COVID-19 Vaccination Programs Research Articles

COVID-19 Vaccination and Incidence of Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Hospitalization

A SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was approved for adolescents aged 12 to 15 years on May 10, 2021, with approval for younger age groups following thereafter. The population level impact of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination program has not yet been established. To identify whether California's pediatric COVID-19 immunization program was associated with changes in pediatric COVID-19 incidence and hospitalizations. A case series on COVID-19 vaccination including children aged 6 months to 15 years was conducted in California. Data were obtained on COVID-19 cases in California between April 1, 2020, and February 27, 2023. Postvaccination evaluation periods spanned 141 days (June 10 to October 29, 2021) for adolescents aged 12 to 15 years, 199 days (November 29, 2021, to June 17, 2022) for children aged 5 to 11 years, and 225 days (July 17, 2022, to February 27, 2023) for those aged 6 to 59 months. During these periods, statewide vaccine coverage reached 53.5% among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years, 34.8% among children aged 5 to 11 years, and 7.9% among those aged 6 to 59 months. Age-stepped implementation of COVID-19 vaccination was used to compare observed county-level incidence and hospitalization rates during periods when each age group became vaccine eligible to counterfactual rates predicted from observations among other age groups. COVID-19 case and hospitalization data were obtained from the California reportable disease surveillance system. Between April 1, 2020, and February 27, 2023, a total of 3 913 063 pediatric COVID-19 cases and 12 740 hospitalizations were reported in California. Reductions of 146 210 cases (95% prediction interval [PI], 136 056-158 948) were estimated among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years, corresponding to a 37.1% (35.5%-39.1%) reduction from counterfactual predictions. Reductions of 230 134 (200 170-265 149) cases were estimated among children aged 5 to 11 years, corresponding to a 23.7% (20.6%-27.3%) reduction from counterfactual predictions. No evidence of reductions in COVID-19 cases statewide were found among children aged 6 to 59 months (estimated averted cases, -259; 95% PI, -1938 to 1019), although low transmission during the evaluation period may have limited the ability to do so. An estimated 168 hospitalizations (95% PI, 42-324) were averted among children aged 6 to 59 months, corresponding to a 24.4% (95% PI, 6.1%-47.1%) reduction. In meta-analyses, county-level vaccination coverage was associated with averted cases for all age groups. Despite low vaccination coverage, pediatric COVID-19 immunization in California averted 376 085 (95% PI, 348 355-417 328) reported cases and 273 (95% PI, 77-605) hospitalizations among children aged 6 months to 15 years over approximately 4 to 7 months following vaccination availability. The findings of this case series analysis of 3 913 063 cases suggest reduced pediatric SARS-CoV-2 transmission following immunization. These results support the use of COVID-19 vaccines to reduce COVID-19 incidence and hospitalization in pediatric populations.

Immunogenicity of COVID-19 booster vaccination in IEI patients and their one year clinical follow-up after start of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the majority of patients with an inborn error of immunity (IEI) develop a spike (S)-specific IgG antibody and T-cell response after two doses of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine, but little is known about the response to a booster vaccination. We studied the immune responses 8 weeks after booster vaccination with mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines in 171 IEI patients. Moreover, we evaluated the clinical outcomes in these patients one year after the start of the Dutch COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This study was embedded in a large prospective multicenter study investigating the immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines in IEI (VACOPID study). Blood samples were taken from 244 participants 8 weeks after booster vaccination. These participants included 171 IEI patients (X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA;N=11), combined immunodeficiency (CID;N=4), common variable immunodeficiency (CVID;N=45), isolated or undefined antibody deficiencies (N=108) and phagocyte defects (N=3)) and 73 controls. SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG titers, neutralizing antibodies, and T-cell responses were evaluated. One year after the start of the COVID-19 vaccination program, 334 study participants (239 IEI patients and 95 controls) completed a questionnaire to supplement their clinical data focusing on SARS-CoV-2 infections. After booster vaccination, S-specific IgG titers increased in all COVID-19 naive IEI cohorts and controls, when compared to titers at 6 months after the priming regimen. The fold-increases did not differ between controls and IEI cohorts. SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses also increased equally in all cohorts after booster vaccination compared to 6 months after the priming regimen. Most SARS-CoV-2 infections during the study period occurred in the period when the Omicron variant had become dominant. The clinical course of these infections was mild, although IEI patients experienced more frequent fever and dyspnea compared to controls and their symptoms persisted longer. Our study demonstrates that mRNA-based booster vaccination induces robust recall of memory B-cell and T-cell responses in most IEI patients. One-year clinical follow-up demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infections in IEI patients were mild. Given our results, we support booster campaigns with newer variant-specific COVID-19 booster vaccines to IEI patients with milder phenotypes.

Policies and cultural beliefs: Community perceptions about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Indonesia.

Vaccine hesitancy is a global concern and a significant threat to COVID-19 vaccination programs. This study aimed to explore vaccine hesitancy from the perspective of the Indonesian community related to policies and cultural beliefs. A descriptive qualitative approach was utilized in this study. Twenty participants were recruited from various settings to ensure the representation of experiences in different contexts in Indonesia. Audio-recorded, semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews were carried out. Content analysis was performed to identify the main key themes. Twenty participants were recruited from various regions of Java Island, Indonesia. The participants revealed hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine, including the themes of mistrust, controversy, and the culture and beliefs of the community. This study highlights COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Indonesia, which may have implications for the community's perceptions and beliefs regarding the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. The trust issue remains a major challenge to convincing the community to accept the vaccine at the grassroots level. Targeted education and communication strategies are essential in addressing trust issues surrounding COVID-19 vaccines among critical stakeholders and religious leaders in Indonesia. Public health nursing plays a crucial role in fostering community acceptance and ensuring the success of vaccination programs.

Effectiveness of the Sanofi/GSK (VidPrevtyn Beta) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5) bivalent vaccines against hospitalisation in England

The Sanofi/GSK AS03-adjuvanted (VidPrevtyn Beta) vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA (Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5) bivalent vaccine were offered to adults aged 75 years and over in England from 3rd April 2023. This is the first time an adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine has been administered as part of a UK COVID-19 vaccination programme. In clinical trials, antibody levels generated were comparable with mRNA vaccines but there are no real-world data on the effectiveness or duration of protection. We used a test-negative case-control study design to estimate the incremental vaccine effectiveness of the Sanofi/GSK and Pfizer bivalent BA.4-5 boosters against hospitalisation amongst those aged 75 years and older in England. Cases (those testing positive) and controls (those testing negative) were identified from the national COVID-19 PCR testing data undertaken in hospital settings. The study period included tests from 3rd April 2023 to 27th August 2023. Tests were linked to the COVID-19 vaccination register and to the national hospital admission database, restricting to those with an acute respiratory infection coded in the primary diagnosis field. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated using multivariable logistic regression amongst those who had last received an autumn 2022 booster given at least 3 months prior. The test result was the outcome and vaccination status the exposure. Analyses were adjusted for week of test, gender, age, clinical risk group status, care home resident status, region, index of multiple deprivation, ethnicity, influenza vaccination status and recent COVID-19 positivity. There were 14,169 eligible tests from hospitalised individuals aged 75 years and older; 3005 cases (positive tests) and 11,164 controls (negative tests). Effectiveness was highest in the period 9-13 days post vaccination for both manufacturers at about 50%; 43.7% (95% CI, 20.1-60.3%) and 56.1% (95% CI, 25.2-74.2%) for Sanofi/GSK and Pfizer BA.4-5, respectively. There was evidence of waning with a reduction to about 30% for both manufacturers after 5-9 weeks. The longest time interval post vaccination for which we were able to estimate effectiveness was 10+ weeks post vaccination, at which point vaccine effectiveness was 17.6% (95% CI,-3.6 to 34.5%) and 37.9% (95% CI, 13.2-55.5%) for the Sanofi/GSK and Pfizer BA.4-5 boosters, respectively. Both boosters provided good protection against hospitalisation amongst older adults. The finding that the adjuvanted vaccine targeting the distant Beta strain had similar effectiveness to the bivalent mRNA vaccine targeting more closely matched Omicron sub-lineages is notable and highlights the need for further real-world studies into the effectiveness of vaccines from different vaccine platforms and formulations in the presence of matched and unmatched strains. No external funding.

Associations between food groups and biomarkers of inflammation: Are some foods groups more protective than others?

The consumption of healthy foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, dairy, and fish is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is an inflammatory disease caused by atherosclerosis. Inflammation is measured clinically using hsCRP, however hsCRP is not specific to CVD. Novel pro-inflammatory markers, such as platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), have garnered attention due to their specific roles in endothelial dysfunction and CVD risk. During the COVID 19 outbreak research highlighted a potential interaction between PAF and Lp-PLA2 and the SARS COVID 19 virus(1-3) and related adenovirus-vector and mRNA vaccines.4 This cross-sectional study investigated the association between PAF, Lp-PLA2, hsCRP, and intake of healthy food groups including fruit, cruciferous and other vegetables, grains, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, nuts and legumes, and dairy in 100 adults (49 ± 13 years, 31% male) with variable CVD risk. Data were collected across four groups during May and July 2021 (Groups 1 and 2 - CVD risk factors) and January and April 2022 (Groups 3 and 4 - no CVD risk factors). Fasting PAF, Lp-PLA2 and hsCRP and usual dietary intake (food frequency questionnaire) were measured. Food intake was converted into serves and classified into food groups. Correlations and multiple regressions were performed. Contrary to expectations, mean PAF was lower for groups 1 and 2 (n = 46, mean PAF 3.31 ± 1.66 ng/mL) compared to groups 3 and 4 (n = 54, mean PAF 19.82 ± 12.95 ng/mL) p < 0.001 with a large effect size (eta squared 0.665). Cruciferous vegetables were associated with lower levels of PAF (β = -.27, CI [−0.41, −0.14], p < .001) with a one serve increase in cruciferous vegetables per day associated with an 24% reduction in PAF. Nuts and legumes were associated with lower levels of hsCRP (β = -.51, CI [−0.81, −0.22], p<.001) with an increase of one serve per day associated with a 40% reduction in hsCRP. There were small inverse associations between cheese and both PAF (β = -.15, CI [−0.27, −0.03], p = .017) and Lp-PLA2 (β = -.26, CI [−0.47, −0.04], p = .024), however these were not significant at the Bonferroni-adjusted P<.005 level. In conclusion, cruciferous vegetables and nut and legume consumption were associated with lower levels of inflammation. The lack of associations between PAF and Lp-PLA2 and other healthy foods may be due to confounding by COVID-19 infection and vaccination programs which prevents any firm conclusion on the relationship between PAF, Lp-PLA2 and food groups. Future research should aim to examine the relationship with these novel markers and healthy food groups in a non-pandemic setting.

A survey of state and local practices encouraging pediatric COVID-19 vaccination of children ages 6 months through 11 years

ObjectiveThis report highlights state and local practices for optimizing the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination program for children ages 6 months through 11 years. MethodsState and local practices designed to optimize pediatric COVID-19 vaccine uptake were identified from a range of sources, including immunization program, CDC, and partner staff; and media stories or program descriptions identified via online searches. ResultsA range of practices were identified across different categories: provider-focused practices, school-based practices, jurisdiction or health department-based activities, community-focused practices involving partners, use of vaccination incentives, and Medicaid-related practices. ConclusionsImmunization programs and stakeholders implemented a variety of practices to meet the challenge of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination program. The key findings may serve to inform not only the current pediatric COVID-19 vaccination program, but also future outbreak response work and routine immunization activities.

'We're at war.' Healthcare workers' experience with organisational change, uncertainty and vaccine hesitancy in 2021 and 2022 during the COVID-19 vaccination programe in Poland.

This article analyses the organisation of the mass COVID-19 vaccination programme in Poland and its consequences for various aspects of the social identity of healthcare workers (HCWs). Based on 31 in-depth interviews with HCWs, our study reveals the following: (1) Certain elements of the programme (inclusion of other healthcare professionals like pharmacists and laboratory diagnosticians as vaccinators) and the provision of additional infrastructure (pharmacies and shopping malls) may prompt scepticism and criticism in physicians and nurses who feel challenged about their professional autonomy and hierarchies; (2) Given the high levels of professional uncertainty, the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination is forcing HCWs to revise their attitude to medical standards, resulting in specific responses and adaptation strategies (ranging from the active involvement in the programme due to the sense of mission, to more or less evident scepticism); and (3) Confronting vaccine hesitancy, both among patients and other HCWs, contributes to the feeling of helplessness, leading to criticism of policymakers.

A qualitative inquiry on drivers of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adults in Kenya.

COVID-19 vaccination rates have been low among adults in Kenya (36.7% as of late March 2023) with vaccine hesitancy posing a threat to the COVID-19 vaccination program. This study sought to examine facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccinations in Kenya. We conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study in two purposively selected counties in Kenya. We collected data through 8 focus group discussions with 80 community members and 8 in-depth interviews with health care managers and providers. The data was analyzed using a framework approach focusing on determinants of vaccine hesitancy and their influence on psychological constructs. Barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake were related to individual characteristics (males, younger age, perceived health status, belief in herbal medicine, and the lack of autonomy in decision making among women - especially in rural settings), contextual influences (lifting of bans, myths, medical mistrust, cultural and religious beliefs), and COVID-19 vaccine related factors (fear of unknown consequences, side-effects, lack of understanding on how vaccines work and rationale for boosters). However, community health volunteers, trusted leaders, mandates, financial and geographic access influenced COVID-19 vaccine uptake. These drivers of hesitancy mainly related to psychological constructs including confidence, complacency, and constraints. Vaccine hesitancy in Kenya is driven by multiple interconnected factors. These factors are likely to inform evidence-based targeted strategies that are built on trust to address vaccine hesitancy. These strategies could include gender responsive immunization programs, appropriate messaging and consistent communication that target fear, safety concerns, misconceptions and information gaps in line with community concerns. There is need to ensure that the strategies are tested in the local setting and incorporate a multisectoral approach including community health volunteers, religious leaders and community leaders.

Acceptance and Practice to COVID-19 Vaccination Among Rural Population in Indonesia

As one of the strategies to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 since January 2021, the Indonesian Government has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination program. When this research was carried out in the first semester of 2022, the achievement of COVID-19 vaccination target was not yet reach the expected target due to many people were afraid and refused to be vaccinated. The research aims to determine the acceptance and practice of COVID-19 vaccination in rural communities located in Banyumas Regency, Central Java in 2022. This was a cross-sectional study based on electronic survey data distributed to residents (aged ≥ 15 years) of Tunjung Village, Jatilawang Sub-district between May 27, 1 - June 10, 2022. The study sample size was 211 respondents using the quota sampling technique. We used the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. The research results show that the majority (69%) of respondents stated that they received the COVID-19 vaccination and around 79.6% of those who received it had received the COVID-19 vaccination. Chi-square statistical analysis shows that the variables gender, education, knowledge about COVID-19, knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination, perceived severity of COVID-19, perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, and perceived self-efficacy towards COVID-19 vaccination are related. significantly impact acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination. Perception of self-efficacy towards COVID-19 vaccination is the strongest driving factor for acceptance (POR: 5.45). In the multivariate test, the most dominant variable influencing vaccine acceptance was the variable perception of self-efficacy towards vaccination after controlling for the knowledge variable. A significant relationship was obtained between receipt of COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination practices. It was concluded that acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination is closely related to the level of knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination, and the higher acceptance encourages the practice of carrying out COVID-19 vaccination. It is recommended that to increase acceptance and practice of Covid vaccination it is necessary to increase the population's knowledge regarding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine by increasing education and promotion of the COVID-19 vaccination program through electronic media, especially television and social media.

Random walk tests for the MENA stock returns

Purpose — The current study seeks to understand whether individual stock returns exhibit random movement and are not dependent (efficient at weak form) on fourteen out of sixteen actively traded Arab stock markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, based on the size of the market value.Method — Various non-parametric methods, including autocorrelation test, variance ratio test, Phillips-Perron unit root test, and runs test, are used to assess the random walk hypothesis for daily data following the Covid-19 vaccination program. This analysis covers the period from January 3, 2021, to March 28, 2023.Result — The study results present evidence that all individual stock returns deviate from random walk behavior. However, only Kuwait, Jordan, and Palestine stock returns follow the random walk based on the run test results at a significance level of 10%. Therefore, it can be concluded that all stock returns are inefficient at the weak-form, suggesting that investors have opportunities for unexpected gains.Practical implications — The findings of this study suggest that investors in the MENA region may have opportunities for unexpected gains, as individual stock returns deviate from random walk behavior, highlighting the importance of considering market dynamics and employing informed investment strategies. Additionally, policymakers could benefit from understanding the inefficiencies in stock returns to implement measures that promote market stability and efficiency.

Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Saskatchewan, Canada: A Developmental Evaluation Approach

Background The Developmental Evaluation of a COVID-19 vaccination program was an early response to assess a complex emergent mass vaccination program to support learning and adaptation. Objective The primary objective of a multi-disciplinary team of researcher-evaluators was to facilitate organizational learning among key stakeholders to improve decision-making and increase vaccine uptake in Saskatchewan, Canada. Methods Aligned with the Developmental Evaluation approach, data collection was rooted in adjustment and flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the vaccination program. Data were primarily collected using meeting observations and program documentation. As the program progressed, the data collection was adjusted, and two surveys were conducted targeting COVID-19 vaccine recipients and vaccine immunizers. Data were analyzed iteratively in consultation with stakeholders. Results Nine feedback reports were generated over a nine-month evaluation period. Seven reports highlighted meeting observation results that revealed the program issues, probable causes, and implications. The evolving issues ranged from vaccine shortage, delay, and supply fluctuation to inter-organizational miscommunication and vaccine hesitancy. Two reports were produced from survey findings to delve into the persistent issue of vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion Effective solutions to complex issues of Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 mass immunization require a systems approach based on new ways of thinking and collective decision-making.

Marginalisation and distrust in the context of the COVID-19 vaccination programme: experiences of communities in a northern UK city region

BackgroundThere are clear inequalities in COVID − 19 vaccination rates amongst marginalised groups, with lower rates for some minoritised ethnic and religious groups, younger people, those living in more deprived areas, and with lower socio-economic status. Existing research focuses on psychological and socio-economic factors that influence vaccine uptake and does not explore broader social and historical contexts. Understanding inequalities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake requires a critical examination of the drivers of, and barriers to, vaccination.MethodsWe present findings from a co-designed qualitative research study undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus groups and interviews were used to examine the context underpinning responses to the COVID-19 vaccination in Greater Manchester, particularly focussing on experiences of marginalisation. Thematic framework analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsWe found that the public’s responses to the COVID-19 vaccination programme are intertwined with a longstanding history of institutional distrust and disenfranchisement, resulting from experiences of marginalisation and social inequalities. This was exacerbated further by the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on minoritised ethnic groups, younger people, and those with existing health conditions.ConclusionsHistories of structural inequalities experienced by minoritised groups invoked feelings of suspicion and scepticism at the motivations of the agencies behind the vaccination rollout. This highlights the need for a contextualised analysis of attitudes to vaccines, considering pre-existing inequalities, which may be especially relevant for conceptualising public responses to the vaccination programme. Finally, our study shows the important ways in which public (dis)trust can impact public health policies. We recommend this should be incorporated into responses to future public health crises.

Highlighting models of Indigenous leadership and self-governance for COVID-19 vaccination programmes

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Indigenous populations worldwide placing much importance on rapid and equitable vaccination. Nevertheless, many Indigenous communities have reported high vaccine hesitancy and low COVID-19 vaccine uptake. This may be attributed to various factors, including a lack of support for Indigenous leadership efforts to protect their communities and the pervasive infodemic targeting First Nations Peoples. In August 2022, we hosted an international symposium to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous community leaders, clinicians, and researchers to discuss pandemic experiences and lessons learnt. This commentary highlights examples of harnessing Indigenous leadership and self-governance to design and deliver tailored community-based and culturally appropriate COVID-19 vaccination programmes that improved vaccine uptake in Australia and Canada. These case studies demonstrate that Indigenous social-governance systems need to be valued, respected, and upheld if we are to make meaningful efforts to address health inequities among Indigenous communities during future pandemics.

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations.

Vaccines are important to improve immunity against pathogens and diseases. The current COVID-19 disease is rapidly evolving and spreading among people; therefore, it is important to utilize a proper vaccination strategy against it. Currently, many approved vaccines are available and accessible; however, there is a reported hesitancy against taking them among the public and even the health care workers. Mainly, this is attributed to the fear of the possible side effects and complications. Moreover, inaccurate knowledge disseminated through the media/social media especially by those who lack proper expertise adds confusion and more fear that affects the vaccination decision. For such reasons, it is essential to find strategies to increase the acceptability of vaccines and to enhance confidence in the vaccination process. This should be accompanied by sufficient efforts and proper clinical studies to confirm the value and the safety of the vaccines. Those strategies are important to avoid the further spread of the COVID-19 disease and to abort the pandemic worldwide, especially when considering the likely approach towards a COVID-19 booster vaccination program, in which booster vaccines are re-taken along intervals to adequately contain the rapidly evolving nature of the virus. This review article highlights the factors influencing the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccination and enrollment in clinical trials among the public and some specific populations. Furthermore, it summarizes the suggested strategies and recommendations that can improve the attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination programs.

Parental vaccine hesitancy and acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine: An internet-based survey in the US and five Asian countries.

COVID-19 vaccination rates for children globally are relatively low. This study aimed to investigate parental vaccine hesitancy and parents' acceptance of a COVID-19 for their children for their children in the United States, China, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.We analyzed data from an opt-in, internet-based cross-sectional study (n = 23,940). Parents were asked about their acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine for their children, and if they would accept the vaccine with different risk and effectiveness profiles for themselves. Poisson regression was used to generate prevalence ratios (PR) of the relationship between vaccine acceptance for a child and vaccine profile, by country and waves and overall. Between August 2020 and June 2021, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance for children decreased in the United States (89% to 72%) and Taiwan (79% to 71%), increased in India (91% to 96%) and Malaysia (81% to 91%), and was stable in Indonesia (86%) and China (at 87%-90%). Vaccine risk and effectiveness profiles did not consistently affect parent's acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine for their children. Instead, being not hesitant was a large driver of vaccine acceptance (PR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.36). Adolescent COVID-19 vaccination have already been established in many high and middle-income countries, but our study suggests that there is a movement of vaccine hesitancy which could impede the success of future pediatric and adolescent COVID-19 vaccination programs.

Health Belief Model for Public Acceptance of Implementing COVID-19 Vaccination in Singkawang City, Indonesia

Background: The efficacy of immunization is contingent upon public acceptance. Using the behavioral theory of the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study seeks to determine intervention strategies against the most influential factor towards the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination program among the societies of Singkawang City. Methods: This investigation involved a cross-sectional design. The perceived severity, susceptibility, barriers, benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy were the independent variables. The dependent variable was the adoption of the COVID-19 vaccine by the public. Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Multivariate tests were used to present vaccine acceptance differences, relationships and impacts of each variable towards COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Results: There was a total of 461 participants in this study. For the majority of respondents (56.40%), COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among them remains modest. The difference between the low and high vaccination acceptance groups (p-value < 0.05) was revealed. Except for perceived severity, this study demonstrated that all HBM constructs had a significant relationship with vaccination acceptance (p-value < 0.05). In addition, the results of the logistic regression test indicated that the cues-to-action construct was the most influential factor in vaccine acceptance (OR= 7.156; CI, 95%= 4.107 – 12.469), followed by self-efficacy (OR=3.218; CI, 95%=1.819 – 5.694). Conclusion: Thus, health policymakers should focus on cues-to-action and self-efficacy factors for developing a strategy to increase vaccine acceptance among the Indonesian population by using current study results among the Singkawang population as a model to start the persuasion techniques.

Immune response to vaccination in people with psychotic disorders relative to healthy controls: prospective study of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

This prospective study examines the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with psychotic disorders compared with healthy volunteers. Participants were recruited naturalistically as part of the UK's COVID-19 vaccination programme. Prior to receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine, blood samples were provided by participants to examine anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins (IgG) at baseline, followed by a repeat assay 1 month after receiving their first vaccine to assess vaccine response. The increase of IgG levels from baseline to 1 month post-vaccination was significantly lower in patients compared with controls, supporting evidence of impaired vaccine response in people with psychotic disorders. When excluding patients treated with clozapine from the analysis, this difference was no longer significant, suggesting that effects may be particularly marked in people taking clozapine.

COVID-19 vaccines and adverse events of special interest: A multinational Global Vaccine Data Network (GVDN) cohort study of 99 million vaccinated individuals

BackgroundThe Global COVID Vaccine Safety (GCoVS) Project, established in 2021 under the multinational Global Vaccine Data Network™ (GVDN®), facilitates comprehensive assessment of vaccine safety. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of adverse events of special interest (AESI) following COVID-19 vaccination from 10 sites across eight countries. MethodsUsing a common protocol, this observational cohort study compared observed with expected rates of 13 selected AESI across neurological, haematological, and cardiac outcomes. Expected rates were obtained by participating sites using pre-COVID-19 vaccination healthcare data stratified by age and sex. Observed rates were reported from the same healthcare datasets since COVID-19 vaccination program rollout. AESI occurring up to 42 days following vaccination with mRNA (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) and adenovirus-vector (ChAdOx1) vaccines were included in the primary analysis. Risks were assessed using observed versus expected (OE) ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. Prioritised potential safety signals were those with lower bound of the 95 % confidence interval (LBCI) greater than 1.5. ResultsParticipants included 99,068,901 vaccinated individuals. In total, 183,559,462 doses of BNT162b2, 36,178,442 doses of mRNA-1273, and 23,093,399 doses of ChAdOx1 were administered across participating sites in the study period. Risk periods following homologous vaccination schedules contributed 23,168,335 person-years of follow-up. OE ratios with LBCI > 1.5 were observed for Guillain-Barré syndrome (2.49, 95 % CI: 2.15, 2.87) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (3.23, 95 % CI: 2.51, 4.09) following the first dose of ChAdOx1 vaccine. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis showed an OE ratio of 3.78 (95 % CI: 1.52, 7.78) following the first dose of mRNA-1273 vaccine. The OE ratios for myocarditis and pericarditis following BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1 were significantly increased with LBCIs > 1.5. ConclusionThis multi-country analysis confirmed pre-established safety signals for myocarditis, pericarditis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Other potential safety signals that require further investigation were identified.

Social determinants of spatial inequalities in COVID-19 outcomes across England: A multiscale geographically weighted regression analysis

A variety of factors are associated with greater COVID-19 morbidity or mortality, due to how these factors influence exposure to (in the case of morbidity) or severity of (in the case of mortality) COVID-19 infections. We use multiscale geographically weighted regression to study spatial variation in the factors associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates at the local authority level across England (UK). We investigate the period between March 2020 and March 2021, prior to the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program. We consider a variety of factors including demographic (e.g. age, gender, and ethnicity), health (e.g. rates of smoking, obesity, and diabetes), social (e.g. Index of Multiple Deprivation), and economic (e.g. the Gini coefficient and economic complexity index) factors that have previously been found to impact COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The Index of Multiple Deprivation has a significant impact on COVID-19 cases and deaths in all local authorities, although the effect is the strongest in the south of England. Higher proportions of ethnic minorities are associated with higher levels of COVID-19 mortality, with the strongest effect being found in the west of England. There is again a similar pattern in terms of cases, but strongest in the north of the country. Other factors including age and gender are also found to have significant effects on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, with differential spatial effects across the country. The results provide insights into how national and local policymakers can take account of localized factors to address spatial health inequalities and address future infectious disease pandemics.

Malaysian views on COVID-19 vaccination program: a sentiment analysis study using Twitter

This study aimed to analyze the opinions and emotions of Malaysians towards the COVID-19 vaccination program, as expressed on Twitter. By collecting data from the Twitter network and utilizing the machine learning life cycle technique. The results show that Malaysians have a mostly neutral viewpoint of the COVID-19 vaccination, with an accuracy score of 93%, an F1-score of 94%, a recall measurement of 94%, and a precision measure of 93%. These findings emphasize the significance of understanding public sentiment and perception towards crucial issues such as the COVID-19 vaccine and can be utilized to support healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public in making informed decisions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination program.