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Incremental effectiveness of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine against pneumonia hospitalisation among Australian Indigenous children: A record linkage studyThe impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on pneumonia in children is well-documented but data on 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) are lacking. Between 2001 and 2011, Indigenous children in Western Australia (WA) were recommended to receive PPV23 at 18-24 months of age following 3 doses of 7-valent PCV. We evaluated the incremental effectiveness of PPV23 against pneumonia hospitalisation.
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Determining the true incidence of seasonal respiratory syncytial virus-confirmed hospitalizations in preterm and term infants in Western AustraliaRespiratory syncytial virus contributes to significant global infant morbidity and mortality. We applied a previously developed statistical prediction model incorporating pre-pandemic RSV testing data and hospital admission data to estimate infant RSV-hospitalizations by birth month and prematurity, focused on infants aged <1 year.
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Non-specific benefit of seasonal influenza vaccine on respiratory syncytial virus-hospitalisations in children: An instrumental variable approach using population-based dataSeasonal influenza vaccine is effective against influenza hospitalisations, but little is known about non-specific effects of the vaccine on other respiratory pathogens with similar seasonal patterns. We aimed to assess the causal impact of seasonal influenza vaccine on laboratory-confirmed hospitalisations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children using an instrumental variable strategy.
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Influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage in pregnancy in Australia, 2016-2021Vaccination in pregnancy is the best strategy to reduce complications from influenza or pertussis infection in infants who are too young to be protected directly from vaccination. Pregnant women are also at risk of influenza complications preventable through antenatal vaccination. Both vaccines are funded under the National Immunisation Program for pregnant women in Australia, but coverage is not routinely reported nationally.
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Spatial and Temporal Data Visualisation for Mass Dissemination: Advances in the Era of COVID-19The COVID-19 pandemic is the first major pandemic of the digital age and has been characterised by unprecedented public consumption of spatial and temporal disease data, which can enable greater transparency and accountability of governments to the public for their public health decisions.
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Using record linkage to examine testing patterns for respiratory viruses among children born in Western AustraliaUsing linked data, we describe changes in respiratory virus testing among children born in Western Australia in 1996-2012
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Using record linkage to validate notification and laboratory data for a more accurate assessment of notifiable infectious diseasesStudies investigating pathogen-specific infectious disease would benefit from using multiple data sources.
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Diverging Trends in Gastroenteritis Hospitalizations during Two Decades in Western Australian Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal ChildrenOur findings highlight the need to consider age, ethnicity, seasonality and climate when evaluating rotavirus vaccine programs.
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Childhood pneumonia in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea: clinical, microbiological and immunological predictors of diseaseChristopher Deborah Hannah Lea-Ann Peter Blyth Lehmann Moore Kirkham Richmond MBBS (Hons) DCH FRACP FRCPA PhD AO, MBBS, MSc OAM BSc (Hons)
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Infection Transmission in Early Childhood Education and Care: a mixed methods study to inform future interventionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many uncertainties and incorrect assumptions about respiratory pathogen transmission.