Initial assessment of the COVID-19 vaccination's impact on case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths in people aged 80 years and older, 15 EU/EEA countries, December 2020 to May 2021

Prioritisation of elderly people in COVID-19 vaccination campaigns aimed at reducing severe outcomes in this group. Using EU/EEA surveillance and vaccination uptake, we estimated the risk ratio of case, hospitalisation and death notifications in people 80 years and older compared with 25-59-year-olds. Highest impact was observed for full vaccination uptake 80% or higher with reductions in notification rates of cases up to 65% (IRR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.13-0.99), hospitalisations up to 78% (IRR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.13-0.37) and deaths up to 84% (IRR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.13-0.20).S

Immunisation of migrants in EU/EEA countries: Policies and practices

In recent years various EU/EEA countries have experienced an influx of migrants from low and middle-income countries. In 2018, the “Vaccine European New Integrated Collaboration Effort (VENICE)” survey group conducted a survey among 30 EU/EEA countries to investigate immunisation policies and practices targeting irregular migrants, refugees and asylum seekers (later called “migrants” in this report). Twenty-nine countries participated in the survey. Twenty-eight countries reported having national policies targeting children/adolescent and adult migrants, however vaccinations offered to adult migrants are limited to specific conditions in seven countries. All the vaccinations included in the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) are offered to children/adolescents in 27/28 countries and to adults in 13/28 countries. In the 15 countries offering only certain vaccinations to adults, priority is given to diphtheria-tetanus, measles-mumps-rubella and polio vaccinations. Information about the vaccines given to child/adolescent migrants is recorded in 22 countries and to adult migrants in 19 countries with a large variation in recording methods found across countries. Individual and aggregated data are reportedly not shared with other centres/institutions in 13 and 15 countries, respectively. Twenty countries reported not collecting data on vaccination uptake among migrants; only three countries have these data at the national level. Procedures to guarantee migrants’ access to vaccinations at the community level are available in 13 countries. In conclusion, although diversified, strategies for migrant vaccination are in place in all countries except for one, and the strategies are generally in line with international recommendations. Efforts are needed to strengthen partnerships and implement initiatives across countries of origin, transit and destination to develop and better share documentation in order to guarantee a completion of vaccination series and to avoid unnecessary re-vaccination. Development of migrant-friendly strategies to facilitate migrants' access to vaccination and collection of vaccination uptake data among migrants is needed to meet existing gaps

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Self-reported Sexually Transmitted Infections in Slovenia in 2000

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and examine the associations between self-reported STIs and sociodemographic and behavioral factors among sexually active Slovenians aged 18-49 years. Methods: Data were collected during 1999-2001 from a probability sample of the general population at respondents’ homes by a combination of face-to-face interviews and anonymous self-administered questionnaires. Statistical methods for complex survey data were used to account for stratification, clustered sampling, and weighing. Results: The proportion of sexually active Slovenian population that reported ever being diagnosed with an STI, excluding pelvic inflammatory disease and vaginal discharge for women, was 5.5% for men and 5.1% for women. Gonorrhea was the most commonly self-reported STI among men (3.7%) and hepatitis B among women (1.7%). Independent risk factors associated with self-reported STIs included having concurrent heterosexual relationships during lifetime [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for men 3.3 (CI 1.3-8.6) and for women 2.3 (CI 1.0-5.3)], ever having paid for sex for men (AOR 4.0, CI 1.5-10.7), and having at least 10 lifetime heterosexual partners for women (AOR 4.7, CI 1.7-13.0). Conclusion: Our estimates of lifetime prevalence of self-reported STIs in a probability sample of Slovenian men and women aged 18 to 49 indicate a substantial national burden of STIs. The results could be used in shaping national STI prevention and control policies and strategies. Identification of risk factors associated with self-reported STIs provide a basis for targeting prevention and control efforts to individuals at higher risk

Tick-borne Encephalitis Associated with Consumption of Raw Goat Milk, Slovenia, 2012

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) developed in 3 persons in Slovenia who drank raw milk; a fourth person, who had been vaccinated against TBE, remained healthy. TBE virus RNA was detected in serum and milk of the source goat. Persons in TBE-endemic areas should be encouraged to drink only boiled/pasteurized milk and to be vaccinated