Morbidity status for selected vaccine-preventable infections in the Irkutsk region in different periods of vaccine prevention

Background. The success of vaccination prevention at the present stage is undeniable. However, the epidemiological features of individual infections dictate the need of optimizing this preventive measure. This study is devoted to the epidemiological analysis of measles and whooping cough morbidity as infections with proven epidemiological effectiveness of the conducted vaccination, but at the same time, characterized by an increase in the incidence rate over the past years. Chickenpox and meningococcal infection are nosological forms, despite the continuing epidemiological, social and economic significance, characterized by a selective approach to vaccination of the population.

The aim. Study intensity of the epidemic process of infections with different vaccination strategies using the example of whooping cough, measles, chickenpox, meningococcal infection to justify the optimization of vaccination prevention tactics in the region.

Materials and methods. A retrospective epidemiological analysis of the incidence of whooping cough, measles, chickenpox, and meningococcal infection was conducted using previously published data and reporting forms from the Office of Rospotrebnadzor for the period 1955–2023 in the Irkutsk region.

Results. The introduction of mass vaccination against whooping cough and measles in the National Immunization Schedule has contributed to a decrease in morbidity. The period 2014–2023 in the region was characterized by an uneven distribution of indicators with an upward trend for these infections (Tgrow. was 15.1 and 18.7 %, respectively). It has been shown that against the background of a selective vaccination strategy against meningococcal infection and chickenpox, a decrease in morbidity is observed until 2021. At the same time, direct correlations are observed between the number of vaccinated and morbidity levels (ρ = 0.952, ρ = 0.842 at p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion. The obtained results of the study are necessary for optimization of the existing vaccination prevention program in the region. The introduction of revaccination of children, adolescents and adults against whooping cough, cohort vaccination of children against chickenpox and meningococcal infection will reduce the burden of infections with different vaccination strategies at the level of the subject of the Russian Federation.

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