Trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for Herpes Zoster
Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (HZ), a painful and potentially debilitating disease. Vaccines are available to prevent HZ, but vaccination coverage remains low. This study aims to measure the impact of an awareness campaign on public interest...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Public Health in Practice |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000114 |
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| author | Santina Corona Maria Luisa Ianni Eleonora Cimino Mario Muselli |
| author_facet | Santina Corona Maria Luisa Ianni Eleonora Cimino Mario Muselli |
| author_sort | Santina Corona |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (HZ), a painful and potentially debilitating disease. Vaccines are available to prevent HZ, but vaccination coverage remains low. This study aims to measure the impact of an awareness campaign on public interest and vaccination coverage for HZ in Italy. Study design: Cross-sectional ecological study. Methods: Google Trends data and anti-zoster vaccination records were analyzed. Joinpoint regression models were used to identify trends and joinpoints. Correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between public interest and vaccination rates. Results: The search trends for ''Herpes Zoster'' and ''Zoster Vaccine'' showed a similar increasing trend from 2016 to 2022, with a peak in July 2022 coinciding with the start of the awareness campaign. The search volumes for ''Herpes Zoster'' were consistently higher than those for ''Zoster Vaccine'' before 2021. The vaccination coverage significantly increased after the campaign. A correlation was found between public interest and vaccination rates. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that public awareness campaigns can be an effective way to increase vaccination coverage for HZ. The awareness campaign increased public interest and translated into increased vaccination uptake. Google Trends data proved useful in assessing public awareness. Public awareness campaigns can effectively increase vaccination coverage for HZ. Google Trends data can be utilized to monitor public interest in vaccination-related topics. These findings can inform strategies to promote zoster vaccination and reduce the burden of HZ-related complications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06730e2bc8714929b0b56813cd7db87a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2666-5352 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Public Health in Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-06730e2bc8714929b0b56813cd7db87a2025-08-20T02:02:19ZengElsevierPublic Health in Practice2666-53522025-06-01910059210.1016/j.puhip.2025.100592Trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for Herpes ZosterSantina Corona0Maria Luisa Ianni1Eleonora Cimino2Mario Muselli3Local Health Unit No. 1 Avezzano-Sulmona-L’Aquila, ItalyItalian National Agency for Regional Healthcare Services, ItalyDepartment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy; Corresponding author. University of L'Aquila, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, Via Giuseppe Pertini, Delta 6 Medicina, Coppito, L'Aquila, 67100, Italy.Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (HZ), a painful and potentially debilitating disease. Vaccines are available to prevent HZ, but vaccination coverage remains low. This study aims to measure the impact of an awareness campaign on public interest and vaccination coverage for HZ in Italy. Study design: Cross-sectional ecological study. Methods: Google Trends data and anti-zoster vaccination records were analyzed. Joinpoint regression models were used to identify trends and joinpoints. Correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between public interest and vaccination rates. Results: The search trends for ''Herpes Zoster'' and ''Zoster Vaccine'' showed a similar increasing trend from 2016 to 2022, with a peak in July 2022 coinciding with the start of the awareness campaign. The search volumes for ''Herpes Zoster'' were consistently higher than those for ''Zoster Vaccine'' before 2021. The vaccination coverage significantly increased after the campaign. A correlation was found between public interest and vaccination rates. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that public awareness campaigns can be an effective way to increase vaccination coverage for HZ. The awareness campaign increased public interest and translated into increased vaccination uptake. Google Trends data proved useful in assessing public awareness. Public awareness campaigns can effectively increase vaccination coverage for HZ. Google Trends data can be utilized to monitor public interest in vaccination-related topics. These findings can inform strategies to promote zoster vaccination and reduce the burden of HZ-related complications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000114VaccinationShinglesGoogle trendsPolicyPublic health interventionsVaccine-preventable disease |
| spellingShingle | Santina Corona Maria Luisa Ianni Eleonora Cimino Mario Muselli Trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for Herpes Zoster Public Health in Practice Vaccination Shingles Google trends Policy Public health interventions Vaccine-preventable disease |
| title | Trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for Herpes Zoster |
| title_full | Trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for Herpes Zoster |
| title_fullStr | Trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for Herpes Zoster |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for Herpes Zoster |
| title_short | Trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for Herpes Zoster |
| title_sort | trends in public interest and vaccination coverage for herpes zoster |
| topic | Vaccination Shingles Google trends Policy Public health interventions Vaccine-preventable disease |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535225000114 |
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