ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of different COVID-19 booster vaccines by measuring the serum antibody titer. SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid protein antibody (N-Ab), anti-spike protein antibody (S-Ab), and neutralizing antibody (Neut.Ab) were measured before and 4-6 weeks after booster vaccinations in healthcare personnel with a previous vaccination within 3-6 months. Personnel who previously received two doses of ChAdOx1 vaccine or two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine received the BNT162b2 vaccine (AAP and PPP groups, respectively). Personnel who previously received two doses of mRNA-1273 received the same vaccine as a booster dose (MMM group). Of the 917 participants, the AAP, MMM, and PPP groups comprised 837 (91.3%), 27 (2.9%), and 53 (5.8%) participants, respectively. The pre-booster S-Ab and Neut.Ab titer were significantly lower in the AAP group. After the booster vaccination, all participants were positive for S-Ab and Neut.Ab; furthermore, the S-Ab and Neut.Ab titer significantly increased in all three groups, although the post-booster S-Ab was lower in the AAP group than in the other groups. The post-booster Neut.Ab titer showed no significant difference among the groups. Our study's results suggest that booster vaccination, after two prior vaccinations, shows a significant effect regardless of the type of vaccine administered.
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to an increase in the number of patients being treated at medical institutions, including the number of patients requiring surgical treatments. Although the operating room infection control has focused on preventing surgical site infections in patients, a high interest has been shown in preventing infections in the medical staff because of a high risk of exposure of the medical staff to body fluids and respiratory system secretions during surgery when operating on suggested or confirmed patients with COVID-19. A thorough surgical preparation by the medical institution is warranted to protect both the patient and medical staff from contracting infections. The medical institution should closely examine the operation process to maintain the facilities related to the operation and plan the placement of human resources and patient movement. Further, specific guidelines for commodity, environmental, and waste management should be established in accordance with the agency’s situation, and medical workers should be continuously trained using the related guidelines.
ABSTRACT
The effects of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) on patients with chronic kidney disease have not yet been fully studied, but acute kidney damage has been reported in some COVID- 19 patients. Hemodialysis is an essential treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease and they receive treatment for extended periods of time in congested spaces such as artificial kidney rooms. Because suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients must visit medical institutions regularly for dialysis treatment, it is necessary to take efficient and safe infection control measures to prevent infections from spreading to medical staff or other patients during hemodialysis. Due to artificial kidney rooms receiving a high number of patients for outpatient treatment, it is important to assess the patients before admission. Therefore, a monitoring system is needed to check the epidemiological relevance and possible symptoms of COVID-19. Even if they are not epidemiologically related to COVID-19, patients with fever or respiratory symptoms should receive treatment in isolation rooms, while patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection should use negative-pressure isolation rooms. The medical staff participating in dialysis treatment for COVID-19 patients should wear appropriate personal protective equipment and provide specific guidelines for equipment, environmental, and waste management according to institutional circumstances.