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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with glomerulonephritis may have an increased risk of influenza infection and morbidity, but vaccine coverage remained low with little data on acceptance in glomerulonephritis. We aimed to assess influenza vaccine awareness among patients with glomerulonephritis and identify determinants of vaccine acceptance. METHOD: Single-center cross-sectional study of patients with glomerulonephritis who completed a survey in the clinic or over the telephone between June and August 2021. Sociodemographic data, health literacy measured by HLS-EU-47 questionnaire, influenza and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine awareness and determinants of vaccine acceptance according to the World Health Organization framework. RESULTS: Among 86 patients who completed the survey, influenza vaccine awareness was lower than COVID-19 vaccine awareness (75.6% versus 100%). After adjusting for the survey type, use of English language at home and at healthcare settings, higher income and professional or executive occupation were significantly associated with influenza vaccine awareness, while older age and lower education level were associated with reduced awareness. The healthcare provider was the most frequent information source and > 90% trusted that healthcare providers and the government considered the patients' best interests and gave correct information. Only half thought their medical condition and medications would affect their vaccine decision while a quarter to half did not understand how the vaccine worked and thought there were better ways to protect against infection. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers can actively identify and advocate influenza vaccines to the unaware and overcome potential barriers to reduce influenza infections and morbidity in glomerulonephritis.
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INTRODUCTION: Despite reports suggesting an association between COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and pericarditis and myocarditis, detailed nationwide population-based data are sparsely available. We describe the incidence of pericarditis and myocarditis by age categories and sex after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination from a nationwide mass vaccination programme in Singapore. METHODS: The incidence of adjudicated cases of pericarditis and myocarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination that were reported to the vaccine safety committee between January to July 2021 was compared with the background incidence of myocarditis in Singapore. RESULTS: As of end July 2021, a total of 34 cases were reported (9 pericarditis only, 14 myocarditis only, and 11 concomitant pericarditis and myocarditis) with 7,183,889 doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine administered. Of the 9 cases of pericarditis only, all were male except one. The highest incidence of pericarditis was in males aged 12-19 years with an incidence of 1.11 cases per 100,000 doses. Of the 25 cases of myocarditis, 80% (20 cases) were male and the median age was 23 years (range 12-55 years) with 16 cases after the second dose. A higher-than-expected number of cases were seen in males aged 12-19 and 20-29 years, with incidence rates of 3.72 and 0.98 case per 100,000 doses, respectively. CONCLUSION: Data from the national registry in Singapore indicate an increased incidence of pericarditis and myocarditis in younger men after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.
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IntroductionCOVID-19 and influenza infection are associated with cardiovascular, respiratory and renal complications. However, cardiovascular, respiratory and renal disease mortality rates in Ireland decreased by 0.04%, 0.12% and 0.12% respectively in 2020 relative to 2019, despite nearly 100,000 new COVID-19 cases being reported in Ireland in 2020. Government-imposed social distancing measures resulted in abolition of influenza activity (IA). We analysed population data from the 2010/11–2019/20 influenza seasons to estimate the impact of reduced IA on cardiovascular, respiratory and renal disease mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic season.MethodsQuarterly mortality data for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, asthma and renal disease from first quarter (Q1) 2010 to fourth quarter (Q4) 2020 was obtained from the Central Statistics Office. Weekly data on influenza-like illness (ILI) rates and positive percentages (PP) (i.e., proportion of influenza-positive sentinel respiratory specimens) was obtained from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. Excess mortality rate during influenza season was defined as the percentage difference between Q4/Q1 and preceding third quarter (Q3) mortality rates. We adopted the Goldstein Index (ILI rate × PP) as an indicator of IA. Time series analyses, Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationships between IA and excess cardiovascular, respiratory and renal disease mortality rates.ResultsStatistically significant positive associations were observed between IA and excess AMI (r=0.557, p=0.011), cerebrovascular disease (r=0.858, p<0.001), pneumonia (r=0.635, p=0.003), asthma (r=0.668, p=0.001) and renal disease (r=0.652, p=0.002) mortality rates. Linear regression models predicted 0.072% (95% confidence interval 0.019%, 0.125%), 0.095% (0.067%, 0.123%), 0.184% (0.073%, 0.296%), 0.367% (0.165%, 0.569%) and 0.124% (0.053%, 0.196%) increases in excess AMI, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, asthma and renal disease mortality rates respectively per unit increase in IA.ConclusionElimination of IA may have contributed towards limiting the effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular, respiratory and renal disease mortality rates in Ireland.