Proposed interim case definition and case finding algorithm for reporting patients infected by the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in EU/EEA Member States
ECDC is addressing the harmonisation and improvement of pertussis diagnosis for surveillance and outbreak detection/monitoring in order to assure quality and comparability of data. The guidance and protocol are intended for real-time PCR on DNA extracted from clinical specimens obtained from patients with suspected whooping cough (i.e. Bordetella pertussis or B. parapertussis).
This set of pandemic preparedness indicators is designed to assist Member States with the assessment of their pandemic preparedness in order to identify gaps, prioritise future investment and monitor progress in those areas that, by international consensus, are deemed the most important.
The generic study protocols presented here summarise all relevant methodological issues related to conducting cohort database studies aimed at measuring vaccine effectiveness for seasonal and A(H1N1)v influenza.
This publication presents the core European protocol for a series of proposed influenza vaccine effectiveness studies. The protocol includes a proposed plan for pooled analysis and has recently been adapted to measure vaccine effectiveness for the pandemic vaccine in 2009-10. Together with its twin publication ‘Protocols for cohort database studies to measure influenza vaccine effectiveness in the EU and EEA Member States’, this publication covers all methodological issues in the design and implementation of vaccine effectiveness studies, both for seasonal and the new A(H1N1)v influenza.
Current childhood vaccination schedules are the result of historical tradition, compliance with provision of health services and national vaccine registration. They have been designed on the basis of different needs related to how the healthcare system – but also the education system – is organised at national level.
Antiviral drugs are an important addition to the public health arsenal against influenza. This interim guidance discusses the options for their effective use, especially during a pandemic.