Cuypers, M., Schalk, B. W. M., Koks, L. M. C. J., Nägele, M. E., Bakker, van G. E. J., Naaldenberg, J., & Leusink, G. L. (2020). Mortality of people with intellectual disabilities during the 2017/2018 influenza epidemic in the Netherlands: Potential implications for the COVID‐19 pandemic.Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 64(7), 482–488. Web.
This article deals with the incidence of influenza among people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Cuypers et al. (2020) have implemented a historical cohort study exploring mortality rates in the entire Dutch population and the target group in 2017-2018. The participants with IDs were entitled to residential mental health facilities (based on the national database). The researchers have found that the mortality rate in the target population was three times higher than that among the general population (15.2% in ID people and 5.4% in the general population). Another finding is related to the correlation between age and the mortality as mortality rate among older adults increased. Younger people with IDs who also had endocrine issues were also vulnerable. The researchers have concluded that the mortality rate among people with mental health issues is disproportionately distributed, which may need the corresponding response.
This source is valuable for the present research as it sheds light on an important aspect of the impact of influenza on public health with a focus on a particular population. Notably, the article is important as valuable insights are provided on mortality in a group that is rather numerous and can be a source of infection spread. The findings can help in developing proper interventions for people with mental health issues during the COVID pandemic.
Karlsson, E. A., Mook, P. A. N., Vandemaele, K., Fitzner, J., Hammond, A., Cozza, V., Wenqing Zhang, & Moen, A. (2021). Review of global influenza circulation, late 2019 to 2020, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on influenza circulation. Weekly Epidemiological Record, 96(25), 241–264.
The present article is a relevant source for the study on influenza as it contains quantitative data related to influenza epidemics on a global scale. This report provides information on the chronological, virological, and epidemiological peculiarities of the influenza season of 2019-2020. The focus of the researchers was on temperature regions in tropical and equatorial areas, as well as northern and southern hemispheres. The report is based on the data provided by the national ministries of health and the World Health Organization.
This report is a valuable source for the present study as it includes statistical data on the prevalence of influenza on a global scale a year before the COVID pandemic outbreak and the first year of the pandemic. The data can be instrumental in identifying the patterns of infection spread and transmission mechanisms in diverse regions, as well as the similarities and differences of these aspects regarding COVID-19. The article provides information that can also help in creating proper policies on public health and epidemics prevention.
Meyer Maciel Rodríguez, A. M., Zampieri Cardoso, T., Abrahão-Curvo, P., Gerin, L., Fredemir Palha, P., & Inés Segura-Muñoz, S. (2021). Vaccination against influenza in the face of COVID-19: Teaching-service integration for training in nursing and health.Anna Nery School Journal of Nursing / Escola Anna Nery Revista de Enfermagem, 25, 1–6. Web.
This article includes an analysis of vaccination against influenza implemented among older people in Brazil in spring 2020. It is reported that a far-reaching campaign that involved volunteers, healthcare, and educational facilities with the development of 35 vaccination stations launch. As a result, 83.3% of the target population were vaccinated, which is close to the necessary vaccination coverage. It is also stressed that this coverage exceeded the vaccination rate of the past five years by over 40%. The high vaccination rate is associated with effective multi-professional collaboration. In terms of this campaign, nurses received training, and the target population was educated regarding the health hazards and vaccination benefits.
This is a valuable source for the present study as it illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of a wide vaccination campaign, which is critical for post-COVID society. The study includes an analysis of the most important and effective aspects of the campaign that can be utilized in the campaign against COVID. The findings can become the basis for the development of a campaign in a particular community or country.