COVID-19 infection, and reinfection, and vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection among health care workers in the setting of omicron variant transmission in New Delhi, India.

Background: Surge of SARS CoV-2 infections ascribed to omicron variant began in December 2021 in New Delhi. We determined the infection and reinfection density in a cohort of health care workers (HCWs) along with vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic infection within omicron transmission period (considered from December 01, 2021 to February 25, 2022. Methods: This is an observational study from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Data were collected telephonically. Person-time at risk was counted from November 30, 2021 till date of infection/ reinfection, or date of interview. Comparison of clinical features and severity was done with previous pandemic periods. VE was estimated using test-negative case-control design [matched pairs (for age and sex)]. Vaccination status was compared and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were computed by conditional logistic regression. VE was estimated as (1-adjusted OR)X100-. Findings: 11474 HCWs participated in this study. The mean age was 36⋅2 (±10⋅7) years. Complete vaccination with two doses were reported by 9522 (83%) HCWs [8394 (88%) Covaxin and 1072 Covishield (11%)]. The incidence density of all infections and reinfection during the omicron transmission period was 34⋅8 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 33⋅5-36⋅2] and 45⋅6 [95% CI: 42⋅9-48⋅5] per 10000 person days respectively. The infection was milder as compared to previous periods. VE was 52⋅5% (95% CI: 3⋅9-76⋅5, p = 0⋅036) for those who were tested within 14-60 days of receiving second dose and beyond this period (61-180 days), modest effect was observed. Interpretation: Almost one-fifth of HCWs were infected with SARS CoV-2 during omicron transmission period, with predominant mild spectrum of COVID-19 disease. Waning effects of vaccine protection were noted with increase in time intervals since vaccination. Funding: None.

Challenges of Marketing in COVID-19 Scenario: A Neuro-marketing Approach

The findings in the areas of neuormarketing are just like a lightning strike for the marketers all over the world, as a matter of fact if the purchase behavior of a person can be identified facial expressions and body language;it is going to work like a breakthrough in the field of sales and marketing. The result can be in the form of product and service customization and more creative and dedicated promotion campaigns. These neuromarketing will be affected by this pandemic of COVID-19 but in a short term. Process of studies can be followed and even sampling can be enhanced in the process. This present study will evaluate the scenario of customer preference and behavior in pre and post COVID-19 period. The findings of this present study state that some significant changes has been observed in customer preferences due to the outbreak of COVID-19, but the changes are not significant enough to bring about major changes in the strategic patterns;rather the researcher would like to suggest that the marketers should explore some new dimensions for attracting the customer. This study is based on primary data and the results are analyzed by using SPSS ver. 23.0.