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This study was aimed at assessing the anti-HBs persistence and immune memory 18–19 y after vaccination against hepatitis B in healthy individuals primed as infants or adolescents. We enrolled 405 teenagers (Group A) vaccinated as infants, and 409 young adults (Group B) vaccinated as adolescents. All vaccinees were tested for anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibodies; those found anti-HBc positive were further tested for HBsAg and HBV DNA. Eight individuals belonging to Group B were positive for anti-HBc alone, and were excluded from analysis. Individuals with anti-HBs concentration ≥ 10 mIU/ml were considered protected while those with anti-HBs concentration

Pneumococcal pneumonia has a high clinical burden in terms of morbidity, mortality and hospitalization rate, with heavy implications for worldwide health systems. In particular, higher incidence and mortality rates of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) cases, with related costs, are registered among elderly. This study aimed to an economic evaluation about the immunization with PCV13 in the adult population in Campania region, South Italy. For this purpose we performed, considering a period of 5 y, a budget impact analysis (BIA) and a cost-effectiveness analysis which considered 2 scenarios of immunization compared with lack of immunization for 2 targeted cohorts: first, the high risk subjects aged 50-79 y, and second the high risk individuals aged 50-64 y, together with all those aged 65 y. Regarding the first group, the decrease of pneumonia could give savings equal to €29,005,660, while the immunization of the second cohort could allow savings equal to €10,006,017. The economic evaluation of pneumococcal vaccine for adult groups represents an essential instrument to support health policies. This study showed that both hypothesized immunization strategies could produce savings. Obtained results support the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults. This strategy could represent a sustainable and savings-producer health policy.

Background: although the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination for the more common serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae has been demonstrated, the 13-valent vaccine (Prevenar 13®) is still offered in different ways in the Italian regional healthcare units, and in the region of campania, some local health authorities administer the vaccine free of charge whilst others practice a co-payment. Methods: we performed a budget impact analysis of the possible free administration of Prevenar 13® vaccine to all newborns in the campania region, by comparing two different delivery settings, one having an active vaccination program and another in which such program was absent. during the operation of the vaccination program, the number of expected cases with 50, 80 and 100% vaccine coverage in the popula- tion was considered. the economic advantage resulting from pneumococcal diseases deemed avoidable thanks to the vaccination was compared with the costs of the vaccination program. the analysis considered the direct costs in the 2 years after implementation of the vaccination program. costs were expressed in € euros 2010.Results: although we did not consider the benefits achievable in the 10 years following the vaccina- tion, nor the herd effects, we showed that offering anti-pneumococcal vaccination to all newborns could give economic advantages to the region, estimated as close to 1 million euros.Conclusion: the use of Prevenar 13® can be considered a greatly advantageous public health strategy....

Background: Worldwide, diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease which now appears to be substantially increasing especially in industrialized countries. In recent years important improvements have been achieved in the treatment of the disease and the prevention of complications, but adherence of health care workers to these indicators varies considerably and often the results are inadequate. Our study relates to health care services supplied to diabetics within the territory of LHA (Local Health Agency) Napoli 2 in Italian region of Campania. The results obtained from 3 district areas were then compared.Methods: The prevalence study was carried out by interviewing diabetes-affected patients (aged 18-64) in the territory examined. For each area, a representative number of patients was selected through simple casual sampling.Results: A minimal knowledge of risk factors associated with diabetes in respect to those registered at a national level, an incomplete adherence to recommended actions, a good perception of the quality of healthcare services and a good level of information were recorded from all of the 462 subjects interviewed.Conclusions: This study draws attention to the critical aspects in healthcare services supplied to diabetics. The data collected could be useful to more effective and efficient strategies of “disease management” resulting in the better allocation of resources.