Influenza – Not innocuous, but preventable

Abstract. Influenza is an infectious disease that can be prevented by a vaccine but the readiness to vaccinate against this recurrent infection is weak in the general population. However, influenza is not always ...

Pneumococcal vaccination for children and adults

Abstract. Pneumococci are the leading bacterial causes of respiratory tract infections, bacteremia and meningitis. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) are effective and safe in young children. Their ...

HPV vaccination

Abstract. Human Papilloma Viruses are associated with genital carcinoma (of the cervix, anus, vulva, vagina and the penis) as well as with non-genital carcinoma (oropharyngeal carcinoma) and genital warts. In Switzerland two highly ...

Chickenpox and shingles: one virus, two diseases and current vaccination recommendations in Switzerland

Abstract. Adults, pregnant women, premature babies and immunocompromised persons are at increased risk for varicella complications. Therefore the ...

Immunization against tick-borne encephalitis

Abstract. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection that may cause irreversible damage to the brain and even result in death. No specific therapy exists. Active immunization is of major importance in ...

Rabbies vaccination

Abstract. With very few exceptions, rabies is occurring around the globe. The clinical course of this mammal-transmitted infection is almost universally fatal. Thus, the disease is causing more human deaths than any other zoonosis. ...

Which vaccinations for which travel-destination?

Abstract. Several vaccinations are recommended to protect international travellers, especially to tropical countries, from diseases in other parts of the world. Firstly, the routine schedule of childhood ...

Vaccinations in pregnancy – Don’t miss the opportunity!

Abstract. Pregnant women and neonates are prone to a variety of infections and often suffer from complicated courses of the disease. The growing knowledge on immunology and vaccinations during ...

Vaccinations in patients with autoimmune diseases

Abstract. The number of individuals with autoimmune diseases treated with immunosuppressive drugs is increasing steadily. The variety of immunosuppressive drugs and in particular biological therapies is ...

Vaccinations for immunocompromised hosts – focussing on patients after a hematological stem cell or organ transplantation, with HIV or with functional or anatomical asplenia

Abstract. Patients with an acquired immune deficiency, for example due to HIV-...

Understanding and Handling Vaccine Hesitancy

Abstract. Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern to experts around the world and could increasingly jeopardize the success of vaccination campaigns. Ambivalence in questions of vaccination is promoted through ...

The benefits prevail – why electronic immunization records are advantageous to the general practitioner and his patients

Abstract. Immunization coverage throughout the Swiss population is still not optimal and therefore preventable diseases such as ...