ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vaccination against COVID-19 has started in several countries already and is on its way in others. However, there is an important hesitance towards the vaccine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the vaccination hesitance and main concerns towards the vaccine among surgeons. METHODS: An anonymous survey of 16 questions was sent to 138 Belgian surgeons before the start of vaccination in Belgium. The questions were divided into sections, evaluating demographics, COVID-19 test status and symptoms, the surgeon's opinion on the COVID-19 vaccination and their main concerns. RESULTS: Ninety-three out of 138 surgeons (67.4%) completed the survey: two-third of them were residents. Sixty-nine surgeons (74.2%) do want to get vaccinated. Forty-two surgeons (45.2%) feel like they do not have enough information about the vaccine. Residents feel significantly more underinformed than consultants (52.3% and 29.0%, respectively). Surgeons who feel to be well-informed are more willing to get vaccinated (92.2%) compared to those who feel to have a lack of information (52.4%). The main concerns among surgeons include effectiveness (26.9%), safety and side effects (19.4%) and organisation and vaccination strategy (12.9%). Twenty-five surgeons (26.9%) have no concerns at all. CONCLUSION: Most surgeons (74.2%) are ready for their COVID-19 vaccine. However, some of the surgeons are still doubtful about the vaccine. A lack of information plays a major role in their scepticism. A strong communication strategy is necessary to educate, reassure and motivate surgeons to get vaccinated.
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). At the time of the study, little data on the level of exposure of the population in Koutiala district in Mali to SARS-CoV-2 was available. Although blood donors are not representative of the general population, a COVID-19 seroprevalence estimate in this population was intended to assess the extent of community transmission, serve as a health alert system, and help guide the public health response. We measured seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using NG-Biotech SARS-Cov-2 RDT and ECLIA test between January and June 2020. This is a cross-sectional study of volunteer blood donors aged 18 to 60 years, independent of any previous COVID-19 disease. A stratified analysis of seroprevalence by month of sample collection and a comparison of the results of the NG-Biotech SARS-Cov-2 RDT with those of the ECLIA test was performed. The overall prevalence of antibodies to SARS-Cov-2 virus assessed by the NG-Biotech SARS-Cov-2 RDT was 24.6% (95% CI 21.8–27.4) and by the ECLIA test was 70.2 (95% CI 64.9–75.5). Both estimates remained relatively stable over the study period. We observed SARS-CoV-2 exposure much higher than indicated by case-based surveillance. The national surveillance system, as it was, was not able to detect variations in incidence, and as such, we do not recommend it as an alert system. However, the discrepancy between the results of the rapid test and the ECLIA test shows that further research is required to assess the validity of these test before a more solid conclusion can be drawn it their use in surveillance.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Subgroups of precarious populations such as homeless people are more exposed to infection and at higher risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19 compared to the general population. Many of the recommended prevention measures, such as social distancing and self-isolation, are not feasible for a population living in shelters characterised by physical proximity and a high population density. The objective of the study was to describe SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence in homeless shelters in Brussels (Belgium), and to identify risk factors and infection control practices associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates. METHODS: A total of 1994 adults were tested by quantitative PCR tests in 52 shelters in Brussels (Belgium) between April and June, 2020, in collaboration with Doctors of the World. SARS-CoV-2 prevalence is here described site by site, and we identify risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates. We also investigate associations between seropositivity and reported symptoms. RESULTS: We found an overall prevalence of 4.6% for the period, and a cluster of high rates of SARS-CoV-2 positivity (20-30% in two shelters). Among homeless people, being under 40 years of age (OR (CI95%) 2.3 (1.2-4.4), p = 0.02), having access to urgent medical care (AMU) (OR(CI95%): 2.4 (1.4-4.4)], p = 0.02), and sharing a room with someone who tested positive (OR(CI95%): 5.3 (2.9-9.9), p<0.0001) were factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates. 93% of those who tested positive were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: This study shows high rates of SARS-COV-2 infection positive tests in some shelters, with a high proportion of asymptomatic cases. The survey reveals how important testing and isolation measures are, together with actions taken by medical and social workers during the outbreak.