Varicella vaccination coverage in Bavaria (Germany) after general vaccine recommendation in 2004.
Since 2004, general varicella vaccination has been recommended for all children 11-14 months of age in Germany. The objective of this study was to examine vaccination coverage in children and factors associated with parental acceptance during the first years after recommendation. In a regional surveillance area, cross-sectional parent surveys were conducted in 2006, 2007 and 2008 in random samples (n=600) of children aged 18-36 months; data were obtained for 372, 364 and 352 children, respectively. Parents were questioned on their child's varicella disease history, and on varicella vaccination status as recorded in the child's vaccination booklet. Overall coverage increased from 38% in 2006 to 51% in 2007 and stagnated at 53% in 2008; in susceptible children (withoutThe water-energy nexus: A sustainability assessment of water supply in Costa Brava, Spain

June 2nd, 2014

Chelsea Burns, American University, United States

The Costa Brava in the Northeastern Mediterranean region of Catalunya, Spain is a hotspot for tourism during the summer months. Population increases from 240,000 to over 1 million between June and August. For Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar, two of the most visited municipalities along the Costa Brava, local water resources have proven insufficient during the peak season since the 1970s. In the last decade, issues of salt-water intrusion due to the overexploitation of the Tordera aquifer during the summer months has forced authorities to develop other supply alternatives, such as desalination and water reuse.

Energy intensity of supply alternatives

In a recent study, we analyzed the entire water