Vaccine Adverse Effects Research Articles

COVID-19 vaccines and homoeopathy – An integrative review

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought millions of people at risk. Clinical trials of several known antiviral drugs and vaccines have been done. Homoeopathy is known to be effective in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases as well as in overcoming some adverse effects of vaccination. Objectives: The objectives of this review were to identify the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination from the published literature and doing homoeopathic repertorisation to find out indicated remedies for alleviating the ill effects of COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: Published literature was searched for ‘Covid-19’, ‘Vaccination’ and ‘Adverse events’ in PubMed between January 2020 and July 2021. The related symptoms pertaining to known adverse effects were picked and repertorised with appropriate rubrics from the ‘Vaccination’ chapter of Murphy’s clinical repertory and synthesis repertory. Results: Repertorial totality of identified symptoms was analysed. Thuja scored high when symptoms related to the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines were repertorised according to Murphy’s and synthesis repertories. Indications of the common remedies for the ill-effects identified for COVID-19 vaccination are discussed. Conclusion: Vaccines against nCoV- 19 are still not fully researched, especially for their long-term effects. Hence, whether they would prove to be friends or foes to humankind, in the long run, is the arena of future research. Meanwhile, homoeopathy can lend its services to overcome the ill effects of the vaccination. Studies with rigorous designs to find out the efficacy of homoeopathic medicines in relieving the adverse effects of vaccination are suggested.

A cross-sectional study exploring the Covid-19 vaccination landscape in Malta through social media: An insight into experiences, attitudes, and perspectives.

Covid-19 vaccines were disseminated across Europe from the end of 2020. Malta had one of the fastest vaccination rollouts in Europe and by March 2022 most adults had their booster dose. The aim was to investigate adult's perspectives, experiences, and attitudes regarding vaccination in Malta. An anonymous online survey targeting adult social media users living in Malta was disseminated through social media, with a snowball technique. Demographic information, vaccination uptake, side-effects, perceptions, and experiences were gathered through quantitative and qualitative means. Participants were sub-grouped according to their vaccination status and descriptive analysis through frequency was performed. χ 2/Fisher test testing followed by logistic regressions were performed to assess the vaccination perspectives according to vaccination status. Out of 611 participants 79.87% had the booster, 4.91% had two doses awaiting booster, 6.55% refused booster while, 8.67% refused any dose. Booster sub-group when compared to vaccine hesitant sub-group exhibited an association with the perception for the need to "continue wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and hand washing following vaccination" (odds ratio [OR]: 5.97 confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.09-32.36 p = 0.04). Those waiting for the booster dose when compared to those refusing booster, exhibited an association with the perspective that "COVID-19 vaccine is the solution to returning to normality" (OR: 5.00 CI 95%: 1.12-22.35 p = 0.04). The commonest reason for inoculation was to protect against severe disease (63.08% CI 95%: 58.91-67.07). More pronounced booster adverse effects raised concern about future booster doses uptake. Unwillingness among anti-booster and vaccine hesitant arose among high socioeconomic background participants, with concern for vaccine safety and adverse effects. Vaccine hesitancy is low yet, vaccination unwillingness even among highly educated may act as a barrier to control the pandemic. Clear, transparent public health communication which targets concerns is crucial, with unified messages from governing bodies optimizing population safety.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Induces Hemagglutination: Implications for COVID-19 Morbidities and Therapeutics and for Vaccine Adverse Effects

Experimental findings for SARS-CoV-2 related to the glycan biochemistry of coronaviruses indicate that attachments from spike protein to glycoconjugates on the surfaces of red blood cells (RBCs), other blood cells and endothelial cells are key to the infectivity and morbidity of COVID-19. To provide further insight into these glycan attachments and their potential clinical relevance, the classic hemagglutination (HA) assay was applied using spike protein from the Wuhan, Alpha, Delta and Omicron B.1.1.529 lineages of SARS-CoV-2 mixed with human RBCs. The electrostatic potential of the central region of spike protein from these four lineages was studied through molecular modeling simulations. Inhibition of spike protein-induced HA was tested using the macrocyclic lactone ivermectin (IVM), which is indicated to bind strongly to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein glycan sites. The results of these experiments were, first, that spike protein from these four lineages of SARS-CoV-2 induced HA. Omicron induced HA at a significantly lower threshold concentration of spike protein than the three prior lineages and was much more electropositive on its central spike protein region. IVM blocked HA when added to RBCs prior to spike protein and reversed HA when added afterward. These results validate and extend prior findings on the role of glycan bindings of viral spike protein in COVID-19. They furthermore suggest therapeutic options using competitive glycan-binding agents such as IVM and may help elucidate rare serious adverse effects (AEs) associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, which use spike protein as the generated antigen.

Sacroiliitis Following Third (Booster) Dose of Moderna SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Treated Successfully With Sacroiliac Joint Injection

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapidly spread across the world causing the coronavirus disease 2019. Due to high infectious spread, 2 messenger RNA vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, were the first SARS-CoV-2 vaccines authorized in the United States. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of a 19-year-old woman who developed isolated sacroiliitis following the third (booster) dose of the Moderna vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: While most vaccine adverse effects are self-resolved, we describe a unique case of isolated sacroiliitis after the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, which was then successfully treated with sacroiliac joint injection after failing medical management. KEY WORDS: COVID-19, sacroiliitis, pain management, sacroiliac joint injection, Moderna, vaccination, case report

Pilot Findings on SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine-Induced Pituitary Diseases: A Mini Review from Diagnosis to Pathophysiology.

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2019, a massive vaccination campaign has been undertaken rapidly and worldwide. Like other vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine is not devoid of side effects. Typically, the adverse side effects of vaccination include transient headache, fever, and myalgia. Endocrine organs are also affected by adverse effects. The major SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-associated endocrinopathies reported since the beginning of the vaccination campaign are thyroid and pancreas disorders. SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced pituitary diseases have become more frequently described in the literature. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE for commentaries, case reports, and case series articles reporting pituitary disorders following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The search was reiterated until September 2022, in which eight case reports were found. In all the cases, there were no personal or familial history of pituitary disease described. All the patients described had no previous SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to the vaccination episode. Regarding the type of vaccines administered, 50% of the patients received (BNT162b2; Pfizer-BioNTech) and 50% received (ChAdOx1 nCov-19; AstraZeneca). In five cases, the pituitary disorder developed after the first dose of the corresponding vaccine. Regarding the types of pituitary disorder, five were hypophysitis (variable clinical aspects ranging from pituitary lesion to pituitary stalk thickness) and three were pituitary apoplexy. The time period between vaccination and pituitary disorder ranged from one to seven days. Depending on each case's follow-up time, a complete remission was obtained in all the apoplexy cases but in only three patients with hypophysitis (persistence of the central diabetes insipidus). Both quantity and quality of the published data about pituitary inconveniences after COVID-19 vaccination are limited. Pituitary disorders, unlike thyroid disorders, occur very quickly after COVID-19 vaccination (less than seven days for pituitary disorders versus two months for thyroid disease). This is partially explained by the ease of reaching the pituitary, which is a small gland. Therefore, this gland is rapidly overspread, which explains the speed of onset of pituitary symptoms (especially ADH deficiency which is a rapid onset deficit with evocative symptoms). Accordingly, these pilot findings offer clinicians a future direction to be vigilant for possible pituitary adverse effects of vaccination. This will allow them to accurately orient patients for medical assistance when they present with remarkable symptoms, such as asthenia, polyuro-polydipsia, or severe headache, following a COVID-19 vaccination.

El potencial efecto neurológico de las vacunas COVID-19, reporte de caso

El síndrome respiratorio agudo severo por coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causa enfermedad por coronavirus, que va desde un cuadro respiratorio leve hasta cuadros severos, que implican compromiso del sistema respiratorio, nervioso, renal, cardiovascular y de coagulación que ensombrecen el pronóstico para el enfermo; se planteó como la solución más prometedora el hallazgo de una vacuna eficaz, una vez identificado el 31 de diciembre del 2019 el genoma del virus. Aparecieron múltiples plataformas para la creación de una vacuna, con el objetivo de producir anticuerpos que puedan neutralizar los patógenos o estimular al sistema inmunológico para su destrucción. Para realizar esta revisión se inició una búsqueda en plataformas como PubMed, Uptodate, Google Académico, con palabras como vacuna COVID-19, efectos neurológicos de la COVID-19 y efectos secundarios de la vacunación contra la COVID-19, obteniendo artículos de interés científico, que se reflejan en la presente revisión, en la que se muestran los efectos adversos potenciales de la vacunación; sin embargo, cabe recalcar, que el porcentaje de complicaciones sigue siendo muy bajo en relación con el beneficio de disminución de mortalidad por la COVID-19. En consecuencia, se presenta un caso clínico observado en UCI (Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos), con cuadro clínico neurológico compatible con encefalitis que con los exámenes paraclínicos se excluyen otros patógenos, por lo que se atribuyen a una encefalitis posvacunal.

Positive perception of COVID-19 vaccination in HAE: No significant impact of vaccination on disease course.

Background: There are some adverse effects with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, but the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on attacks in hereditary angioedema (HAE) is not well defined. Objective: We aimed to investigate the influence of COVID-19 vaccination on the course of HAE. Method: The COVID-19 vaccination status was determined in 140 adult patients with HAE. The number and severity of attacks recorded from patients' diaries were evaluated at four different periods, comprising 1 month before the first dose, the period between the first and the second doses of COVID-19 vaccine in all the patients, the period between the second dose and the third doses in those who received three doses, and 1 month after the last vaccination dose. The disease and attack severities were assessed with the disease severity score (DSS) and 10-point visual analog scale, respectively. The patients were divided into two main groups as group 1 (those who had at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines [n = 114]) and group 2 (those who had no vaccination [n = 26]). Only Sinovac and Biontech, which were only approved in Turkey. Results: The mean ± standard deviation DSS was significantly higher in the patients who experienced an attack after vaccination within 48 hours (6.61 ± 1.88 versus 4.14 ± 1.69; p < 0.001). Long-term prophylaxis was less common in the patients with an increased number of attacks (n = 5 (27.8%) versus n = 54 (56.3%); p = 0.027). The number of patients with less than a high school education was higher in group 2 (n = 23 [88.5%]) than in group 1 (n = 26 [3.1%]) (p < 0.001). The number of patients who had concerns about the triggering of a vaccine-induced HAE attack or about the possible vaccine adverse effects was higher in group 2 (n = 26 [100%]) than in group 1 (n = 74 [64.9%]). Conclusion: It seems that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase HAE attacks regardless of the type of the vaccines. We recommend that HAE activity should be under control before COVID-19 vaccination, and the patients should be well informed about the safety of the vaccines.

Active Symptom-Based Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Immunization Among Individuals Vaccinated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Coronavirus Vaccine in a Tertiary Hospital of Kerala.

The reports on adverse experiences following vaccination are scanty from India. It is important to know the real-world post-vaccination experience outside of clinical trial conditions. The study aims to estimate the incidence of adverse events following immunization with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 coronavirus vaccine and to identify the predictors for the development of vaccine adverse events. A prospective observational study was conducted among health care workers who received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 coronavirus vaccine. Study participants were monitored at the site for 30 min following vaccination and were followed up for 7 days after receiving the second dose, with a purpose-specific designed online surveillance form to enquire about any adverse events following vaccination. We used the Chi-squared test for categorical variables and multivariate regression analysis to identify predictors for the development of vaccine adverse effects. Of 411 participants, the mean age was 30.77 ± 12.5 years and 76.2% were females. Overall, 207 (50.4%) respondents reported at least one post-vaccination symptom receiving either dose of coronavirus vaccination. Fever (34.8%), local pain at the injection site (28.0%), tiredness (25.5%), chills (20%), myalgia (18.7%), headache (17.8%), injection site stiffness (5.4%), joint pain (4.6%) and nausea-vomiting (3.8%) were the most prevalent symptoms following the first dose. Adverse reactions reported after the second dose were milder and less frequent. Postvaccination symptoms were more likely in the younger age group, those with comorbidity particularly, bronchial asthma , and a history of allergy to food/drugs. All the adverse reactions were of a minor type and non-serious. Side effects were less common in older adults (>60 years). Reactions to the second dose were lesser in intensity and frequency. Younger age, history of allergy, and comorbidities, particularly asthma, were found to be major predictors for the development of adverse events and require more watchful vaccine administration.

Higher COVID-19 Vaccination And Narrower Disparities In US Cities With Paid Sick Leave Compared To Those Without.

Paid sick leave provides workers with paid time off to receive COVID-19 vaccines and to recover from potential vaccine adverse effects. We hypothesized that US cities with paid sick leave would have higher COVID-19 vaccination coverage and narrower coverage disparities than those without such policies. Using county-level vaccination data and paid sick leave data from thirty-seven large US cities in 2021, we estimated the association between city-level paid sick leave policies and vaccination coverage in the working-age population and repeated the analysis using coverage in the population ages sixty-five and older as a negative control. We also examined associations by neighborhood social vulnerability. Cities with a paid sick leave policy had 17percent higher vaccination coverage than cities without such a policy. We found stronger associations between paid sick leave and vaccination in the most socially vulnerable neighborhoods compared with the least socially vulnerable ones, and no association in the population ages sixty-five and older. Paid sick leave policies are associated with higher COVID-19 vaccination coverage and narrower coverage disparities. Increasing access to these policies may help increase vaccination and reduce inequities in coverage.

Evaluation of the Perceptions, Attitudes and Practices among Greek Non-Professional Athletes Visiting a Public Hospital during March 2022, towards COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Consequences on Sports Training and Sports Activity.

Sports have been majorly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. After the lockdown period, vaccination and protocols were implemented to return to normality. We aimed to assess the attitudes and practices related to COVID-19 vaccination among athletes, and to record adverse effects of vaccination, if any. A questionnaire was distributed to 1012 male and female athletes, 15+ years old, within the region of Athens. Vaccination coverage with at least one dose was 93.5%, whereas 53.9% were fully vaccinated. More than half of the participants were infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the time of the study. More than 90% of the participants, considered the vaccines as safe, effective and important for public health. Concern about potential side-effects was raised especially by women athletes (59.1% of women compared to 42.2% of men, p &lt; 0.001). The main reasons for avoiding vaccination were fear of vaccine safety, concern about the short time period for vaccine development and testing and doubt of risk of being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The main reported side-effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue, fever and headache. Approximately two thirds of the participants reported that vaccination did not affect their training, and none reported missing participation in scheduled athletic events. Participants reported high compliance to preventive measures by themselves and fellow athletes, but low satisfaction regarding the implementation of public protocols and the flow of information provided by the authorities. Athletes of older age and those less concerned about potential side-effects were more likely to get fully vaccinated. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the athletes in our study were vaccinated for COVID-19 despite any hesitation regarding effectiveness, safety, or potential side-effects from the vaccines.

Training needs assessment of European healthcare workers on vaccinology and vaccine acceptance

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of interaction with those that are taking decisions around vaccination. They need adequate training. The general aim of this systematic review is to assess HCWs’ training needs on vaccinology and vaccine acceptance. This work was performed for the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) under the specific contract No 1ECD.12108 ID.12922 implementing the framework contract number ECDC/2021/005. Methods The search was performed using MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar databases in February 2022. The following inclusion criteria were used: date (from 01/01/2011 to 24/02/2022); language (English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Romanian); geographic location of the study (Europe). Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS checklist) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included papers. Results The scientific literature search retrieved 640 results on PubMed, 556 on Scopus and 15 on Google Scholar. In total, 1211 records were identified. After the duplicate removal and the title/abstract assessment, 132 publications were assessed for eligibility. Finally, after the full-text assessment, only 25 articles were included. As regards for the quality assessment, all studies were judged of moderate-good quality. The majority of studies stressed the need to deepen general knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases, vaccine efficacy, vaccination schedule and adverse effects of vaccines. Conclusions Considering their role in the community, especially as source of information and trust for vaccine acceptance, educational initiatives in vaccinology and vaccine hesitancy should be prioritized for HCWs, aimed at increasing their knowledge, awareness, and attitudes. An important heterogeneity of educational backgrounds, activities performed and training needs of the HCWs involved in vaccination at European level was one of the main critical issue to be addressed for future actions. Key messages

Comparison between recommended and mandatory vaccine uptake during adolescence in Italy

Abstract Background Immunization programs are key preventive interventions and have largely contributed to reducing the burden of infectious diseases and decreasing related morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. The study aimed to investigate coverage regarding diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (dTap) - Inactivated Poliomyelitis Vaccine (IPV) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine and attitudes towards vaccinations among undergraduate university students in Southern Italy. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 327 students through an anonymous online questionnaire and included socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes towards vaccinations overall and specifically on dTap-IPV and HPV, reasons for having received or not vaccinations and willingness to receive vaccinations. Results One third of the students were concerned about serious adverse effects of vaccines and 95% believed that vaccines for uncommon diseases are useless. During adolescence, 89% of the sample received the mandatory dTap-IPV vaccine booster. Among unvaccinated students, 45% were unwilling to get vaccinated against dTap-IPV because they believed not to be at risk of infection (59%) and had lack of recommendation (35.3%). Regarding vaccination against HPV, 67% had received the recommended schedule. Among those who did not receive it, 34% were unwilling to get vaccinated because they did not feel at risk of HPV infection (41%). Interestingly, 16% of the sample disclosed some barriers to access vaccination centers. Moreover, 30% declared that HPV vaccination was discouraged by healthcare professionals (HCPs). Conclusions Vaccination uptake is worryingly low and national objective coverage seems not still achieved. Likewise, risk perception of vaccine-preventable diseases was low and it seems negatively impact on the intention to get vaccinated. Improving vaccine confidence among HCPs is crucial as they have been shown to have the potential to influence patient vaccination uptake. Key messages

A RARE CASE OF PLEURODYNIA AFTER THE COVID-19 VACCINE

A RARE CASE OF PLEURODYNIA AFTER THE COVID-19 VACCINE

Perception Of Adverse Reactions after COVID-19 Vaccine Receipt among High School Students in Klongsamwa District in Bangkok

Background: Thailand is currently in the midst of a spike of new infections. Guidance from WHO Thailand regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China.The spread of COVID-19 has caused many deaths. We can prevent COVID-19 infection by vaccination because vaccination will help alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Side effects of getting vaccinations are tiredness,headache,muscle pain,chills,fever and nausea. Objective:To assess adverse effects of vaccination among high school students in Bangkok Study Methods: The study was conducted during february-april 2021. A total of 160 students participated. COVID-19 related knowledge, stress Level after COVID-19 vaccine receiptand and perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination were assessed. Differences between outcomes and sociodemographics were analysed through independent t-test and the ANOVA. For perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination were analysed by a generalised linear model. Result: From the respondents 160 people it was found the respondents have knowledge about the COVID-19 was at a moderate (M=7.71, SD=1.70), Stress Level after COVID-19 Vaccine receipt was at a low level (M=5.69 , SD=2.45) and Perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination was a low level (M=10.74 , SD=3.24). There were positive correlation between Stress Level after COVID-19 Vaccine receipt and Perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination (r=0.665) and a negative correlation between Vaccine related knowledge and Perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination (r=-0.228). Predictive factors of Perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination were gender (Bate=.157, p<0.01) and Stress Level after COVID-19 Vaccine receipt (Bate=.662, p<0.01). Conclusion: COVID-19 related participants knowledge about the COVID-19 was at a moderate level , participants stress level after COVID-19 vaccine was at a low level and participants perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination was low. There were positive correlation between Stress Level after COVID-19 Vaccine receipt and Perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination (r=0.665) and a negative correlation between Vaccine related knowledge and Perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination (r=-0.228). Predictive factors of Perception of adverse effects after receipt of COVID-19 vaccination were gender (Bate=.157, p<0.01) and Stress Level after COVID-19 Vaccine receipt (Bate=.662, p<0.01). level. From the results, it is recommended that more information about COVID-19 should be spread in the news and respondents should study about this epidemic for their own benefit.

Pengaruh Pemberitaan Efek Samping Vaksin Terhadap Minat Masyarakat Untuk Melakukan Vaksinasi

&#x0D; The advantages and drawbacks of how the general public views the anticipated adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, which some are concerned about when immunized, are the driving forces behind this research. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how news of vaccine adverse effects affects vaccination interest. The sample of this study was 88 respondents as research participants. The technique used is descriptive quantitative, which combines direct linear regression analysis, using the theory of Uses and Effects. Karangligar Village residents who have never been vaccinated participated in this study. Simple linear regression was employed in this study to evaluate the data. According to the study's findings, there is a substantial relationship between the news's fervor and Karangligar Village residents' enthusiasm in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. And the interest in immunizing the residents of Karangligar Village is significantly influenced by the media's coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine's negative effects.&#x0D; Keywords: News; COVID-19; Vaccination

Pengaruh Pemberitaan Efek Samping Vaksin Terhadap Minat Masyarakat Untuk Melakukan Vaksinasi

&#x0D; The advantages and drawbacks of how the general public views the anticipated adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, which some are concerned about when immunized, are the driving forces behind this research. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how news of vaccine adverse effects affects vaccination interest. The sample of this study was 88 respondents as research participants. The technique used is descriptive quantitative, which combines direct linear regression analysis, using the theory of Uses and Effects. Karangligar Village residents who have never been vaccinated participated in this study. Simple linear regression was employed in this study to evaluate the data. According to the study's findings, there is a substantial relationship between the news's fervor and Karangligar Village residents' enthusiasm in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. And the interest in immunizing the residents of Karangligar Village is significantly influenced by the media's coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine's negative effects.&#x0D; Keywords: News; COVID-19; Vaccination

Immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccines

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a major public health concern causing devastating sociological, economic, and psychological damage to livelihood all over the world. The most intense severity of COVID-19 is not only acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), it also causes multi-organ failure, the post-infection secondary effect as well as death. The fast-mutating ability and high transmissibility rate of the virus cause emergence of the new variants and also the occurrence of breakthrough infections. Evidence suggests that vaccination against COVID-19 has been effective at preventing the severity of illness, hospitalization, and death. The efficacy of vaccines depends on multiple factors including the host’s ability to mount a robust and sustainable immune response, the virus’s ability to mutate its genome, and programmatic factors such as vaccine dose, storage, dosing schedules, etc. In this article, an overview of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, its pathogenesis, host immune responses to infection, and different type of COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccine efficacy and adverse effects are described.

Immunogenicity and safety of two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination via different platforms in kidney transplantation recipients.

After kidney transplantation, patients exhibit a poor response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. However, the efficacy and adverse effects of vaccines based on different platforms in these patients remain unclear. We prospectively analyzed both anti-spike protein antibody and cellular responses 1 month after the first and second doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in 171 kidney transplant patients. Four vaccines, including one viral vector (ChAdOx1 nCov-19, n = 30), two mRNA (mRNA1273, n = 81 and BNT162b2, n = 38), and one protein subunit (MVC-COV1901, n = 22) vaccines were administered. Among the four vaccines, mRNA1273 elicited the strongest humoral response and induced the highest interferon-γ levels in patients with a positive cellular response against the spike protein. Antiproliferative agents were negatively associated with both the antibody and cellular responses. A transient elevation in creatinine levels was noted in approximately half of the patients after the first dose of mRNA1273 or ChadOx1, and only one of them presented with borderline cellular rejection without definite causality to vaccination. In conclusion, mRNA1273 had better immunogenicity than the other vaccines. Further, renal function needs to be carefully monitored after vaccination, and vaccination strategies should be tailored according to the transplant status and vaccine characteristics.

In ongoing efforts to vaccinate communities against COVID-19, pharmacists must address fear and misinformation

In ongoing efforts to vaccinate communities against COVID-19, pharmacists must address fear and misinformation

A multidisciplinary effort to increase COVID-19 vaccination among the older adults.

BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of infection and its associated morbidity and mortality. However, poor uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination was reported among the high-risk group of older people amidst emerging variants of concern. This community case study reports an outreach program in Singapore, COVE (COVID-19 Vaccination for the Elderly) initiated by healthcare workers in a cluster of primary care clinics. They assessed the vaccine hesitancy among these older persons, addressed their concerns and facilitated their vaccination appointment during a brief phone conversation.MethodTwenty one thousand six hundred and sixty three unvaccinated adults aged ≥60 years were contacted by healthcare worker volunteers over two phases from June to October 2021. In phase I, they contacted adults aged above 70 years over 2 weeks. Adults who were uncontactable in phase I and those aged 60–69 years were sent SMS in phase II. Data were analyzed via descriptive data analysis.ResultsAfter phase 1, 65.5% (n = 5,646/8,617) of older adults had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The respondents expressed intention to vaccinate (39%, n = 3,390), requested to seek further information (25%, n = 2,138), reported access barrier (8%, n = 715), or were concerned of the vaccine adverse effects (3%, n = 288). Vaccination was refused by 24% (n = 2,086) of the respondents. Eventually 60.4% (n = 13,082/21,663) of them were vaccinated 3 months after COVE implementation.ConclusionThe COVE program increased the COVID-19 vaccination uptake of older adults from 84.6 to 96.3%. A person-centric proactive approach by healthcare workers addressed vaccine hesitancy and optimized vaccination. The outreach scheduling of vaccination appointments is key in promoting vaccination uptake among older adults.