World Immunisation Week, 24-30 April 2016

Immunisation is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. World Health Organisation (WHO)

Image: WHO

This year's World Immunisation Week (24-30 April) focuses on "Closing the Immunisation Gap - Immunisation for all throughout life." The WHO, who coordinate the annual campaign, have created a campaign toolkit to help raise awareness on this theme: Close the Immunisation Gap Toolkit

How much do you know about Immunisation? Some of the myths and facts about vaccination are answered in Q&A format here
If you would like to test your knowledge on immunisation you can take this short Quiz
Some of these fact sheets may help improve your score:
Fact sheet on immunisation coverage
Fact sheet on measles
Fact sheet on rubella
Fact sheet on poliomyelitis

Why strengthening Immunisation Systems matters?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 130 million infants are born around the world each year. Protecting these newborns from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) requires an organized, accessible, and well-functioning immunisation program. Strengthening our Immunisation Systems, the infrastructure that supports this global exercise and the awareness campaigns all contribute to improving world health.

Image: CDC

Training materials for best practice in Immunisation The training and upskilling of staff working in immunisation is one of the most important factors in enhancing immunisation performance and effectively introducing new vaccines, technologies, practices and policies. There are a wide variety of materials for professional practitioners available through the WHO website here, and these materials are also relevant for those working in support areas, in community contexts and other healthcare environments. 

Studying Immunisation at the RCSI Library

Our Library collections hold a wide range of materials on immunisation which can be accessed through the 'Clinical Summaries' section on the Library Website.  Full text articles on vaccination and immunology are available through our Clinical Key and UpToDate electronic resources.

For further information you can check out Global Health Links on RCSI Library Website.

Ireland immunisation facts links are available at:
http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/
http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/othersites/

Focus on Cystic Fibrosis: 65 Roses Day

Today is 65 Roses Day as part Cystic Fibrosis National Awareness Week (11th - 17th April 2016). We have a look at RCSI's contributions to research on this genetically inherited disease, and how buying a Purple Rose can support CF patients, their families and future research in the area. 

Bryan Dobson & Keelin Shanley launching 2016's 65 Roses Day for Friday 15th April.

What is Cystic Fibrosis? 
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life threatening inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: 

• clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; 
• obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. 

Health probles associated with Cystic Fibrosis.
Image: Blausen.com.

Ireland has highest global rates of CF
Ireland has both the highest incidence of CF in the world at 2.98 per 10,000 and the highest carrier rate in the world with 1 in 19 individuals classed as carriers. The incidence of cystic fibrosis in this country is almost two and a half times the average rate in other EU countries and the USA (1). At present, there are approximately 1,200 people with Cystic Fibrosis living in Ireland (2).

Many people with the disease in Ireland can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond. People with CF in Ireland are increasingly going on to attend third level colleges, accessing employment, and living more independent lives, with the support of family and friends. 

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is a voluntary organisation established by families of CF patients in 1963 to improve the treatment and facilities for people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland.

RCSI Research in Cystic Fibrosis
Research into respiratory diseases like CF is a particular strength of the College with notable breakthroughs such as the role of estrogen and the CF gender gap showing that the female hormone oestrogen promotes the presence of a particular form of bacteria which results in more severe symptoms for female cystic fibrosis patients.

Other major research interests in the area of respiratory diseases include pulmonary innate immunity, airway fluid dynamics in Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, protease/anti protease interactions in the lung, signal transduction and gene regulation in bronchial epithelium, the role of the neutrophil in inflammatory lung disease, microRNA profiling in CF, pro-resolution and ion transport effects of lipoxins in CF, endoplasmic reticulum stress responses and anti-inflammatory and gene therapeutics.

From the RCSI Library catalogue!

Studying Cystic Fibrosis at the RCSI Library
Our Library collections hold a wide range of materials for learning about CF, check out our saved search here for a taste. 

You can also check out all of our institutional publications related to Cystic Fibrosis from RCSI's institutional repository e-publications@RCSI.   

This is a wonderful resource managed and maintained by the RCSI Library which is an open access resource with all research and scholarly outputs from the College. Check out our saved search here to see publications to CF.

Why 65 Roses?
'65 Roses' is how some children first learn how to say 'Cystic Fibrosis'. The symbol in Ireland for '65 Roses Week' is a purple rose.

Find out more about CF

HSE: Newborn screening programme

Cystic Fybrosis Ireland
National Centre for Medical Genetics 

References

(1) Farrell PM. The prevalence of cystic fibrosis in the European Union. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis 2008 Sep;7(5):450-3.

(2) The Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland