The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services developed Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIOs) with the priority of increasing nursing home residents' vaccine rates to prevent respiratory diseases including COVID-19, pneumonia, and influenza. The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) partnered with Pennsylvania's QIN-QIO to increase the rate of immunizations of nursing home residents across the state. To evaluate vaccination improvement rates in Pennsylvania nursing home residents after community pharmacist-led vaccination clinics. A retrospective analysis was conducted of data from pharmacist-led vaccination clinics conducted at Pennsylvania nursing homes between March 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025. Outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics. There were 68 vaccination clinics across 33 Pennsylvania nursing homes. Nineteen pharmacies administered 4,938 vaccines to nursing home residents including 2,193 COVID-19 vaccines, 1,193 pneumococcal, and 853 influenza vaccines. The average relative improvement rates among nursing home residents after the pharmacist-led clinics were 46.3% for influenza vaccines, 41.4% for COVID-19 vaccines, and 26.3% for pneumococcal vaccines. A partnership between a QIN-QIO and PPCN community pharmacies improved respiratory vaccination rates among nursing home residents in Pennsylvania. This study demonstrates that community pharmacists are well positioned to conduct vaccination clinics at nursing homes to improve vaccination rates.

Background A transient increase in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) incidence was observed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to assess new AAV diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic in a single-center cohort. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients newly diagnosed with AAV at a tertiary care university hospital in Northern Spain between January 2019 and December 2022. Cases were classified according to the 2022 American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (ACR/EULAR) criteria. Clinical and serologic data were collected, including antibody specificity for proteinase 3 (PR3-ANCA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO-ANCA), as well as the temporal relationship to SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination. Results A significant increase in AAV incidence was observed during the pandemic, rising from 22.4 cases per million in 2019 to 37.9 cases per million in 2021 ( p = 0.031). Approximately 40% of patients diagnosed during this period had a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection or had been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the preceding 3 months. By 2022, AAV incidence returned to pre-pandemic levels. Contrary to initial trends, demographic and clinical characteristics remained stable; no significant differences were observed in age, gender distribution, disease severity, or organ involvement between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. While a numerical increase in PR3-ANCA cases was noted during the pandemic, MPO-ANCA remained the predominant subtype. Conclusion The temporary but significant rise in AAV incidence suggests a possible temporal association with COVID-19 infection or vaccination. These findings underscore the need to conduct larger, multicentre studies to confirm these observations, investigate potential pathophysiological mechanisms, and improve clinical management approaches.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in pregnancy, but vaccine hesitancy limits uptake and effectiveness. This study explored COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy in Kilifi, coastal Kenya, to elicit reasons for vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, and to compile misconceptions around vaccination in pregnancy. Twenty-three in-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant women, mothers who had given birth in the previous 2 years and health workers (community health promoters, nurses, and supervisors). Data were analyzed using thematic template analysis based on the Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants Matrix. Concern about vaccine safety for the unborn baby was a major driver of hesitancy. Many pregnant women had limited knowledge of the potential benefits to the unborn baby, leading to postponing vaccination until after pregnancy. The initial government exclusion of pregnant women from vaccination led many to believe that vaccines were unsafe in pregnancy, long after the eligibility was revised. Aggressive promotion of the vaccine by the government was a source of mistrust and misconceptions. Integrating COVID-19 vaccination into routine antenatal care improved acceptance and development and dissemination of local guidelines boosted healthcare workers’ confidence in offering vaccines to pregnant women. Future rollouts of vaccines for pregnant women should consider vaccination within antenatal care clinics alongside other routine pregnancy vaccines to enhance vaccine acceptance.

Effect of completed COVID-19 vaccination on serum interferon λ3: a single-center retrospective study.

The use of storytelling in COVID-19 vaccine promotion: A scoping review of interventions and campaigns.

Immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with either simultaneous or sequentially administered inactivated influenza vaccines: a randomized clinical trial.

Background/Objectives: The rapid development of safe and efficacious vaccines is often hindered by extensive, mandated non-clinical safety evaluations in animals. With the aim to provide scientific evidence supporting a “vaccine platform approach”, here we present the complete non-clinical studies for two investigational vaccines, GRAd-COV2 and GRAdHIVNE1, based on GRAd, a gorilla-derived group C adenoviral vector. Methods: The biodistribution of GRAd genomes following the intramuscular administration of the vaccines was assessed in rats by a sensitive qPCR method. Local tolerance and systemic toxic effects were evaluated in single- and repeated-dose toxicity studies in rabbits. Results: GRAd-COV2 and GRAdHIVNE1 were well-tolerated. Distribution was highly confined to the injection site and draining lymph nodes, and toxicity profile consisted of transient, non-adverse inflammatory responses, while the expected immune responses to the encoded antigens were successfully induced. Notably, both vaccines demonstrated a consistent safety profile despite transgene and backbone differences, comparable to other replication-defective adenoviral vectors. Conclusions: The established non-clinical safety profile of the GRAd platform provides a robust foundation for a more efficient and streamlined regulatory pathway. By leveraging this prior knowledge, future GRAd-based vaccines can achieve accelerated clinical development while fully adhering to the ethical principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use in research.

Censorship in science: How publishing decisions could have shaped the perceived “general consensus” on COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy

Abstract Vaccine hesitancy was a major concern during the Covid-19 pandemic, and a significant percentage of healthcare workers (HCWs) proved to be hesitant too. Various governments, including that of Greece, reacted aggressively, imposing mandates stipulating dismission of HCWs from work unless vaccinated. Hesitancy was understood as a case of moral failing and against the principle of ‘do no harm’. In this article, we deploy hermeneutics policy analysis based on interviews and analysis of texts to challenge this view. On the basis of qualitative analysis of transcripts of press conferences organized by the Greek Ministry of Health and 74 interviews with hesitant HCWs, we show that government’s and HCWs’ understanding of the risk of infection and the associated threat posed to the public health system were starkly different. For HCWs, hesitancy was linked to distrust toward political institutions, which should be treated in a different manner from a case of moral failing of HCWs. We argue that, rather than mandates, persuasion is a better strategy, since hesitancy raises the question of trust toward the politicoscientific establishment. Therefore, reforming science advice institutions so that they make use of local expertise and engage civil society is key. We focus on Greece, as we consider it to be an interesting case of a newly established science advice system with a distinctive character that we term the ‘look from inside’, based on the model of ‘ethical chief scientist,’ which makes it a brilliant case study for others considering building or reforming their systems.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and determinants of hesitancy among adults in Lagos, Nigeria.

Initiation of a coronavirus vaccine library.

The novelty of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid development of new vaccines have contributed to vaccine-related hesitancy in society. This study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of healthcare professionals working in family health centres towards COVID-19 vaccines. The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of 408 health workers working in family health centres in Malatya. No sample calculation was conducted. The study attempted to reach the whole population and was completed with 292 people who agreed to participate. The questionnaire used included sociodemographic characteristics, questions about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines and the COVID-19 Fear Scale. Chi-square test and post hoc chi-square test were used in statistical analyses. Of the participants, 97.3% had received the COVID-19 vaccine, and 47.9% stated that they were hesitant about the vaccine. The hesitancy level of those who did not recommend the COVID-19 vaccine was significantly higher (p

ABSTRACT Vaccine confidence plays a critical role in public health. Understanding demographic differences in trust and sources of vaccine information is essential for designing equitable communication strategies. We analyzed nationally representative summary data from Cycle 2 of the Canadian COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Survey (CVCS), collected April–May2021 during the initial phase of the national vaccine rollout. The survey included adults aged 18 and older (n = 10,678). This study examines trust in vaccine safety, efficacy, and information sources across demographic factors such as age, gender, and visible minority status. Trust in vaccine safety and effectiveness was high overall (95% and 97%, respectively), peaking among older adults (96% and 98%) and lower among younger males (as low as 85% for perceived COVID-19 vaccine protection). In general, public health agencies were the most trusted sources of information (84%), followed by physicians and health scientists (70%); trust in vaccine manufacturers remained low (31%). Visible minority respondents were more likely to trust public health regulations (87% vs 83%) but also more likely to prefer natural immunity (20% vs. 14%) than non-visible minorities population. These findings provide a unique population-level snapshot of vaccine trust during the critical early phase of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. By identifying demographic differences in vaccine perceptions and information sources, our study offers an essential benchmark to inform future public health communication strategies and preparedness efforts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on global health, affecting not only physical well-being but also exacerbating mental health issues. The present study investigated the associations between COVID-19-related variables and health outcomes across different sex, age, and education levels. The cross-sectional survey study was conducted from June to August 2022, comprising 1,326 participants aged 12 to 28 years in Ghana. Participants completed psychometric measures assessing fear of COVID-19, psychological distress, perceived stigma, self-stigma, preventive behaviors, believing COVID-19 information, vaccination acceptance, and quality of life. Network analysis indicated that COVID-19-related stress was positively associated with fear of COVID-19, psychological distress, and COVID-19-related self-stigma. The fear of COVID-19 was positively associated with preventive COVID-19 behaviors, COVID-19-related self-stigma, and believing COVID-19 information, while psychological distress was positively associated with COVID-19-related self-stigma but negatively associated with both physical and mental quality of life. Physical quality of life was negatively associated with COVID-19-related perceived stigma and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. These network structures varied across sex, age, and educational levels. COVID-19-related stress had the highest centrality across four indices. In sum, the present study highlighted the interconnectedness of COVID-19-related variables and health factors among young people in Ghana. COVID-19-related stress appeared to be a pivotal determinant of psychological well-being. Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic served as a key determinant of psychological well-being. The differences in network structures across sex, age, and education levels highlighted the importance of tailored health interventions. Further research employing longitudinal study designs and targeting diverse populations are needed to observe the dynamic associations between health-related variables over time.

Abstract Introduction Older care home (CH) residents are particularly vulnerable to infections and often experience adverse outcomes. Despite this group being prioritised for vaccination, no COVID-19 vaccine trials recruited CH residents. Given that the social and biological characteristics of CH residents may influence vaccine effectiveness, it is crucial to test vaccines in this population. Methods The Widening Access to Trials in Care Homes (WATCH) project was established to develop best practice guidance on designing and conducting vaccine trials in the CH population. As part of this project, a scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology to identify vaccine trials that recruited CH residents and reported recruitment challenges and strategies. A comprehensive search was carried out in five databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library, from 1990 to 2025. Three authors independently screened articles and extracted data. Results are reported as descriptive summaries. Results We retrieved 701 articles and included 20 studies from 11 countries. 7479 participants from 238 CHs were recruited to influenza (N = 17) or pneumococcal (N = 3) vaccine trials. Median sample size was 270 and the weighted mean age was 82.3 years. Screen failure and dropout rate averaged 70% (seven studies) and 8% (five studies), respectively. The two most common reasons for screen failure were residents’ declining participation (46%) and not meeting eligibility criteria (27%). Death (21%) was the most common reason for dropout. Barriers identified include eligibility criteria and recruitment, consent and assent issues, ethical and regulatory concerns, CH-related factors, and study time frame and logistical factors. Facilitators identified include recruitment and data collection methods, consent and assent factors, and collaboration with CHs. Conclusion Our review is the first to report quantitative and qualitative evidence on barriers and facilitators to recruiting CH residents in vaccine trials. The findings will assist researchers in planning future vaccine trials in this population.

Background In a previous study, we found a possible connection between pre-vaccination CD3+CD56+ T cells and seroresponse to influenza vaccination in immunosuppressed patients. Decreased circulating CD3+CD56+ T cells have been described in severe COVID-19, but their role in vaccination is unknown. This study evaluated the humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in children with cancer following two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. We investigated the relationship between cellular immunity (including CD3+CD56+ T cells) and the post-vaccination antibody response. Methods A multicenter, prospective cohort study was completed by recruiting patients receiving chemotherapy and healthy controls, who received two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations was performed before vaccination; serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was measured before vaccination and 21–28 days after the second vaccination. We evaluated the relationship between various cellular parameters before vaccination and antibody response. Results Serological response was assessed in 20 oncology patients and 13 healthy controls. The seroconversion rate was 55% among oncology patients and 92.3% among healthy controls (p = 0.023). Geometric mean fold increase (GMFI) of the titers was 6.69 and 41.64 (p = 0.011), respectively. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a significantly higher seroconversion rate in patients with higher baseline CD3+CD56+ T cell (p = 0.044) and CD56+ NK (p = 0.038) cell counts. Based on GMFI, we found a positive association between a greater antibody response and higher baseline CD4+ (p = 0.007), CD4+CD3+CD56+ (p = 0.019), and CD4+ MAIT (p = 0.010) cell counts, as well as a higher CD4/CD8 ratio (p = 0.029). Conclusion Our study suggests that an adequate humoral immune response can be induced by the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in pediatric oncology patients. We explored for the first time the possible association between pre-vaccination T lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3+CD56+, CD56+ NK, CD4+, CD4+CD3+CD56+ cells) and the antibody response to the COVID-19 vaccine. We have similar observations as previously reported with influenza vaccination, suggesting that CD3+CD56+ T cells may be involved in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We highlight the connection between pre-vaccination CD4+ MAIT cell populations and the antibody response.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of fear of coronavirus during pregnancy on the attitudes of pregnant women towards the COVID-19 vaccine and the factors affecting their attitudes towards it. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted online with 324 pregnant women. It was determined that there was a positive and significant relationship ( r = .26, p = .000) between their positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine sub-dimension and the fear of coronavirus; however, the negative attitude sub-dimension did not have a significant relationship with the fear of coronavirus ( r = −.09, p = .099). The following were found to affect pregnant women’s positive attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine: socio-economic level and the thought that their baby would be disabled due to COVID-19. They should be informed more by the health professionals in order to develop a positive vaccination attitude regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities and vulnerabilities among marginalized groups, particularly Indigenous Peoples in Canada. We assessed the influence of psychological antecedents of vaccine hesitancy on COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Métis in Ontario, Canada. Methods: The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) survey, a population-based online survey, was used to capture MNO citizens’ “5Cs” of psychological antecedents relating to vaccination intention (Confidence, Complacency, Constraint, Calculation, Collective Responsibility). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to model vaccination status to assess the influence of psychological antecedents of vaccination with vaccination behaviour, by linking survey data to the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Database (COVaxON), which captures all COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Ontario. Results: The study cohort size was 3,999, with 3,701 (92.5%) MNO citizens participating partially or fully vaccinated. Results from five separate logistic regression models suggested four variables/indicators from 5Cs – Confidence, Complacency, Calculation, and Collective Responsibility – were significantly associated with vaccination status, while Constraints was not. Conclusions: This study contributes valuable insight on the factors that may influence the decision to opt out of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination among Métis and can inform the development of targeted public health interventions and educational strategies aimed at dispelling misconceptions about vaccination.

Objective This article examines the relationship between experiences of discrimination and COVID-19 vaccine non-uptake, with particular attention to the domains in which discrimination occurs (healthcare, employment, housing, and public services) and to the frequency of such experiences. Methods The analysis draws on the most recent wave of the Epidemiology and Living Conditions (EpiCov) cohort survey, conducted in October 2022, which included 65,403 adults living in metropolitan France. Results Although the vast majority of the population in France ultimately received the COVID-19 vaccine, a significant minority remained reluctant to take advantage of this free and widely accessible intervention. Our findings indicate that past experiences of discrimination exerted both specific and cumulative effects on vaccination behavior: discrimination encountered in interactions with healthcare professionals and public services had a stronger influence on non-vaccination than discrimination related to employment or housing. Moreover, the frequency of discriminatory experiences was positively associated with vaccine non-uptake. Importantly, these associations were not limited to racialized minorities. Conclusions By adopting a broad perspective on discrimination, the study demonstrates that feelings of social exclusion contribute to vaccine non-uptake across all social groups.

Older adults were among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, facing greater vulnerability to infection, hospitalization, and post-infection sequelae. However, evidence on its multidimensional impact on healthy aging remains limited, particularly in Latin America. This study examined the association of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and vaccination with healthy aging and functional impairment among older Mexican adults. We analyzed longitudinal data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS), comparing pre-pandemic (2018) and post-pandemic (2021) waves. Two outcomes were assessed: the Healthy Aging Score (HAS), a composite indicator of physical, mental, and social functioning (mean = 50, SD = 10), and functional impairment, defined as any limitation in basic or multiple instrumental activities of daily living. Random-effects regression models estimated associations with self-reported COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and vaccination, adjusting for sociodemographic and health covariates. The sample included 8,239 participants (mean age = 72.5 years; 55.9% women). Those reporting prior infection were younger and had higher BMI. COVID-19-related hospitalization was significantly associated with lower HAS (β = -1.96; 95% CI - 3.65 to - 0.26). Infection and vaccination were not significantly associated with HAS. However, vaccination was linked to a reduced likelihood of functional impairment (OR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.95). Hospitalization due to COVID-19 was associated with poorer multidimensional aging outcomes, whereas vaccination appeared protective against functional decline. These findings highlight the importance of preventive strategies and sustained vaccination coverage to preserve functionality and promote healthy aging in post-pandemic populations.