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Each year, rotavirus (RV) infection is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalisation and of nosocomially transmitted diseases in children younger than 5 years across Central European Vaccination Awareness Group (CEVAG) countries; however, inadequate surveillance systems and lack of routine RV testing still exist in most CEVAG countries, making it difficult to accurately assess the present burden of acute RV gastroenteritis in the younger population. Furthermore, routine immunisation of infants with RV vaccines has not been implemented, and no official and uniform recommendations exist in most of the countries in these territories. The present study provides CEVAG country-specific estimates of the disease burden of RV gastroenteritis among the youngest population and presents evidence-based advice on the use of RV vaccines in the region, while providing a framework for vaccination at the national level.

Introduction: Intanza(®)/IDflu(®) (Sanofi Pasteur SA, Lyon, France), a split-virion, trivalent influenza vaccine delivered by intradermal injection with a microinjection system, became available in adults 18-59 years of age (9 μg) and ≥60 years of age (15 μg) as of the 2010/2011 northern hemisphere influenza season., Methods: This study assessed the acceptability of intradermal vaccination with Intanza/IDflu in routine clinical practice in adult vaccinees and their vaccine prescribers. Vaccine prescribers and adults who had elected to be vaccinated with Intanza/IDflu during the 2010/2011 northern hemisphere influenza season were recruited to complete surveys about their opinions of influenza vaccination and their acceptance of the intradermal vaccination. Czech subjects 18-59 years of age were vaccinated with the 9 μg formulation and those ≥60 years of age with the 15 μg formulation of Intanza/IDflu. All Turkish subjects were vaccinated with the 9 μg formulation, as Intanza/IDflu 15 μg was not available in Turkey at the time the survey was conducted., Results: One thousand and twelve vaccinees and 28 vaccine prescribers in the Czech Republic, and 249 vaccinees and 15 vaccine prescribers in Turkey completed questionnaires. Overall, 96.1% of vaccinees were satisfied or very satisfied with Intanza/IDflu. The main reason for satisfaction was that the injection was considered minimally painful. Most (93.9%) vaccinees reported that they would prefer to receive the same vaccination next year. Furthermore, 95.3% of vaccine prescribers were satisfied or very satisfied with the intradermal vaccine, and 82.6% preferred intradermal over intramuscular vaccination., Conclusions: Intradermal vaccination for seasonal influenza using Intanza/IDflu is well accepted by adult vaccinees and vaccine prescribers. By providing an additional, well-accepted method, Intanza/IDflu might help increase seasonal influenza vaccination rates in adults.

Pertussis epidemiology was examined in selected Central and Eastern European countries andTurkey (CEEs) from 1945 to 2005. Epidemiology and immunisation coverage data were collected fromNational Health Departments and Epidemiology Institutes. Pertussis diagnosis was made by the World Health Organization (WHO) clinical criteria, laboratory confirmation and/or epidemiological link, except for Romania (WHO clinical case definition used). In the pre-vaccine era, pertussis incidence (except Turkey) exceeded 200/100,000 (range180-651/100,000), with 60-70% of cases occurring in pre-school children. Until 2007, a second-year booster was givenin Estonia, Lithuania and Turkey, and an additional pre-school booster elsewhere. During 1995-2005, immunisation coverage by the age of 2 years exceeded 80% (range 80-98%) and, excluding Estonia, pertussis incidence was <3/100,000. Age-specific incidence rates rose in 5-14 year olds in Poland, Estonia and the Czech Republic. Incidence rates in children <1 year of age remained unchanged. There were two age distribution patterns. In the Czech Republic and Estonia, 16% of cases occurred in pre-school children and 17% and 22% in children >15 years of age, respectively; in Romania, Turkey and Lithuania, 51%, 71% and 73%, respectively, occurred in pre-school children and <7% in children aged >15 years.Pertussis infection persists, despite high immunisation coverage. Compared with the pre-vaccine era, the age distribution changed differentially in CEEs, with an apparent shift towards older children.