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Measles-containing vaccines (MCVs) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) can prevent a large proportion of infant deaths and are recommended by international organizations for inclusion in pediatric immunization schedules. In China, MCV but not PCV is publically funded and access to vaccination may be limited among nonlocals, who are rural migrants to cities. In this study, we estimate the proportion of Shanghai children with on-time MCV and PCV administration, compare vaccination in nonlocals versus locals and assess the impact of township-level characteristics on vaccination outcomes.Data from children in the Shanghai Immunization Program Information System were linked to township-level data from the 2010 China Census. We used generalized estimating equations with logistic regression models to assess the impact of residency and township-level predictors on on-time MCV and PCV administration.Nonlocals had lower vaccination levels than locals. Compared with locals, nonlocals had 0.50 times the odds of MCV dose 1 by 9 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47, 0.53], 0.42 times the odds of MCV dose 2 by 24 months (95% CI: 0.39, 0.45), 0.37 times the odds of PCV by 9 months of age (95% CI: 0.33, 0.42) and 0.41 times the odds of PCV by 24 months of age (95% CI: 0.37, 0.45). Overall, children had less on-time MCV and PCV administration in nonlocal-majority than local-majority townships.Late vaccination negatively impacts disease control efforts in Shanghai. Nonlocals, particularly those living in nonlocal-majority townships, should especially be targeted for vaccination in order to improve disease control efforts in Shanghai.

Objective A public health workforce taxonomy was published in 2014 to provide a standardized mechanism for describing public health worker characteristics. The Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) used 7 of the taxonomy's 12 axes as a basis for its survey response choices, 3 of which are the focus of this analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative utility, reliability, and accuracy of the public health workforce taxonomy in categorizing local and state public health workers using a survey tool. This specifically included the goal of reducing the number of responses classified as "other" occupation, certification, or program area by recoding responses into taxonomy categories and determining potential missing categories for recommendation to the advisory committee that developed the taxonomy. Design Survey questions associated with the occupation, certification, and program area taxonomy axes yielded qualitative data from respondents who selected "other." The "other" responses were coded by 2 separate research teams at the University of Michigan Center of Excellence in Public Health Workforce Studies and NORC at the University of Chicago. Main outcome measures Researchers assigned taxonomy categories to all analyzable qualitative responses and assessed the percentage of PH WINS responses that could be successfully mapped to taxonomy categories. Results Between respondent self-selection and research team recoding, the public health workforce taxonomy successfully categorized 95% of occupation responses, 75% of credential responses, and 83% of program area responses. Occupational categories that may be considered for inclusion in the taxonomy in the future include disease intervention specialists and occupations associated with regulation, certification, and licensing. Conclusions The public health workforce taxonomy performed remarkably well in categorizing worker characteristics in its first use in a national survey. The analysis provides some recommendations for future taxonomy refinement.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) targeted China for measles elimination by 2012. Although China made significant progress transmission continues warranting examination of Chinas measles vaccination program. The World Health Organization recommends that children receive at least 2 doses of a measles containing vaccine (MCV) to ensure protection. In Tianjin China MCV is given in 3 doses: 8 months [measles vaccine (MV)] 18-24 months [measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)-1] and 5 years MMR-2). MMR-2 is important because of the young age for MV administration. This study describes MCV coverage assesses administration timeliness and evaluates completion of the MCV series for children living in Tianjin China. METHODS: In July 2012 immunization records were selected from Tianjins Immunization Information Management System. Records were abstracted for children born from 2004 to 2011 who were aged 8 months or older. Descriptive statistics characterized the study population and assessed timeliness and coverage for each MCV dose. RESULTS: We examined records of 205982 children living in Tianjin China. Among children who were age-appropriate for each vaccine 98.6% received MV 97.6% received MMR-1 and 76.9% received MMR-2. Of the children who were old enough to receive MMR-2 78.8% received the complete series and 71.6% were fully immunized for measles by age 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: Tianjin has high rates of MV and MMR-1 coverage with lower levels for MMR-2. Most children who completed the series did so on time. Maintaining high coverage and timely administration of MV and MMR-1 and increasing coverage of MMR-2 are necessary for China to attain the goal of national measles elimination.

Melioidosis, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a disease of the tropics that rarely occurs in the United States. Disease may occur years or decades after exposure and can appear in acute, chronic, relapsing or reactivated forms, which makes diagnosis more problematic. We

Objectives To assess the number of epidemiologists and national epidemiology capacity, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists surveyed state health departments in 2001, 2004, and 2006. This article summarizes findings of the 2006 assessment, analyzes trends in epidemiology workforce, and examines statistical associations between the number of epidemiologists and measures of capacity. Methods The on-line surveys collected information from 50 states and the District of Columbia about the number of epidemiologists employed, their training and educational background, program capacity, organizational structure, and funding sources. The State Epidemiologists and/or their designees answered the questionnaire. Results The number of epidemiologists in state health departments increased approximately 40 percent from 2001 to 2006. All programs except occupational health experienced increase in the number of epidemiologists; the greatest increase occurred in bioterrorism programs. Estimated epidemiology capacity increased in all programs except environmental health and occupational health. The Epidemiology Capacity Assessment survey indicates that state health departments need 30 percent more epidemiologists. A linear correlation existed between the number of epidemiologists and state population. Conclusions Federal emergency preparedness funding supported most of the increase in epidemiologists, which could fall as funding decreases. To function at full capacity, states need approximately one epidemiologist per 100 000 population for all program areas. Current estimates of workforce capacity need to be refined.