Individual Protection Research Articles

Use of an embolic protection device during carotid artery stenting is associated with lower periprocedural risk

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between individual embolic protection device (EPD) use and respective center policy with periprocedural outcomes after carotid artery stenting (CAS).MethodsThis analysis is based on the nationwide German statutory...

A porous Janus nanofiber membrane with unidirectional water vapor transport for efficient dust personal protection

The generation of coal dust affects all aspects of coal mining, posing a serious threat to miner’s health. However, developing a novel respirator material with high respiratory efficiency and low resistance poses a significant challenge. Additionally, traditional masks can cause water vapor from exhaled breath to condense into minuscule droplets that adhere to the inside of the mask, reducing comfort. In this study, a porous Janus nanofiber membrane was successfully prepared using sequential electrospinning technology combined with post-treatment techniques. Due to its unique porous structure and double-sided anisotropy, the Janus nanofiber membrane achieves high filtration efficiency and low air resistance simultaneously. Under a high-intensity respiration rate of 85 L/min, the Janus nanofiber membrane maintains a filtration efficiency of 99.98 % and a pressure drop of 134.7 Pa. Moreover, the Janus nanofiber membrane can effectively transport water vapor from exhaled breath to the external environment. The external hydrophobic membrane effectively intercepts water mist from the air. The Janus nanofiber membrane water vapor transmittance can reach 2633.863 cm3/m2·d·Pa. The contact angle of the hydrophobic side of the nanofiber membrane reached 145°, while the contact angle of the hydrophilic side reached 0° after 3 s of water droplet exposure. These features greatly improve user comfort. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the promising potential of the newly developed Janus nanofiber membrane for individual protection.

ETHICAL AND LEGAL FRONTIERS IN MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: NAVIGATING PATIENT CARE, CONSENT AND LIABILITY

This paper examines the complex ethical dilemmas and legal challenges in the management of mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (mTBIs), focusing on issues of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, liability, compensation, and insurance. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis, we explore the current medical understanding of mTBIs, including diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, alongside the ethical considerations critical to patient care. Furthermore, we analyze medicolegal implications, highlighting the gaps and inconsistencies in existing legal frameworks that affect the management and protection of individuals with mTBIs. The paper proposes an integrated approach to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for enhanced clinical guidelines, legal reforms, interdisciplinary collaboration, and increased research funding. Our findings underscore the importance of developing standardized protocols that incorporate ethical principles and legal safeguards, ensuring equitable and effective management of mTBIs. Recommendations for policy and practice reforms are offered to improve patient outcomes and navigate the ethical and legal complexities associated with mTBIs.

Building public trust and confidence in secondary use of health data for healthcare improvement and research: a qualitative study pre-protocol.

Background Secondary use of health data provides opportunities to drive improvements in healthcare provision, personalised medicine, comparative effectiveness research, health services innovation, and policy and practice. However, secondary data use requires compliance with relevant legislation, implementation of technical safeguards, ethical data management, and respect for data sharers. Existing evidence suggests widespread support for secondary use of health data among the public, which co-exists with concerns about privacy, confidentiality and misuse of data. Balancing the protection of individuals' rights against the use of their health data for societal benefits is of vital importance, and trust underpins this process. The study protocol explores how to build public trust and confidence in the secondary use of health data through all key stakeholder groups in Ireland, towards developing a culture that promotes a safe and trustworthy use of data. Methods This study will adopt a qualitative cross-sectional approach conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research COREQ guidelines. Participants in the study will include academics and researchers; healthcare professionals, data protection, ethics and privacy experts and data controllers; pharmaceutical industry and patients and public. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques will be utilised to recruit the participants, and data will be collected utilizing focus groups that may be supplemented with semi-structured interviews. Data will be coded by themes using reflexive thematic analysis (TA) and collective intelligence (CI) will be convened post-analysis to explore the preliminary findings with the participants. Ethics and Dissemination Ethical approval was obtained from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Research Ethics Committee (REC202208013). Final data analysis and dissemination is expected by Q1 2024. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, presentations at relevant conferences, and other academic, public and policy channels. Lay summaries will be designed for Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributors and general public.

Adherence to social distancing measures in southern Brazil, 2020/2021: a cross-sectional study.

We aimed to analyze the frequency of adherence to social distancing and individual protection measures of adult and older populations in two cities in southern Brazil and to characterize the sociodemographic aspects of these individuals. This cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in the cities of Rio Grande, RS, and Criciúma, SC, Brazil. The outcome measure was the frequency of adherence to social distancing measures. Fisher's exact test (5% significance) was used to calculate the differences in prevalence according to exposure variables. Among the 2,170 participants over the age of 18, the prevalence of adherence to social distancing was 18.5%. Adherence was significantly higher among women; older adults; single, divorced, or widowed people with a low educational level; people of lower socioeconomic status; and people affected by multiple chronic diseases. Approximately one in five respondents adhered to measures of social distancing, and adherence was more prevalent among the risk groups.

Vaccination against seasonal flu in childhood and adolescence. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunizations of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (CAV-AEP) for the 2024–2025 season

The flu is a constant threat that can sometimes cause severe forms of disease. The highest incidence rates by age group occur in children under 15 years of age, especially in those under 5 years, in whom the rate of hospitalization is also similar to the population aged 65 years and older. In addition, children are the main transmitters of the infection. In Spain, 5 influenza vaccines are authorized for the paediatric age group: three inactivated tetravalent vaccines harvested from fertilised eggs, one tetravalent inactivated vaccine obtained from cell cultures and one attenuated tetravalent vaccine for intranasal administration, which will become trivalent in the 2024−2025 season by excluding the B Yamagata lineage as recommended by the WHO. The CAV-AEP recommends systematic vaccination in children aged 6–59 months, children and adolescents belonging to risk groups, people who can transmit the flu to groups at risk of complicated flu, and household contacts or close family of infants under 6 months. From 2 years of age, the intranasal attenuated vaccine is preferred due to its greater acceptability and thus contribution to greater vaccination coverage. The CAV-AEP also considers that vaccination against influenza of healthy children and adolescents aged 5–18 years is advisable, as it provides individual protection and promotes protection at the family and community levels. It is especially important to vaccinate all health care professionals against influenza as well as pregnant women at any time during pregnancy.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFORMATION AND LOGIC MODEL FOR PREVENTING EMERGENCIES DUE TO IMPACT ON PROTECTIVE ELEMENTS OF SMALL SHELTER FACILITIES BY SHOCK AND IMPULSE LOAD

The article examines problems of preventing emergencies due to damage to small shelter facilities caused by the impact of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which, in turn, leads to shock-impulse loading of their upper hemisphere and the following destruction. The development of a civilian protection system against terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure in the form of an extensive network of small shelter facilities increases the level of individual and collective protection of the population, especially in cities that fall within the area of enemy missile and artillery strikes. Therefore, when designing and building settlements, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of protecting the civilian population from both shrapnel-type damage, which already has a practical implementation in existing projects, and from possible high-precision destruction of the upper hemisphere of small shelter facilities by a UAV warhead of high explosive or thermobaric type. Relevant design solutions should focus on preventing terrorist emergencies due to shock-impulse loading of the upper hemisphere of small shelters, which is formed by considering the information-logic model for preventing local-level emergencies due to shock-impulse loading of small shelter facilities. The information-logic model assumes the existence of two security management loops for a small shelter: external and internal. It is worth noting that the external loop is an integral part of the overall urban (regional) air defence system and includes the block of measures to directly affect the threat (striking UAV) in the form of firearms and electronic warfare. The result of the successful development of management decisions by the external control loop is eliminating the threat of an enemy attack UAV. On the other hand, the experience and individual elements of the UAV are the basis for the formation of initial conditions of the mathematical model for preventing terrorist emergencies due to the shock and impulse load of small shelter facilities. The initial conditions represent the result of the development of two consecutive blocks: a block for collecting UAV characteristics and a block for analysing the shock-impulse load that occurs or is predicted based on the characteristics of the attacking UAV. The basis of the internal control loop is the mitigation design unit, which determines further information exchange within this loop. In particular, it triggers the block for improving the effectiveness of protection, which receives statistical and predictive information on emergencies that have occurred (nature of damage and consequences). It allows for continuous updating of information on the characteristics of construction materials used in the construction of shelter facilities and the effectiveness of design solutions, forming characteristics of a small shelter. The result of the corresponding block is the formation of boundary conditions of the mathematical model for preventing terrorist emergencies due to the shock and impulse loading of small shelters. The basis of the block for forming the coupling equation of the mathematical model for preventing terrorist emergencies due to shock-impulse loading of small shelter facilities is the theoretical and practical achievements of the theory of reliability and its derivative theory of plasticity. An appropriate solution to the problem of preventing terrorist emergencies due to shock and impulse loading of small shelter facilities allows further implementation of management decisions to improve the efficiency of protection. Thus, the study solved an urgent scientific problem, namely, the formation of an information-logical model for the prevention of local-level emergencies due to shock-impulse loading of small shelter facilities, the implementation of which allows to form management decisions to improve the security of small shelters and is the basis for further development of an appropriate mathematical model and methodology. Keywords: information-logic model, shock-impulse load, small shelter facility, emergency.

Parents’ attitudes towards the No Jab No Play legislation in Western Australia: a mixed methods study

BackgroundMandates provide a relatively cost-effective strategy to increase vaccinate rates. Since 2014, five Australian states have implemented No Jab No Play (NJPlay) policies that require children to be fully immunised to attend early childhood education and childcare services. In Western Australia, where this study was conducted, NJNPlay legislation was enacted in 2019. While most Australian families support vaccine mandates, there are a range of complexities and unintended consequences for some families. This research explores the impact on families of the NJNPlay legislation in Western Australia (WA).MethodsThis mixed-methods study used an online parent/carer survey (n = 261) representing 427 children and in-depth interviews (n = 18) to investigate: (1) the influence of the NJNPlay legislation on decision to vaccinate; and (2) the financial and emotional impacts of NJNPlay legislation. Descriptive and bivariate tests were used to analyse the survey data and open-ended questions and interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to capture the experience and the reality of participants.ResultsApproximately 60% of parents intended to vaccinate their child. Parents who had decided not to vaccinate their child/ren were significantly more likely to experience financial [p < 0.001] and emotional impacts [p < 0.001], compared to those who chose to vaccinate because of the mandate. Qualitative data were divided with around half of participants supporting childhood immunisation and NJNPlay with others discussing concerns. The themes (a) belief in the importance of vaccination and ease of access, (b) individual and community protection, and (c) vaccine effectiveness, safety and alternatives help understand how parents’ beliefs and access may influence vaccination uptake. Unintended impacts of NJNPlay included: (a) lack of choice, pressure and coercion to vaccinate; (b) policy and community level stigma and discrimination; (c) financial and career impacts; and (d) loss of education opportunities.ConclusionsParents appreciation of funded immunisation programs and mandates which enhance individual and community protection was evident. However for others unintended consequences of the mandate resulted in significant social, emotional, financial and educational impacts. Long-term evidence highlights the positive impact of immunisation programs. Opinions of impacted families should be considered to alleviate mental health stressors.

Community Awareness and Perception Regarding Vaccination against COVID-19, Concerns about Side Effects in Gezira State, Sudan

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy is undermining individual and community protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. This study aimed to investigate the level of awareness and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine and its determinants among people in Wad Madani City, Gezira State, as well as its known side effects. Methods and Results: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlative study included 400 participants (56.8% females and 43.2% males) who visited Wad Madani neighborhood COVID-19 centers during the data collection period (June 2022). The data was collected using a structured questionnaire based on prior published studies. Approximately 93.0% of the participants knew the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines, 84.8% knew about their effectiveness, and 83.8% knew that the vaccines help to reduce the risk of virus infection. However, only 58.0% were vaccinated against COVID-19. The results showed that 56.8% of the participants did not develop side effects. Among those who did, the most common side effects were headache and fever (10.2%), injection site pain (7.9%), myalgia (7.1%), and chills and swelling (5.6%). The results showed that 52.5% had negative perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccines. Urban residents were 2.17 times more likely to have a positive perception of the COVID-19 vaccine than rural residents (P=0.05). Furthermore, study participants with nuclear family type have shown a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccines and were 2.32 times more likely to have had a positive attitude than participants with extended family (P=0.036). Moreover, participants not vaccinated were found to be less likely to have had a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine, when compared with vaccinated participants (P= 0.005). Conclusion: Although society is aware of the need for COVID-19 immunization, the community has a low positive perception toward COVID-19 vaccination. Similarly, people in rural areas are less aware of the significance of immunization. Local health officials must collaborate to address public fears about vaccinations through the media.

A novel collocation method with a coronavirus optimization algorithm for the optimal control of COVID-19: A case study of Wuhan, China

In this study, we develop a numerical optimization approach to address the challenge of optimal control in the spread of COVID-19. We evaluate the impact of various control strategies aimed at reducing the number of exposed and infectious individuals. Our novel approach employs Legendre wavelets, their derivative operational matrix, and a collocation method to transform the COVID-19 transmission optimal control model into a nonlinear programming (NLP) problem. To solve this problem, we employ a coronavirus optimization algorithm (COVIDOA) to determine the optimal control, state variables, and objective value. We investigate three control plans for this highly contagious disease, focusing on individual protection, rapid detection and treatment, detection with delay in treatment, and environmental viral dispersion as time-based control functions. These strategies are applied within an SEIR-type control model specific to COVID-19 in China, designed to mitigate disease spread. Lastly, we analyze the effects of various parameters within the COVID-19 spread model. Our numerical results highlight the significant impact of strategies that minimize the number of exposed and infectious individuals, particularly those related to rapid detection, detection delay, and environmental viral dispersion, in controlling and preventing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Open Data and Composite Procedures: Strengthen the Quality and the Effectiveness of Administrative Activity

Open data allows new experiments in administration, both in terms of activities and organisation. In terms of composite procedures, open data can serve many public interests in new ways, leading to faster and more accurate decision-making (already at the preparatory level), while it remains difficult to ensure effective judicial protection for individuals in shared administration between the EU and the Member States. In this context, procedural guarantees at the decision-making stage should not be neglected, even more if we consider the EU public administration as a platform, offering data as services, exchanging information and data, cooperating, and competing with public and private actors. Relying on the power of data, however, requires resilient rules, based on EU principles as to assure the rule of law, and able to cope with the challenges of the digital transition, as to ensure the “effectiveness” of administrative activities implementing EU law in each Member State.

Striking a balance: Resolving conflicts of interest in Hong Kong’s insurance market

Hong Kong’s insurance sector plays a vital role in the city’s robust financial landscape, contributing significantly to the economy and serving essential individual protection needs. However, ongoing governance is required to address issues that could undermine consumer confidence and market integrity. The article examines key conflicts of interest in Hong Kong’s insurance industry, including misaligned sales incentives, misleading information from agents, and lack of commission transparency. It proposes regulatory reforms such as standardized commission disclosure and the development of a “Policy Comparator” tool to empower customers and promote ethical practices. By implementing these evidence-based solutions, the insurance industry can enhance transparency, reduce information asymmetries, and incentivize suitable recommendations. Cooperation among regulators, insurers, and consumer advocates remains critical to maintain responsiveness to emerging risks and uphold customer-centric standards. Leveraging technology-enabled reforms, Hong Kong’s insurance sector is well-positioned to thrive while safeguarding vulnerable policyholders and public confidence in this crucial financial pillar.

Cross-sectional study on the epidemiological investigation ability of professional staff from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Guizhou Province.

This study aims to evaluate the qualifications and identify skill enhancement areas for epidemiological investigators in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) in Guizhou's, informing future training and policy initiatives to strengthen public health responses. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in August 2022, and an online, self-designed questionnaire on the Epidemiological Dynamic Data Collection platform was administered to evaluate the professional staff in CDCs. The responses were scored and presented using descriptive statistical methods, and the factors influencing the total score were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and linear regression. A total of 1321 questionnaires were collected, yielding an average score of 14.86±3.49 and a qualification rate of 29.9%. The scoring rate of ability of individual protection and coordination in epidemic control was high (87.25%). Meanwhile, improvements in further training were needed in areas such as data analysis ability (23.67%), knowledge of site disinfection (40.40%), and epidemiological investigation skills (42.50%). No significant difference was observed between the scores of city and county CDCs, (t = 1.071, p =0.284). The effects of gender and age could be disregarded, and the experience in epidemiological work and training (including investigation on COVID-19 cases and contacts), educational background, and professional title partially explained the survey outcome (R Square of the linear regression model was 0.351). The survey indicated the need for additional well-trained epidemiologic investigators in Guizhou. Specified training was effective in improving epidemiologic investigation, and enhancement in data analysis ability and knowledge of field disinfection are recommended in professional staff cultivation.

One-dose intradermal rabies booster enhances rabies antibody production and avidity maturation

The incidence of rabies in Thailand reached its peak in 2018 with 18 human deaths. Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccination is thus recommended for high-risk populations. WHO has recently recommended that patients who are exposed to a suspected rabid animal and have already been immunized against rabies should receive a 1-site intradermal (ID) injection of 0.1 mL on days 0 and 3 as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). In Thailand, village health and livestock volunteers tasked with annual dog vaccination typically receive only a single lifetime PrEP dose and subsequent boosters solely upon confirmed animal bites. However, the adequacy of a single PrEP dose for priming and maintaining immunity in this high-risk group has not been evaluated. Therefore, our study was designed to address two key questions: (1) sufficiency of single-dose PrEP—to determine whether a single ID PrEP dose provides adequate long-term immune protection for high-risk individuals exposed to numerous dogs during their vaccination duties. (2) Booster efficacy for immune maturation—to investigate whether one or two additional ID booster doses effectively stimulate a mature and sustained antibody response in this population. The level and persistence of the rabies antibody were determined by comparing the immunogenicity and booster efficacy among the vaccination groups. Our study demonstrated that rabies antibodies persisted for more than 180 days after cost-effective ID PrEP or the 1st or the 2nd single ID booster dose, and adequate antibody levels were detected in more than 95% of participants by CEE-cELISA and 100% by indirect ELISA. Moreover, the avidity maturation of rabies-specific antibodies occurred after the 1st single ID booster dose. This smaller ID booster regimen was sufficient for producing a sufficient immune response and enhancing the maturation of anti-rabies antibodies. This safe and effective PrEP regimen and a single visit involving a one-dose ID booster are recommended, and at least one one-dose ID booster regimen could be equitably implemented in at-risk people in Thailand and other developing countries. However, an adequate antibody level should be monitored before the booster is administered.

Legal basis of defense standardization of the European Union

Legal basis of defense standardization of the European Union

Evaluate The Role of The Community in Intelligence Gathering on Local Terrorism Activities

Terrorism poses a significant national security threat in Indonesia, exacerbated by the clandestine nature of terrorist networks within society. Harnessing community involvement is pivotal in combating terrorism effectively. This study evaluates the community's role in intelligence gathering pertaining to local terrorist activities. Utilizing qualitative research methods, particularly literature review, the study analyzes data through three key stages: data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. Findings underscore the indispensable contribution of communities in gathering local terrorism intelligence. Unlike conventional channels, communities offer unique insights into terrorist activities inaccessible to law enforcement agencies. However, leveraging community involvement faces challenges and limitations. These include the need for heightened education and training initiatives to enhance community awareness about terrorism. Additionally, fostering trust between communities and law enforcement entities emerges as a critical endeavor. Furthermore, ensuring the safety and protection of individuals reporting terrorism-related information remains imperative for sustained community participation in intelligence-gathering efforts.

A Comprehensive Literature Review of Marital Dissolution in the Philippines: Legal, Socio-Cultural, and Feasibility Perspectives

This research provides an overview of the topic of annulment and the possibility of divorce in the Philippines. The study used a qualitative approach through case studies to collect and identify experiences and to explore the legal framework of annulment, socio-cultural factors influencing attitudes towards annulment, the impact of annulment on individuals and families, public perceptions and stigmatization, the feasibility of introducing divorce as an alternative, and international practices and case studies of divorce. Defined by Executive Order No. 209, under the Family Code of the Philippines, outlined the grounds for annulment. Due to the country’s predominantly Catholic population, the Philippines’ socio-cultural influences have shaped the attitudes of its fellow citizens towards annulment, with an additional increasing acceptance of divorce as a practical solution. Meanwhile, impact studies show positive and negative consequences on individuals and families, showing that coping mechanisms play a crucial role in reducing difficulties. On the other hand, public perceptions and stigmatization of annulment require further research. Lastly, the feasibility of introducing divorce within the Philippines may encounter challenges due to different factors. Further research on international cases may offer additional insights into the legalization of divorce and managing its social implications. The study highlights the difficulties of ending marriages in the Philippines. The researchers wanted to recommend this work to future researchers conducting a study about divorce and the Philippine system to create support connections and legal reforms to ensure the protection and well-being of individuals and families when going through relationship changes.

Introduction to Guidelines for public health protection against high temperature and heatwaves

In recent years, the high temperature and heatwaves have seriously affected the health of Chinese residents, and there is an important need for public health protection guidelines for high temperature and heatwaves in China. The National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention has organized experts to fully investigate the evidence from epidemiological research on the health of populations in high temperature and heatwaves globally and in China, analyze the health hazards and protection needs of different populations, and put forward practical and effective individual protection measures and health recommendations. For this reason, the "Guideline for Public Health Protection against High Temperature and Heatwaves" (referred to as the "Guideline") was officially issued in June 2023. This article interprets the background and significance of the Guideline, the principles of compilation, the main considerations, the main contents, the implementations and promotions and other aspects, to improve the understanding of the content of the Guideline and strengthen the publicity and implementations.

A technique for increasing the throughput and reducing the reaction time to new threats of aviation electronic warfare systems under specified resource constraints

Currently, when designing new modern aviation electronic warfare systems designed for individual protection of attack aircraft from electronic weapons controls, very strict requirements are imposed on the probability of survival of the protected aircraft. The probability of an aircraft's survival directly depends on the throughput, which should be the maximum possible, and the reaction time to new threats, which should be the minimum possible, of aviation electronic warfare systems. It is necessary to ensure the maximum possible probability of survival of the protected aircraft attacked by electronic weapons controls, under certain specified resource constraints imposed on the weight, dimensions and energy consumption of the electronic warfare complex. Thus, in this case, it is necessary to solve the problem of conditional optimization of a function of many variables, which is a problem of nonlinear programming. The solution of this problem made it possible to carry out a formal description of the methodology for increasing throughput and reducing the reaction time to new threats of aviation electronic warfare complexes under given resource constraints. The developed technique can be applied in the design of aviation electronic warfare systems that provide effective individual protection of attack aircraft from electronic weapons controls.

Live virus neutralizing antibodies against pre and post Omicron strains in food and retail workers in Québec, Canada

BackgroundMeasuring the ability of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to neutralize live viruses remains an effective approach to quantify the level of protection of individuals. We assessed the neutralization activity against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Delta, Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 strains, in 280 vaccinated restaurant/bar, grocery and hardware store workers in Québec, Canada. MethodsParticipants were recruited during the emergence of Omicron BA.1 variant. The neutralizing activity of participant sera was assessed by microneutralization assay. ResultsSerum neutralizing antibody (NtAb) titers of all participants against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain were comparable with those against Delta variant (ranges of titers 10–2032 and 10–2560, respectively), however, their response was significantly reduced against Omicron BA.1, BA2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 (10–1016, 10–1016, 10–320, 10–80 and 10–254, respectively). Individuals who received 2 doses of vaccine had significantly reduced NtAb titers against all SARS-CoV-2 strains compared to those infected and then vaccinated (≥1 dose), vaccinated (≥2 doses) and then infected, or those who received 3 doses of vaccine. Participants vaccinated with 2 or 3 doses of vaccine and then infected had the highest NtAb titers against all SARS-CoV-2 strains tested. ConclusionWe assessed for the first time the NtAb response in food and retail workers. We found that vaccination prior to the emergence of Omicron BA.1 was associated with higher neutralizing activity against pre-Omicron variants, suggesting the importance of updating vaccines to increase antibody response against new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Vaccination followed by infection was associated with higher neutralizing activity against all SARS-CoV-2 strains tested.