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Research
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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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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Attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of Western Australians towards vaccine safety surveillance systems following COVID-19 vaccines: A qualitative descriptive studyConcerns regarding adverse events following immunisation are a barrier to vaccine uptake. Health professionals use vaccine safety surveillance systems (VSSSs) to monitor vaccines and inform the public of safety data. With little known about public attitudes, perceptions, and experiences with VSSS, we examined them in the context of COVID-19 vaccinations in Western Australia.
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Assessing the burden of laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus infection in a population cohort of Australian children through record linkageRespiratory syncytial virus is pervasive across multiple severity levels and diagnoses. Vaccines targeting children <3 months must be prioritized
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Parainfluenza Virus Infection in an Australian Community-based Birth CohortIn a community-based birth cohort of 158 Australian infants followed to age 2 years, the incidence rate of human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) was 0.42 (95% CI = 0.33, 0.54) episodes per child-year with episodes occurring year-round, peaking in the spring season.
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Predicting the causative pathogen among children with osteomyelitis using Bayesian networks – improving antibiotic selection in clinical practiceWe have demonstrated the potential use of Bayesian Networks in improving antibiotic selection for children with osteomyelitis
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Perinatal risk factors associated with skin infection hospitalisation in Western Australian Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal childrenWe have quantified the relative influence of perinatal risk factors associated with skin infection hospitalisations in WA children
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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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Effectiveness of a 3 + 0 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine schedule against invasive pneumococcal disease among a birth cohort of 1.4 million children in AustraliaOur population-based cohort study demonstrates that >90% coverage in the first year of a universal 3 + 0 PCV program provided high population-level protection
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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.