Answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccines in children with cancer.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2020 evolved into a global pandemic, and COVID-19 vaccines became rapidly available, including for pediatric patients. However, questions emerged that challenged vaccine acceptance and use. We aimed to answer these questions and give recommendations applicable for use in pediatric patients with cancer by healthcare professionals and the public. METHODS: A 12-member global COVID-19 Vaccine in Pediatric Oncology Working Group made up of physicians and nurses from all world regions met weekly from March to July 2021. We used a modified Delphi method to select the top questions. The Working Group, in four-member subgroups, answered assigned questions by providing brief recommendations, followed by a discussion of the rationale for each answer. All Working Group members voted on each recommendation using a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being complete agreement. A "pass" recommendation corresponded to an agreement ≥7.5. RESULTS: We selected 15 questions from 173 suggested questions. Based on existing published information, we generated answers for each question as recommendations. The overall average agreement for the 24 recommendations was 9.5 (95% CI 9.4-9.6). CONCLUSION: Top COVID-19 vaccine-related questions could be answered using available information. Reports on COVID-19 vaccination and related topics have been published at record speed, aided by available technology and the priority imposed by the pandemic; however, all efforts were made to incorporate emerging information throughout our project. Recommendations will be periodically updated on a dedicated website.

Factors associated to the duration of COVID-19 lockdowns in Chile.

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have implemented non-pharmacologic measures, mainly lockdowns and social distancing, to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These strategies varied widely across nations, and their efficacy is currently being studied. This study explores demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological factors associated with the duration of lockdowns applied in Chile between March 25th and December 25th, 2020. Joint models for longitudinal and time-to-event data were used. In this case, the number of days under lockdown for each Chilean commune and longitudinal information were modeled jointly. Our results indicate that overcrowding, number of active cases, and positivity index are significantly associated with the duration of lockdowns, being identified as risk factors for longer lockdown duration. In short, joint models for longitudinal and time-to-event data permit the identification of factors associated with the duration of lockdowns in Chile. Indeed, our findings suggest that demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological factors should be used to define both entering and exiting lockdown.

Living on-campus during COVID-19: Prepare to handle requests for accommodations

As vaccination rates go up and higher education institutions return to on-campus learning this fall, institutions may already be receiving students? accommodations requests to waive or adjust requirements for living in on-campus housing. With return to on-campus learning this fall, these requirements are now back in force. Colleges and universities promote living on campus for a number of reasons, including the increased tendency for resident students to perform better academically, seamlessly integrate into campus activities and student organizations, and receive peer support.

Living on-campus during COVID-19: Prepare for reasonable accommodations requests

As vaccinations rates go up and higher education institutions return to on-campus learning this fall, institutions may already be receiving students? accommodations requests to waive or adjust requirements for living in on-campus housing. Many colleges and universities waived on-campus residency requirements during 2020, and with return to on-campus learning this fall, these requirements are now back in force. Colleges and universities promote living on campus for a number of reasons, including the increased tendency for resident students to perform better academically, seamlessly integrate into campus activities and student organizations, and receive peer support. Students may request an adjustment to your institution's live-on requirement if they can't receive a COVID-19 vaccine and/or they're more susceptible to suffering from a severe case of COVID-19 due to having an underlying medical condition. This means that students may request to live off campus, live in a private/single room on campus, or only live with a specific roommate.