaluated as geometric mean titers (GMTs). Results: From January 2004 to August 2017, 1138 blood samples were collected. Mean age was 13.3 years with no differences between WHO regions. The percentage of antibody titers below 1:8 was 6.0% versus poliovirus 1 (PV1), 7.7% versus poliovirus 2 (PV2) and 15% versus poliovirus 3 (PV3). The GMTs were 45.5, 29.5 and 20 towards PV1, PV2 and PV3 respectively. In each WHO region, the GMTs towards PV3 were consistently the lowest, and the Europeans showed the lowest GMTs both towards PV2 and PV3 (27.5 and 15.3 respectively). GMTs decreased with age. Conclusion: The low GMTs and the clear tendency to decrease with increasing age of the subjects, especially against to PV1, confirm the framework of attention that polio is receiving at national and international level. (www.actabiomedica.it)
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Lupi S, Stefanati A, Baldovin T, Roman A, Baldo V, Gabutti G. Assessment of seroprevalence against poliovirus among Italian adolescents and adults. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 15:677-682. [PMID: 30427738 PMCID: PMC6988879 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1547608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2002, the WHO European Region was declared polio-free. Nonetheless global eradication has not yet been completed and the reintroduction from at risk areas is still possible. This seroprevalence study evaluated samples collected from each Italian region in the 12−50 years old age range to assess protection against Poliovirus (PV) 1, 2 and 3 among subjects immunised with different vaccination schedules. 1073 samples (50.5% females) were examined. WHO standardized microneutralization assay was used. Seroprotection rates were 92.9%, 96.2% and 83.4%, for PV1, PV2 and PV3, respectively. Geometric Mean Titres (GMTs) were higher for PV2 (52.8) and PV1 (41.1) than for PV3 (21.0). Increasing the age, a decreasing trend in seropositivity was observed, in particular for PV3. The 2017–2019 Italian National Immunisation Plan emphasises, as primary objective, the maintenance of the polio-free status and strongly validates the 2 + 1 schedule in the first year of life with IPV vaccine associated with the administration of booster doses at 6 years and during the adolescence. Surveillance system and high population immunity are crucial to ensure the maintenance of polio-free status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Lupi
- a Department of Medical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Armando Stefanati
- a Department of Medical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Tatjana Baldovin
- b Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Hygiene and Public Health Unit , University of Padua , Padua , Italy
| | - Alberto Roman
- a Department of Medical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
| | - Vincenzo Baldo
- b Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Hygiene and Public Health Unit , University of Padua , Padua , Italy
| | - Giovanni Gabutti
- a Department of Medical Sciences , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy
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Nijsten DRE, Carrillo-Santisteve P, Miglietta A, Ruitenberg J, Lopalco PL. Is EU/EEA population protected from polio? Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 11:2123-31. [PMID: 25898095 PMCID: PMC4635704 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1016673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The WHO European Region has been declared polio-free since 2002. By 2010, inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) was the only polio vaccine in use in the EU/EEA for the primary vaccination of children. A systematic review of the literature on polio seroprevalence studies, complemented by the analysis of available vaccine coverage data, has been carried out with the aim of assessing the level of protection against polio in the European population. A total of 52 studies, with data from 14 out of the 31 EU/EEA countries, were included in the analysis. This systematic review shows that, overall, seroprevalence for PV1 and PV3 is high in most countries, although seroimmunity gaps have been detected in several birth cohorts. In particular, relatively low immunity status was found in some countries for individuals born in the 60's and 70's. Discrepancies between reported vaccination coverage and immunity levels have been also highlighted. Countries should make sure that their population is being vaccinated for polio to reduce the risk of local poliovirus transmission in case of importation. Moreover, assessing immunity status should be priority for those traveling to areas where wild polioviruses are still circulating.
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Affiliation(s)
- DRE Nijsten
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - A Miglietta
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Ruitenberg
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; Stockholm, Sweden
| | - PL Lopalco
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; Stockholm, Sweden
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