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Vaccines
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Epidemiology and Vaccinations in Infectious Diseases
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Epidemiology and Vaccinations in Infectious Diseases

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology and Vaccination".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 2696

Editors

Dr. Alessio Facciolà

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
Interests: epidemiology of infectious diseases; vaccinations; public health; environmental health; climate change and infectious diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Antonio Laganà

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
Interests: epidemiology of infectious diseases; vaccinations; public health; environmental health; climate change and infectious diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to our Special Issue titled “Epidemiology and Vaccinations in Infectious Diseases.” This issue aims to gather original research articles and reviews that focus on the vital topic of infectious disease epidemiology and prevention.

Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Continuous monitoring of their epidemiology is essential for global public health, as it enables the detection of changes in expected case distributions and helps address emerging critical issues. Vaccinations play a vital role in preventing these diseases. While traditional vaccines have been effective for many years, it is increasingly important to develop new vaccines to manage both emerging and re-emerging diseases. In this Special Issue, we will address current issues and future perspectives. Topics of interest include outbreaks of classic and emerging infections, changes in the typical epidemiology of diseases, the spread of antimicrobial resistance, the development of new vaccines, and the implementation of vaccination campaigns.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Alessio Facciolà
Dr. Antonio Laganà
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • epidemiology of infectious diseases
  • traditional and innovative vaccinations
  • epidemic and pandemic risk
  • global public health

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 720 KB  
Article
Immunization Status and Effectiveness Analysis of Hepatitis B Vaccine Among Preterm Infants in Fujian Province, 2022–2023
by Hairong Zhang, Jie Zhang, Zhikun Cai and Lifang Huang
Vaccines 2026, 14(7), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14070583 - 30 Jun 2026
Viewed by 113
Abstract
Objective: This study evaluated hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) uptake, associated influencing factors, and post-vaccination immune responses among preterm infants residing in Fujian Province. The findings can support targeted improvements in hepatitis B prevention and control strategies tailored for this high-risk neonatal population. Methods: [...] Read more.
Objective: This study evaluated hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) uptake, associated influencing factors, and post-vaccination immune responses among preterm infants residing in Fujian Province. The findings can support targeted improvements in hepatitis B prevention and control strategies tailored for this high-risk neonatal population. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study combined with short-term prospective serological follow-up across five counties, cities and districts of Fujian Province between 2022 and 2023. A total of 779 eligible preterm infants were enrolled in this study. We collected demographic information of participating mothers and infants, as well as complete HepB vaccination records throughout the study period. For 363 enrolled infants, we performed serological tests to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) at 1–2 months after they completed the full HepB vaccination series. To explore factors linked to timely administration of the first HepB dose (HepB1), completion of the full vaccination course and HBsAb serostatus, we adopted a set of statistical approaches including descriptive statistics, the chi-square test (Fisher’s exact test was used for groups with small sample sizes) and binary logistic regression. Results: The timely HepB1 vaccination rate among all preterm infants was 78.18%, while 63.80% completed the full vaccination schedule as required. In the serology cohort, the HBsAb positive rate was 90.91%, and 8.82% of infants showed double-negative HBsAg and HBsAb results, indicating susceptibility to HBV infection. Multivariate analysis identified multiple risk factors for delayed vaccination. Preterm infants were more likely to receive vaccinations late if their mothers tested HBsAg-negative (HepB1: OR = 25.231, 95%CI: 4.997–127.406; full-course HepB: OR = 2.440, 95%CI: 1.395–4.269), were delivered in county-level or lower-tier medical facilities (HepB1: OR = 3.724, 95%CI: 2.107–6.580), or were born via cesarean section (HepB1: OR = 3.460, 95%CI: 2.169–5.520; full-course HepB: OR = 1.954, 95%CI: 1.411–2.704). Additional risk factors included a gestational age below 34 weeks (HepB1: OR = 4.369, 95%CI: 1.894–10.081; full-course HepB: OR = 2.237, 95%CI: 1.148–4.359) and a birth weight less than 2500 g (HepB1: OR = 2.251, 95%CI: 1.397–3.629; full-course HepB: OR = 1.513, 95%CI: 1.065–2.150). Conclusions: Preterm infants enrolled from five regions in Fujian Province achieved robust immune protection following standard HepB vaccination. However, timely first-dose coverage and on-schedule full-course vaccination remain suboptimal in this cohort. Observed gaps in routine vaccination management at primary care settings highlight a key area for improvement in local hepatitis B prevention. Targeted standardized training for maternity care staff at county-level facilities, paired with a full-cycle follow-up system for preterm infant vaccination, may further strengthen hepatitis B mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) interruption in the study regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Vaccinations in Infectious Diseases)
22 pages, 2973 KB  
Article
Mpox Vaccination Willingness, Concern Profiles, and Associated Factors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Changsha, China
by Yingying Zhou, Wenqiang Wang, Yun Kuang, Qiang Hu, Lin Shen, Qiangming Xie and Zhi Xie
Vaccines 2026, 14(5), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14050428 - 10 May 2026
Viewed by 645
Abstract
Background: Mpox vaccination is an important prevention strategy for men who have sex with men (MSM), yet responses to vaccination may not be adequately captured by a simple willing-versus-unwilling framing. We examined correlates of vaccination willingness and heterogeneity within the delayed/refused responses [...] Read more.
Background: Mpox vaccination is an important prevention strategy for men who have sex with men (MSM), yet responses to vaccination may not be adequately captured by a simple willing-versus-unwilling framing. We examined correlates of vaccination willingness and heterogeneity within the delayed/refused responses subgroup in Changsha, China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Vaccination willingness was classified as immediate willingness versus delayed/refused responses. Analyses included cluster-robust logistic regression, RDS-weighted regression, generalized estimating equations, and a recruiter-linked network-lag model. Among respondents with delayed/refused responses, concern profiles were explored using unsupervised clustering of standardized concern items. Results: Among 405 recruited MSM without a self-reported mpox infection history, immediate willingness and delayed/refused responses were nearly equally distributed, indicating that lack of immediate willingness was common. Across primary models, ever use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and higher mpox-related information exposure frequency were the most consistent correlates of immediate willingness versus delayed/refused responses, whereas basic sociodemographic variables showed little evidence of independent association. Within the delayed/refused group, three partially overlapping patterns emerged: broadly elevated cross-domain concern, low-concern delay with few strongly endorsed barriers, and more selective safety- and burden-related concerns. These findings suggest that a lack of immediate willingness may arise through different psychosocial pathways rather than a single common mechanism. Conclusions: Mpox vaccination willingness among MSM in Changsha appeared to be shaped more by prevention-related behaviors and psychosocial factors than by basic sociodemographic profiles alone. Vaccination strategies may benefit from cross-topic sexual-health communication, integrated prevention efforts, and subgroup-sensitive approaches to delayed or refused willingness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Vaccinations in Infectious Diseases)
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13 pages, 605 KB  
Article
Pneumococcal Meningitis in a Region of Northern Spain, 1993–2023: Incidence Trends, Clinical Features, Recurrences, and Antibiotic Resistance
by Ayla Manzanal, Diego Vicente, Iñigo Ansa, Maitane Arrastia, Pedro Vallejo and José María Marimón
Vaccines 2026, 14(2), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14020131 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1403
Abstract
Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is currently the leading cause of acute bacterial meningitis. This study assessed the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on pneumococcal meningitis in Gipuzkoa, north of Spain, between 1993 and 2023. Methods: All cases were serotyped and tested for [...] Read more.
Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is currently the leading cause of acute bacterial meningitis. This study assessed the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on pneumococcal meningitis in Gipuzkoa, north of Spain, between 1993 and 2023. Methods: All cases were serotyped and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, with medical records reviewed since 2013. Overall, 193 patients were diagnosed (178 patients), averaging 6.2 cases annually. Results: Pneumococcal meningitis annual incidence decreased significantly after PCVs introduction, from 1.99 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 1993–2001 (before PCV7) to 1.64 in 2002–2010 (PCV7 period) and further to 1.13 in 2011–2023 (PCV13 period). This decline was observed in all age groups except for adults aged ≥65 years, in whom the reduction was observed only after PCV13 introduction. The greatest reduction was observed in children under five. The incidence of meningitis caused by vaccine serotypes decreased following the progressive introduction of PCVs, but non-PCV serotypes increased from 0.70 to 0.95 cases per 100,000 between 1993–2001 and 2011–2023. Otitis media was the most common source of infection, followed by CSF fistula. Most cases (85%) required ICU admission; 67.5% showed sequels at discharge, mainly sensorineural hearing loss, and the 30-day mortality rate was 11.1%. Recurrent pneumococcal meningitis represented 7.8% of cases, associated with head trauma, with favorable outcomes and no mortality. Between 1993–2001 and 2002–2010, penicillin and cefotaxime resistance decreased from 25.4% to 13.3% (47.6% reduction) and from 19.7% to 5% (74.6% reduction), respectively. In 2011–2023, cefotaxime resistance stabilized, but penicillin resistance rose to 32.3%, mainly due to non-PCV13 serotypes. Conclusions: The use of PCV reduced the incidence of pneumococcal meningitis in the region, but penicillin resistance has increased in recent years, due to the rise in non-PCV13 serotypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Vaccinations in Infectious Diseases)
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