Vaccine Awareness Research Articles

Perception, acceptance, and adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines: Insights from Indian population.

Vaccination has been pivotal in eradicating numerous infectious diseases. Nonetheless, concerns about the safety and side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine persist. This study aimed to gauge the perceptions and experiences of the Indian population concerning COVID-19 vaccination. This study was a cross-sectional survey of 313 participants aged 18 and above from diverse regions in India. Data was sourced using an electronic questionnaire disseminated via Google Forms. The survey evaluated demographics, vaccine awareness, attitudes, and side effects post-vaccination with Covishield and Covaxin. 22.6% of participants exhibited vaccine hesitancy; however, 78.3% believed the advantages superseded the risks. Most participants (81.5%) were aware of vaccine side effects. Most of the Indian respondents (97.1%) accepted the COVID-19 vaccine. Post-vaccination, 27.9% experienced adverse effects such as fever, headache, malaise, dizziness, and pain at the local site. Only 1.3% necessitated hospitalization. Our study underscores the dichotomy between vaccine apprehensions and real-world experiences. Although concerns surrounding vaccine safety were prevalent, the majority of the Indian respondents (97.1%) accepted the COVID-19 vaccine, with most experiencing only transient, mild side effects. While 22.6% initially exhibited hesitancy, primarily due to misinformation, the actual experience post-vaccination was largely positive. To further address hesitancy, streamlined vaccine awareness campaigns emphasizing the safety and efficacy of vaccination are essential.

Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Oral Cancer Prevention among Dental Practitioners, Students, and Patients at UiTM Faculty of Dentistry, Malaysia

Introduction: HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection is associated with an increased risk of various types of cancer, including cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV vaccines are effective in preventing HPV infection and its associated diseases. This project aims to evaluate the knowledge between UITM’s dental practitioners, students, and patients regarding HPV vaccination for oral cancer prevention. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire-oriented approach. Respondents were enrolled through convenience sampling. The questionnaire consisted of different sections covering topics related to HPV, its associated cancers, HPV vaccination, and oral cancer. Results: The study included a total of 199 respondents, comprising 14 dental practitioners (DP), 86 dental students (DS), and 99 patients. Majority of DP (85.7%) and DS (89.5%) were aware of HPV, compared to only 26.3% of patients. Moreover, only 14.3% (DP), 26.7% (DS), and 14.1% (patients) knew that smoking can increase the risk of HPV infection. Additionally, only 23.2% of patients were aware that men can also be infected by HPV. Majority of respondents (n=183) recognized that HPV is one of the viruses that can cause oral cancer. However, 49.5% of patients were not aware that oral cancer can be prevented with HPV vaccination. Conclusions: The study reveals poor knowledge of HPV and oral cancer among patients. There is a need to implement regular awareness campaigns regarding HPV vaccines and oral cancer prevention, within the UiTM Dental faculty.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Awareness and Acceptability for Primary Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the most effective option for primary prevention HPV, a well-known cause of cervical cancer. The objective of the study was to assess awareness of HPV, the acceptability of its vaccine and factors associated with the acceptability among the adult population in Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult population of Pakistan from January 2022 and March 2022. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, instead of face-to-face interviews, a self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed through Google Forms. The questionnaire was available in both English and Urdu languages to cater to a diverse population. Overall, 313 (65.2 %) study participants had heard about HPV infection, while 297 (61.9%) knew HPV as the cause of genital warts and 256 (53.3 %) knew that HPV can cause any type of cancer, with a higher percentage of awareness among those who were in any health care setting compared to those who were in a non-healthcare setting. Regarding the acceptability to get HPV vaccine, 320 (66.7%) of the study participants were willing to get vaccinated, while only 15(3.1%) of the study population had previously received HPV vaccine. The most important factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability were younger age of 18-25 years (Prevalence Ratio (PR) =1.60, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) =1.11, 2.32), and 26-35 years (PR= 1.65, 95% CI=1.09, 2.50). HPV vaccine acceptability was also associated with working in a healthcare setting due to better awareness of HPV vaccine (PR= 1.29, 95% CI=1.03, 1.62). It is important to address the knowledge gaps existing in the community about HPV vaccine acceptability and barriers against it for the successful rollout of the HPV vaccination program in Pakistan. Mass awareness campaigns about HPV, HPV vaccine, and cervical cancer are needed to increase the acceptability of HPV vaccine among public at the time of reintroducing HPV vaccine.

Knowledge and Practices of Women Attending Postnatal Consultations on Vaccination Against COVID-19 in the Health District of Sakal in 2022 (Senegal)

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic remains a public health problem despite the lulls between waves. Achieving the goal of broad vaccination coverage is of paramount importance, particularly for populations at risk of severe forms of COVID-19. Hence the interest in studying vaccination among women attending post-natal consultations in the Sakal Health District. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted from 28 June to 27 October 2022. The study population consisted of women who had given birth and/or come for a postnatal consultation in the Sakal health district. Data were analysed using R 4.2 software. Results: The mean age of the women surveyed was 26.56±6 years, with extremes of 17 to 43 years. The median age was 25 years. The age groups most represented were [20-30], with a proportion of 50.6%. More than 80% of these women were uneducated (30.4%) or had no more than primary education (51.4%). A further 17% had completed secondary education, and only 1.2% had completed higher education. A quarter of these women had an income generating activity (15.2%). Almost ¾ of respondents had a television at home (70.2%) and a telephone (73.1%). Of those who had a phone, more than half (65.1%) had a smartphone, almost all of which had access to social networks (96.3%). The types of social network whose use was significantly associated with vaccination against COVID-19 were: WhatsApp (p=0.004), Facebook (p=0.008), TikTok (p=0.021) and YouTube (p=0.015). YouTube was the source of information with a statistically significant association with vaccination against COVID-19 (p=0.015). The next three elements, i.e. knowledge of previous COVID-19 infection (p=0.01), knowledge of someone who had been infected with the disease (p=0.042) and knowledge of available COVID-19 vaccines (p<0.001) were significantly linked to vaccination against COVID-19. Women who were aware of the available COVID-19 vaccines were 8.33 times more likely to be vaccinated. All the women surveyed were married, 25.7% of whom had been vaccinated, and those whose spouses had been vaccinated were 7.3 times more likely to be vaccinated in turn (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the need to raise awareness of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women, with the full involvement of the spouse. Priority should be given to raising awareness of the seriousness of COVID-19 in pregnant women, the benefits of being vaccinated and, of course, reassurance about the safety of the available COVID-19 vaccines.

Evaluation of the General Population's Knowledge Concerning Liver Health: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Liver disease is among the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. Given their substantial impact on public health, raising awareness about liver diseases is paramount for their prevention and effective management. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behaviors of Syrians regarding liver health, chronic liver disorders, and their associated serious and irreversible complications. We conducted a cross-sectional study encompassing the adult Syrian population between August 25 and September 29, 2023, excluding non-Syrians and individuals below the age of 18 years. A validated questionnaire, adapted from a previous study, was employed, consisting of 31 questions that covered topics related to knowledge and awareness of liver health and diseases (3-point Likert scale), attitudes towards liver screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and awareness of treatment options and vaccination. Statistical analysis including logistic regression was conducted using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 28; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY), with statistical significance set established at pp-values below 0.05. This study included 941 participants, with an average age of 26.5 years. While two-thirds of respondents demonstrated awareness of hepatitis B and C as viral diseases (663 (70.4%) and 612 (65.4%), respectively), approximately 66 (7%) were unaware of the potential for hepatitis to induce chronic liver inflammation or lead to liver failure. Over half of the participants were knowledgeable about the non-genetic nature of hepatitisB and C, and 579 (61.7%) were informed about the transmission risks associated with these infections. The most common reason cited for not participating in health screening tests was the perception of being in good health (219, 77.4%), and prescription medication was the most frequently sought treatment for hepatitis (543, 83.9%). Bivariate analysis revealed correlations between participant knowledge and sex, socioeconomic status, educational level, and occupation (P < 0.05). Similarly, the study identified significant associations between participant attitudes and age, gender, economic status, job, and educational level (P < 0.05). Moreover, the multivariate analysis demonstrated that gender, occupation, and educational level significantly influenced both participants' knowledge and attitudes. Specifically, males exhibited lower knowledge and less favorable attitudes than females (P = 0.041 and P < 0.001, respectively). The Syrian population possessed moderate knowledge of liver health and liver disorders. To bridge this knowledge gap and enhance preventive measures, it is recommended that additional health programs and awareness initiatives be implemented, involving healthcare providers and leveraging their expertise.

Seroprevalence of Rubella in Pregnant Women at the Military Hospital Oued Eddahab Agadir, Morocco

Rubella is an epidemic rash that is generally benign, but dangerous for pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy, due to the teratogenic power of the virus. It causes spontaneous abortion, fetal death, premature delivery and congenital malformations known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The aim of this study was to determine the rubella immune status in all pregnant women consulting or being tested at the Medical Biology Department of the Oued Eddahab Military Hospital in Agadir. An 18-month retrospective cross-sectionnal study was conducted from January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 to assess the IgG seroprevalence of rubella in 1393 pregnant women aged 19 to 43 years old of any gestationnal age using the Architect i1000SR Analyzer. Of the 1393 pregnant women tested, 1184 (85%) were seropositive. Despite of the vaccination recommandations after their anterior pregnancy, 07% of multiparous remained seronegativ. Preventive measures against congenital rubella must be reinforced and vaccination awareness campaigns, particularly for unimmunized multiparous women, remain essential.

Determinants, Awareness, and Perceptions of COVID-19 Vaccination among Youth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The global community has seen significant negative impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of this study was to assess the perceptions, awareness, and determinants among young individuals concerning the COVID-19 vaccine. The research employed a cross-sectional approach and was carried out using internet platforms within the Dar es Salaam region of Tanzania, spanning from December 2021 to December 2022. The study's sample consisted of 435 individuals who were classified as young people. The data was collected through the utilization of questionnaires developed by Google Forms, which were thereafter distributed among participants via WhatsApp groups. The programme utilized for data cleaning and analysis was STATA 15.1. Categorical variables were summarised using descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution tables, pie charts, and bar charts. The study employed inferential statistics, namely the Chi-square test, to assess the association between the COVID-19 immunization status and several socioeconomic demographic characteristics, perceived factors, and awareness-related parameters. Results achieving a significance level of 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Based on these findings, it was recommended that decision makers should continue directing endeavors focused on increasing the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations and minimizing the wastage of vaccines. Also youths are encouraged to take vaccines for fortification of their health hence reach intended purpose and save funds which would have been used in managing other health, social and economic challenges.

Vaccination Coverage and Awareness Level for Hepatitis B among the Nursing Students of Government Nursing College, Bhavnagar - A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Vaccination against HBV infection among healthcare workers is important because of their daily exposure to patient’s body fluids and the possible risk of transmission to others. Reports from Health Ministry of India indicate that only 16-60% of healthcare workers have received complete HBV immunization. Paramedics have a higher risk of HBV transmission and receive HBV vaccination less often than doctors. So, we conducted this study among the nursing students of Govt. Nursing College of Bhavnagar to estimate their vaccination status and awareness regarding Hepatitis B infection and vaccine. Objectives: Among the Nursing students of Government Nursing College Bhavnagar, 1. To estimate the status of hepatitis B vaccination 2. To estimate the level of awareness regarding Hepatitis B infection 3. To identify the reasons for being completely unvaccinated or partially vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among the 213 nursing students of Govt. Nursing College of Bhavnagar. The details about study were given to them in classroom, Informed consent and data of study was collected in structured questionnaire. Analysis was done in MS excel 2021. Result &amp; Conclusion: Among the participants most of students (90.6%) were female. There were almost equal participants from each academic year and most of the participants were Hostelites (83.6%). In knowledge assessment 88.7% students knew that hepatitis B is viral infection, 91.1% students were aware that post exposure prophylaxis includes Hep B vaccination. Awareness regarding transmission of disease by blood transfusion, sexual intercourse and needle stick injury was 67.1%, 49.8% and 61% respectively. Knowledge regarding virus causing cirrhosis, HCC and death was 62.9%,12.2% and 27.7% respectively among students. Only 56.3% of the students were vaccinated with Hep B vaccine. Among those vaccinated students only 42.5% had received all 3 doses of vaccine. Among unvaccinated students (43.7%) most of them had no particular reason for not taking vaccine followed by unawareness and forgetfulness.

Increasing Vaccine Uptake Interventions: Lessons Learnt from South Asia

Background: Vaccinations are arguably the most effective tool for preventing infectious diseases and reducing mortality. Pakistan reports some of the highest numbers in the world for unvaccinated children. The low vaccine uptake is attributable to numerous factors, such as illiteracy, vaccine hesitancy, and lack of resources. Given these challenges, effective policymaking is crucial for improving uptake and reducing childhood mortality. This study aims to review the data on vaccine uptake interventions in South Asia and provide insight into their effectiveness and impactfulness in guiding future endeavors in the country. Objective: To assess various vaccine uptake interventions aimed at Pakistani and other South Asian communities. To compare their effects in terms of increased vaccine awareness and coverage and decrease in disease prevalence, especially of communicable diseases. Methodology: The study systematically assessed literature related to vaccine uptake interventions using the PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases. Articles were systematically screened and checked for eligibility according to PRISMA guidelines. They were assessed for quality and risk of bias, and finally added to the review. Statistical analysis was performed for available data, odds ratio and % increase in outcome were calculated for interventions, and forest plot was plotted where possible. P-values were calculated to check for significance, and heterogeneity was assessed using chi-square, tau, and I² tests. Results: The search yielded a total of 434 results, and after screening and eligibility check, 14 remaining studies were included in the review. Interventions were classified as either educational, vaccine delivery based, incentive based, and reminder based interventions. 8 studies reported educational interventions. The highest vaccine coverage odds were reported for DPT-3 coverage (Andersson, 2009) as a result of Focused Group Discussion Intervention (OD 95% CI = 3.46 [2.62, 4.58] p&lt;0.0001) and BCG vaccine (Anjum, 2004) with House-to-House health messages (OD 95% CI = 3.10 [1.55, 6.19, p&lt;0.001), with more than three times odds of vaccination as compared to no intervention (Control). There were 4 studies in the Delivery-based intervention group and two each in incentive and reminder groups. Upon comparison, multifaceted interventions targeted at vaccine awareness and delivery show the greatest odds of increasing vaccine coverage. Conclusions: The current systematic review includes the first quantitative analysis of vaccine uptake interventions specific to the South-Asian population. The significance of multifaceted interventions targeting vaccine literacy and delivery is evident from the results and should be considered during state-level decision-making. Further research with better resources and broader scope should be conducted to gather critical evidence on the topic.

Implementation of an Awareness Level Training to Prepare the Workforce for Future Infectious Disease Outbreaks.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for workforce awareness-level training for infectious disease outbreaks. A training program was created and evaluated to provide strategies for emergency preparedness as well as worker health and safety during a disease outbreak. Participants (N = 292) completed instructor-led synchronous online training modules between January 2022 and February 2023. Training covered 5 areas: vaccine awareness, infectious disease transmission and prevention, pandemic awareness, and inapparent infections, as well as workplace controls to reduce or remove hazards. Participants completed a survey before and after training to assess knowledge change in the five areas. Chi-square analyses assessed how predictors were related to knowledge change. Overall, an increase in knowledge was observed between pre- (80.9%) and post-training (92.7%). Participants from small businesses, with less work experience, and in non-health care roles were under-informed. Knowledge of disease transmission and prevention improved for non-health care professions and workers with less experience. All participants gained knowledge in identifying and ranking safeguards to protect workers from injuries and illness at job sites. Training improved employee knowledge about safe work practices and pandemic preparedness. Studies should continue to evaluate the effectiveness of preparedness training to prepare the workforce for infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics.

From #Rona to #Omarion: Black Twitter’s hashtag activism and critical discourse of COVID-19 pandemic

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, social media was one of the key digital spaces for community and information. As cases and deaths rose within US Black communities, Black Twitter continued to serve as a counterpublic for humor, health commentary, and hashtag activism. This study will examine the techno discourses of Black Twitter’s usage of hashtag activism during the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that the hashtags and tweets used within the Black Twitter counterpublic addressed social justice issues and challenged health inequalities in the mainstream media. We found three main discourses: Black Popular Culture, Lack of Access, and Vaccination Awareness. Overall, these discourses allow Black communities to culturally advocate for themselves and create counterpublic spheres to present their lived experiences.

Awareness and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe in pregnancy, as they do not contain a live attenuated virus. Mass vaccination is a key to control the pandemic. Neonates have been shown to be susceptible to severe illness, so maternal vaccination is important to provide neonatal vaccination. The present study was conducted for a period of one year from November 21, 2021 to October 2O, 2022 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology A.S.J.S.A.T.D.S. medical college, Fatehpur. It was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy, safety, attitude, side effect and maternal neonatal outcome of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women. Out of 3320 pregnant women delivered, only 1170 (35.24%) received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 69.23% were unaware of the type of COVID-19 vaccine. 66.15% were vaccinated for both the doses before pregnancy. 12.30% of women had taken only the first dose of COVID vaccine before pregnancy. Majority had fever with chills after the first dose. Fatigue was most common side effect after second dose, and no one had any rash or allergic reaction. 56.15% delivered vaginally, 37.69% had LSCS for different obstetric indications, and 6.15% had instrumental delivery. During the antenatal period, 38.46% developed anemia, 11.54% had preterm labor, 2.05% had gestational diabetes, 2.30% developed preeclampsia, and 3.85% developed hypothyroidism. 3.07% prolonged labor in intrapartum period, and 6.92% women developed PPH. 50.77% newborns were between 2.5 and 2.9 kg, and majority 71.54% newborns had an APGAR score of 7 or more at 5 minutes. 14.62% newborns had meconium aspiration syndrome, 3.84% had respiratory distress syndrome, and 20.34% needed NICU admission more than 24 hours. Available data do not support increased risk of adverse outcome following COVID-19 vaccination. We recommend vaccination during pregnancy as benefit outweigh the potential risk. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13224-023-01918-w.

Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant.

Vaccinations are an essential element of public health programs around the world, which have a major impact on morbidity, mortality, and costs of the health care system. In recent years, with a better understanding of the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations, many recommendations have been developed for administering vaccines to adults. Countless physiological changes occur during pregnancy, including those affecting the immune system. Pregnant women are at increased risk of developing infections and resulting complications. According to research, vaccines are immunogenic and safe for pregnant women. Pregnancy is not an absolute contraindication to vaccination. After administration of vaccines to pregnant women, the concentration of antibodies increases, which can be transferred to the child in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and provide protection in the first months of life. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) unanimously recommend vaccination of pregnant women if a safe vaccine is available and there is a risk of exposure of the woman to a disease that threatens herself or her developing baby. In everyday clinical practice, medical professionals should provide their patients with the necessary information on vaccinations, which may contribute to greater awareness and implementation of vaccinations. This article aims to review current global recommendations for the vaccination of pregnant and breastfeeding women, including against the Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Attitude and awareness of Indian parents from Kerala state towards children’s vaccination at the COVID-19 pandemic background

Background. Vaccination coverage of children in India is not sufficient since the COVID-19 pandemic (less than 90 %). This may lead to low adherence of parents to children’s vaccination.The aim. To study parental attitudes and awareness towards children vaccination programs in India at the COVID-19 pandemic background.Methods. Two hundred and fourteen participants from Kerala state (India) took part in the descriptive cross-sectional study via survey method. The survey was prepared with Google form according the principles of anonymity.Results. Indian parents demonstrated good adherence towards children’s vaccination, 98.6 % (95% confidence interval (CI): 95.9–99.5) of them vaccinated their child, and if vaccination appointment had to be rescheduled 84.6 % (95% CI: 79.1–88.8) of them vaccinated children after. Most of Indians (68.7 %; 95% CI: 62.1–74.5) preferred to vaccinate children in state clinics, however, 28.5 % (95% CI: 22.8–34.8) chose private clinics. Information about diseases that vaccines can prevent, vaccine safety, and side effects 47.2 % (95% CI: 40.6–53.8) of parents got from public pediatricians, 50.9 % (95% CI: 44.2–57.5) – from private pediatricians, and 10.3 % (95% CI: 6.8–15.0) – from complementary and alternative medicine practitioners. Over 80 % of Indians were informed about vaccination through mass media (83.6%; 95% CI: 78.1–87.9). Indian parents showed low awareness about vaccination, because 63.1 % (95% CI: 56.4–69.2) of parents wanted to know more about vaccination. Moreover, before vaccination 21.5 % (95% CI: 16.5–27.4) of them were not informed by a doctor about health benefits and possible risks for their children.Conclusion. In the COVID-19 pandemic Indian parents showed good attitude towards vaccination and low awareness in vaccination questions.

Correlation Between Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Adolescent Girls in Junior High School

&lt;p&gt;Cervical cancer is significantly increased by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV vaccine can be administered as a primary preventive to stop cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be prevented most effectively with vaccination. The decision to acquire the HPV vaccine is influenced by factors related to knowledge and awareness of the disease. This study aims to ascertain how adolescent girls’ knowledge and awareness of the HPV vaccine relate to one another. In this study, a cross-sectional approach was utilized. One hundred twenty-eight respondents were selected using a cluster random sampling. This study employed the Knowledge regarding HPV, Cervical Cancer, and HPV Vaccine Questionnaire and Awareness about Cervical Cancer, HPV, and HPV Vaccines Questionnaire, all declared valid and reliable. The Spearman Rank test was performed to analyze the data. According to the results, there was a relationship between knowledge and awareness of the HPV vaccine in adolescent girls (r= 0.554; p-value=0.000). Therefore, teenage girls’ knowledge and awareness of the HPV vaccine were related. It is suggested that health professionals, particularly those working with young girls, should provide easy-to-understand information about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer.&lt;/p&gt;

Impact of vaccination and high-risk group awareness on the mpox epidemic in the United States, 2022–2023: a modelling study

The unprecedented global outbreak of mpox in 2022 posed a public health challenge. In addition to the mpox vaccine campaign in the United States (US), community organisations and public health agencies initiated educational efforts to promote sexual risk reduction. This modelling study estimated the impact of the two-dose vaccination campaign and sexual behaviour changes coincident with high-risk group awareness on the mpox epidemic in the US. We fitted a deterministic, risk-structured SEIARV model to the epidemic curve of reported mpox cases in the US between May 22, 2022 and December 22, 2022. We evaluated the putative effects of the two preventive responses in the US -- vaccination and sexual risk reduction -- at the population-level, by calculating the prevention percentages of cumulative cases compared to the counterfactual scenario without interventions. We performed sensitivity analyses with four parameters: case reporting fidelity, vaccine effectiveness, proportion of asymptomatic cases, and assortative mixing. Model fitting revealed a basic reproduction number of 3.88 and 0.39 for the high-risk and low-risk populations, respectively, with 71.8% of mpox cases estimated from the high-risk population. A two-dose vaccination campaign, solely, could prevent 21.2% (10.2%-24.1%) of cases, while behaviour changes due to high-risk group awareness alone could prevent 15.4% (14.3%-20.6%). The combination of both measures were synergistic, with the model suggesting that 64.0% (43.8%-69.0%) of US cases were averted that would have otherwise occurred. Our models suggest that the 2022-2023 mpox epidemic in the US was controlled by a combination of two-dose mpox vaccination campaign and high-risk group awareness and sexual risk reduction. Taiwan Ministry of Education grant #NTU-112L9004, Taiwan National Science and Technology Council grant #MOST-109-2314-B-002-147-MY3 and grant #NSC-112-2314-B-002-216-MY3. SHV was supported, in part, by US National Institutes of Health grant #P30MH062294.

Study on the Awareness and Willingness of HPV Vaccination Among Women Aged 15 to 45 Based on an Online Survey in Xi’an

Objective: This study investigates the awareness and willingness of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and its determinants among women aged 15 to 45 years in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Methods In August 2023, 112 female residents in Xi’an were selected using a convenient sampling method to research their awareness of HPV, health conditions, and vaccination willingness through self-administered network questionnaires. Results: 82.14% of the respondents expressed their willingness to be vaccinated against HPV, 17.86% were reluctant to get HPV vaccination, and 83.1% agreed to include the HPV vaccine in medical insurance. Among those willing to vaccinate, 44 women aged between 15 and 24 account for 39.3%. The age group with the highest awareness score is 25 to 34 years old, with 12.63 as the average awareness score. According to the correlation analysis, awareness of the HPV vaccine was correlated with education (r=0.312, P&lt;0.001). Besides, the vaccination willingness was intertwined with the awareness of the vaccine (r=0.218, P=0.021) and the attitude towards vaccine policy (r=0.392, P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Women in Xi’an have a high willingness to HPV vaccination, which is related to their awareness of the HPV virus and vaccine-related knowledge as well as policy recognition. It is suggested that the publicity and education of the HPV vaccine should be strengthened in the future, and a reasonable cost-sharing mechanism should be established to improve the overall coverage rate of the HPV vaccine.

Vaccine skepticism and vaccine development stages; inoculation from "cowpox" lesion to the current mRNA vaccine of COVID-19: review.

Global pandemics can be tackled by two means: lockdowns and vaccinations. As vaccination has a low impact on economic outcomes and better acceptance by people, it is the preferred method by most governments as a medium- to long-term solution. Vaccines have played a significant role in reducing the global burden of infectious diseases. They are designed to teach the immune system how to fight a particular infection before it causes a disease in subsequent exposures by creating a memory. Although vaccines effectiveness is well known, anti-vaccination movements pose significant challenges, even in high-income settings, leading to outbreaks of life-threatening infectious diseases. Hesitancy to take vaccines is not new and began with the first vaccination of smallpox. At that time, the problem was solved by a regulatory obligation to take vaccines, declared in England and Wales in 1853, which eventually led to its eradication in 1980. Different studies show that there is a decline in awareness of vaccines, hesitancy to take them, and concerns and trust issues regarding healthcare professionals. These problems have been rising over the past few decades for several reasons, notably, because of misinformation spread by social media. Therefore, the objective of this review is to provide a brief overview about vaccine hesitancy and attributable factors, illustrate the different types of vaccines, show the major challenges of vaccine development, and illustrate the pros and cons of each type.

A Multi-pronged Approach to Addressing Global Poxviruses Vaccine Inequity: A Case of Monkeypox.

Monkeypox has been endemic in Congo and Nigeria for at least five decades. Since early May 2022, there have been numerous unprecedented outbreaks throughout the world in places without any previously reported cases. While a majority of the diagnosed cases have been within Europe and the Americas, several cases have occurred in non-endemic African countries. As of December 2022, 82,999 cases had been reported globally, prompting concern among the World Health Organization (WHO) members. While the WHO has not labeled this epidemic a Global Health Emergency, member states have begun to put forward plans to consolidate their emergency vaccine stockpiles and share the limited number of vaccines made by the single FDA-approved manufacturer, Bavarian Nordic. Many countries are concerned about how vaccines will be shared. Some of the larger donor States are positioned to be the biggest beneficiaries of vaccine sharing, while States from areas that have been suffering from the virus since the 1970s have not been allocated any. This pattern of vaccine distribution echoes that seen during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the similarities between Monkeypox and Smallpox, contact precautions and vaccination seem to be effective strategies to combat its rapid spread. We aim to evaluate how an eradication program model similar to that used for Smallpox can be applied to Monkeypox, and whether it can address vaccine inequity. To do this, we use a multi-pronged approach targeting disease surveillance, vaccine awareness, manufacturing, cost, and distribution strategies.

Cervical cancer awareness, knowledge, behavioural patterns, and practice of screening and vaccination in females of hilly regions of North India - A hospital-based observational study.

The mainstay of cervical cancer elimination and control is an effective screening and education program. The present study was conducted to assess awareness about cervical cancer, knowledge of cervical cancer symptoms, risk factors, screening and vaccination, attitude towards various aspects of cervical cancer, and screening and vaccination practices amongst women of Uttarakhand. The present study was a prospective observational study. A total of 215 patients were recruited from Gynecology OPD, AIIMS, Rishikesh, from January to December 2021, and 195 women meeting the eligibility criterion were finally analyzed based on the KAP questionnaire interview method. The study population had 40% illiterate participants. Of all participants, 87% were aware of cervical cancer as a disease entity, only 0.5% had good knowledge, and 99.5% had poor knowledge of symptoms, risk factors, screening, and vaccination for cervical cancer. 87% showed a favourable attitude. Only 1 out of 195 participants was ever screened previously, and none of them were vaccinated. The main hindrance in the context of hilly or challenging-to-serve areas is mainly the education and information services. The resource allocation to difficult health-inaccessible areas is required to bring a major change in practices for prevention of cervical cancer; this can be dramatically improved by population-based screening and vaccination programs at affordable prices.