Progress in the research on HPV vaccination: updates from the 25th International Papillomavirus Conference in Malmo, Sweden, 2009

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In Search of a Lost Father: Adrien Proust (1834–1903), An Almost Forgotten Public Health Pioneer

Objectives: In this communication, we wish to remember the important historical role played by Marcel Proust’s father, the now mostly forgotten Achille-Adrien Proust (1834–1903). Study Design and Methods: His career, scientific interests and, above all, his brilliant intuitions and suggestions in the fight against cholera in the 19th century are recalled. Results and Conclusions: His role in the promotion of a globally effective vision of public hygiene and health is stressed as a bright example for modern physicians fighting contemporary epidemics

Impact assessment of an education course on vaccinations in a population of pregnant women: A pilot study

Introduction. Although the benefits of vaccinations have been extensively demonstrated, vaccination coverage remains unsatisfactory as result of many people's poor knowledge and negative perception of vaccination. We evaluated the impact of an education course on vaccinations in a population of pregnant women. Methods. A total of 214 pregnant women were invited to participate in this project, which was undertaken at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Careggi University Hospital in Florence (Italy). Anonymous questionnaires were administered to women before and after the intervention. A descriptive and statistical analysis was carried out in order to compare the responses obtained before and after the intervention. Results. Adherence to the initiative was good (98%): Initially, the respondents were not hostile to vaccinations, though many (43%) were poorly or insufficiently informed. The educational intervention had a positive impact. After the intervention, the number of women who rated their level of knowledge of vaccinations as poor or insufficient had decreased by 30% and the number of "hesitant" respondents had decreased with respect to all aspects of the study, especially the decision to be vaccinated during pregnancy. Conclusions. Hesitancy stems from a lack of accurate information. Healthcare professionals need to improve their communication skills. Appropriate education during pregnancy, when women are more receptive, may have a highly positive impact. These observations need to be considered in the planning of courses to prepare pregnant women for delivery also in other maternal-foetal centres in Italy

Present situation and new perspectives for vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis in Tuscany, Central Italy

Background. In Italy one third of bacterial meningitis are caused by Neisseria meningitidis. In March 2005, the Regional Health Authority of Tuscany included the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccine in the recommended vaccination pro- gram with a schedule of three doses to all newborns at 3, 5 and 13 months of age (from 2008 amended to a single dose at 13 months) and a single catch-up dose until age 6. Objective. To evaluate the impact of the current national and regional immunization strategies against N. meningitidis and to highlight new perspectives for meningococcal disease prevention with the existing tetravalent meningococcal vaccine (ACWY) and with the future incoming meningococcal B vaccines. Methods. Meningitis incidence rates in Italy and in Tuscany were calculated for the period 1994-2011 and 2005-2011,respectively. Immunization coverage with MCC vaccine in Tuscany and vacci- nation status of meningitis cases were reported. Literature review on meningococcal conjugate vaccine use and recommendation was performed. Results. A decrease in incidence rates of meningococcal menin- gitis was observed in all age groups involved in the immunization campaign. Immunization coverage with MCC increased progres- sively year by year in Tuscany. A herd immunity effect was meas- ured in unvaccinated age groups. Since 2006 no cases of invasive meningococcal C infection in vaccinated subjects were observed in Tuscany. Conclusions. Implementation of MCC vaccination in Tuscany was effective in preventing meningococcal C disease, confirming the effectiveness of the vaccine. A new tetravalent (ACWY) con- jugate vaccine is now available and its use in all Italian Regions should be considered. The full article is free available on www.jpmh.or