Vaccine
Volume 33, Issue 3, Pages 403-486 (9 January 2015)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0264410X/33/3

Editorial
Celebrating the ACIP at 50
Pages 403-404
Alan R. Hinman, Gregory A. Poland
[No abstract]

Discussion
The history of the United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Pages 405-414
L. Reed Walton, Walter A. Orenstein, Larry K. Pickering
Abstract
The United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a federal advisory committee that develops written recommendations for use of vaccines licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the U.S. civilian population. Vaccine development and disease outbreaks contributed to the need for a systematized, science-based, formal mechanism for establishing national immunization policy in this country. Formed in 1964, the ACIP was charged with this role. The committee has undergone significant changes in structure and operational activities during its 50-year history. The ACIP works closely with many liaison organizations to develop its immunization recommendations, which are harmonized among key professional medical societies. ACIP vaccine recommendations form two immunization schedules, which are updated annually: (1) the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule and (2) the adult immunization schedule. Today, once ACIP recommendations are adopted by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, these recommendations are published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), become official policy, and are incorporated into the appropriate immunization schedule.

Vaccination against varicella as post-exposure prophylaxis in adults: A quantitative assessment
Original Research Article
Pages 446-450
Cécile Souty, Evelyne Boos, Clément Turbelin, Thierry Blanchon, Thomas Hanslik, Pierre-Yves Boëlle
Abstract
Background
Varicella can be severe in adults. When universal vaccination is not adopted, post-exposure prophylaxis has been recommended in adults with uncertain history of varicella to reduce the burden of the disease in adults, however its impact is not quantified.
Methods
We developed a Bayesian probabilistic framework to estimate the impact of post-exposure prophylaxis in adults. We hypothesized that post-exposure vaccination would be proposed only after varicella exposure in close relatives. Information regarding the nature of the culprit exposure was obtained from a sample of 221 adult varicella cases. The lifelong probability that adults aged 18 would be infected with varicella was determined using data from the French Sentinelles surveillance network. Estimates of post-exposure vaccination efficacy were then used to compute the number of cases and hospitalizations prevented in adults.
Results
Familial exposure to varicella was reported by 81 adult cases out of 221. The probability of infection after exposure was 32%, so that six exposures on average were necessary to explain the observed cumulated lifetime incidence of varicella in non-immune 18 years old and over adults. Among the 35% of the 18 years old population with uncertain history of varicella, 11% would truly be non-immune. Post-exposure vaccination would prevent 26% of the cases (13 cases prevented per 100,000 adults per year) and 31% of the hospitalizations (0.2 hospitalizations prevented per 100,000 adults per year) if vaccination acceptance was 70%. An average of 16 adults would be vaccinated to avert one varicella case.
Conclusions
Post-exposure vaccination is associated with a substantial decrease in the burden of the disease in adults in a country where universal vaccination is not recommended. This quantitative information may help inform professionals to uphold the recommendation.

Does correcting myths about the flu vaccine work? An experimental evaluation of the effects of corrective information
Original Research Article
Pages 459-464
Brendan Nyhan, Jason Reifler
Abstract
Seasonal influenza is responsible for thousands of deaths and billions of dollars of medical costs per year in the United States, but influenza vaccination coverage remains substantially below public health targets. One possible obstacle to greater immunization rates is the false belief that it is possible to contract the flu from the flu vaccine. A nationally representative survey experiment was conducted to assess the extent of this flu vaccine misperception. We find that a substantial portion of the public (43%) believes that the flu vaccine can give you the flu. We also evaluate how an intervention designed to address this concern affects belief in the myth, concerns about flu vaccine safety, and future intent to vaccinate. Corrective information adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website significantly reduced belief in the myth that the flu vaccine can give you the flu as well as concerns about its safety. However, the correction also significantly reduced intent to vaccinate among respondents with high levels of concern about vaccine side effects – a response that was not observed among those with low levels of concern. This result, which is consistent with previous research on misperceptions about the MMR vaccine, suggests that correcting myths about vaccines may not be an effective approach to promoting immunization.

Rotavirus vaccination compliance and completion in a Medicaid infant population
Original Research Article
Pages 479-486
Girishanthy Krishnarajah, Pamela Landsman-Blumberg, Elnara Eynullayeva
Abstract
Highlights
:: Rotavirus (RV) vaccination completion and compliance rates were assessed in the US.
:: Completion rates and compliance were better for 2-dose than the 3-dose RV vaccine.
:: DTaP vaccine was the greatest predictor of RV vaccination compliance.
:: Higher completion rates and compliance might offer protection against RV infection.