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Vlček V. Compulsory vaccination of children - medical and legal problems. Cent Eur J Public Health 2024; 32:58-62. [PMID: 38669159 DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a8087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Regarding the vaccination of children, it can be said that there are basically three vaccination policies in the world, one of which is usually used in particular country depending on the national legislation. These are the mandatory vaccination policy, mandatory vaccination policy for school entry and recommended vaccination policy. The mandatory vaccination policy and the mandatory vaccination policy for school entry face obstacles consisting of conflicts between fundamental human rights and freedoms. This is, for example, a conflict between the right to health and the right to life on the one hand and the right to protect the inviolability of the person and body integrity or the right to personal freedom, freedom of movement, residence, etc., on the other. Another issue is the right to undisrupted school attendance, based on both compulsory schooling and the right to education. This article looks at different approaches to the vaccination of children in different countries. It provides an illustrative comparison of approaches to vaccination of children in selected countries. It is obvious that the essential problems with organizing and ensuring the vaccination of children are and will be associated with the indicated conflicts of fundamental human rights. It is therefore necessary to search and try to find the optimal policy for undergoing the necessary vaccinations and thereby creating herd immunity, of course for those infectious diseases where this is possible. These efforts are necessary for sufficiently effective protection of individual and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vít Vlček
- Public Health Authority of the Capital City of Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Anyaegbunam ZKG, Mba IE, Doowuese Y, Anyaegbunam NJ, Mba T, Aina FA, Chigor VN, Nweze EI, Eze EA. Antimicrobial resistance containment in Africa: Moving beyond surveillance. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2024; 6:50-58. [PMID: 40078303 PMCID: PMC11894975 DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens constitute a significant challenge threatening therapeutic efforts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) ranks among the top 10 global public health threats. Organisms with a high rate of multiple host adaptivity, significant genetic diversity (multiple lineages), high virulence factors, and genetic exchange have been isolated from various sources (humans, animals, and the environment) even without exposure to prior antibiotics. Till now, the source of AMR and how resistant clones are selected in the environment remain largely elusive, and potential anthropogenic transmission has been reported in different studies. Various drug-resistant pathogens, lineages, resistant clones, outbreak clusters, plasmid replicates, and genes that play a critical role in resistance dissemination have been identified. Maintenance of certain multidrug-resistant (MDR) determinants has also been shown to enhance or support the propagation of MDR. So far, significant advances have been made in understanding the burden of AMR. However, overcoming AMR requires a holistic approach, as there is no single approach with sufficient precision to curb the threat. While strengthening AMR surveillance efforts is essential, as we have shown, there is also a need to intensify efforts to strengthen therapeutic interventions, especially in priority regions such as Africa. Herein, we discussed the burden of AMR and the dissemination of AMR in humans, animals, and the environment (non-medical drivers). We further delved into the big questions on Africa and discussed how therapeutic interventions involving vaccines and other viable biomaterials could be pivotal in reducing the burden of AMR to the barest minimum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ifeanyi Elibe Mba
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
| | - Yandev Doowuese
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo 970001, Nigeria
| | - Ngozi J. Anyaegbunam
- Measurement and Evaluation Unit, Science Education Department, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
| | - Toluwalase Mba
- Sumy State University, Medical Institute, Sumy Oblast 40000, Ukraine
- Lead City University Hospital, Lead City, Ibadan 200255, Nigeria
| | - Fetuata Aminat Aina
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 111101, Nigeria
| | - Vincent Nnamdigadi Chigor
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
| | - Emeka Innocent Nweze
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel A. Eze
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus, Enugu 410001, Nigeria
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Heersema LA, Cunniff L, Eiden AL, Sharma I, Mishra J, Bhatti A. Intersection of policy and Immunization Information Systems (IIS). BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1828. [PMID: 37730618 PMCID: PMC10510248 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16457-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunization information systems (IIS) are confidential, population-based computerized databases that record vaccination doses administered to persons residing within a given geopolitical area. We sought to highlight the evolution of IIS policy over the last two decades, as IIS play a pivotal role in achieving equitable and high vaccine uptake. METHODS Legal epidemiological research methods were used to assess relevant IIS statutes and administrative codes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Philadelphia, and New York City. Where relevant, laws were cross-checked or supplemented with state and local health department resources. Comparisons to previous legal studies enabled evaluation of trends in IIS laws over time. RESULTS The compilation of current laws provides an updated overview of the diverse interstate and intrastate policies within the US that govern the capabilities and implementation of IIS. The findings of this study show the progress that has been made in the past decade in improving policies that enable IIS to be utilized across the life-course. Conversely, gaps in IIS data collection, limited interoperability with local and national health information systems, and inconsistent access to view or utilize IIS records due to existing policies, continue to limit the full potential of IIS. CONCLUSIONS In the United States (US), IIS are implemented and managed at the state and local level, creating variability in IIS policies and implementation. Findings from this study serve as a comprehensive benchmark of current IIS laws that may aid policy stakeholders who are exploring amendments to jurisdictional IIS laws.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara A Heersema
- Merck & Co., Inc, 351 North Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA, 19454, USA
| | - Luke Cunniff
- Merck & Co., Inc, 351 North Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA, 19454, USA.
| | - Amanda L Eiden
- Merck & Co., Inc, 351 North Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA, 19454, USA
| | - Isha Sharma
- Merck & Co., Inc, 351 North Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA, 19454, USA
| | - Jaya Mishra
- Merck & Co., Inc, 351 North Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA, 19454, USA
- Medicine and Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexandra Bhatti
- Merck & Co., Inc, 351 North Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA, 19454, USA
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