COVID-19 Vaccine: Knowledge and Acceptance among Obstetric Population in Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) poses expectant mothers to a higher risk of serious complications and mortality. Following a risk-benefit review, a number of governmental and professional bodies from across the globe recently approved the COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Aim(s): This study aimed to investigate knowledge, actual acceptance, and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine among the obstetric population. Material(s) and Method(s): Participants were selected from among the expecting women who came for antenatal checkup during the study period (October 1, 2021-November 30, 2021). About 150 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and consented were recruited into the study. Data related to socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as well as knowledge, actual acceptance, and concerns about COVID-19 vaccine were collected through in-person interviews using a prestructured questionnaire. The SPSS version 23 was used to analyze data. The association between the attitude (acceptance and hesitance) of participants toward the COVID-19 vaccine and their sociodemographic and clinical profile was found by Fisher's exact test. Result(s): The actual acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among expecting women was 52.0%. The primary motive for accepting COVID-19 immunization was to protect the fetus, followed by the protection of one's own health. A significant association was found between COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and the level of education, socio-economic status, and presence of comorbidities. The leading causes for vaccine reluctance were concerns about the efficacy and safety of the vaccines and lack of awareness about their usage during pregnancy. Conclusion(s): Multifaceted activities are required to promote the effectiveness and safety profile of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as disseminate knowledge about its usage during pregnancy. Clinical significance: Unlike numerous other studies that have investigated the accepting attitude only, the present one has investigated the actual COVID-19 vaccine uptake among the obstetric population.Copyright © The Author(s).

Analysis of approaches to sterility testing of COVID-19 prevention vaccines.

Preventive vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection is currently receiving close attention in the Russian Federation. Improving public confidence in immunisation with new vaccines largely depends on a guarantee of the absence of side effects caused by contamination. A high risk of contamination is inherent to biological products, including coronavirus prevention vaccines, due to their properties and the nature of raw materials used. This risk adds to the need for using effective contaminant detection approaches. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility to improve sterility testing of preventive vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection. This article presents an analysis of the procedures proposed by pharmaceutical developers for sterility testing of ten Russian vaccines approved in the country for COVID-19 prevention. The authors considered specific characteristics of these vaccines, including their physical and chemical properties, the presence of antimicrobial components, and other critical factors affecting the correctness of the experimental setup. The results suggest that it is possible to improve sterility testing. According to the authors, the main directions for its improvement are the proposal to develop an alternative procedure based on compendial method 2 (OFS.1.2.4.0003.15, Ph. Rus. XIV), as well as the use of a universal culture medium. If used for refining the established procedures and developing new ones, the authors' recommendations will improve the reliability and applicability of sterility testing during both manufacturing and pre-approval regulatory assessment of updated coronavirus vaccines for subsequent release to the market. The proposed approaches can be applied to testing other medicinal products for sterility.Copyright © 2023 National Electronic-Information Consortium (NEICON). All rights reserved.

Uptake of vaccination in older Indian patients with cancer: A cross-sectional observational study

Background: Older patients with cancer are at a higher risk of invasive infections. Vaccination is an effective approach to decrease the mortality and morbidity associated with infections. Objective(s): Our primary objective was to evaluate the proportion of older patients with cancer who had received routine vaccinations against pneumococcal, influenza, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our secondary objective was to identify the factors associated with vaccine uptake such as age, sex, education, marital status, comorbidities, and place of residence. Material(s) and Method(s): This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the geriatric oncology outpatient clinic of the Department of Medical Oncology at the Tata Memorial Hospital, a tertiary care cancer hospital in Mumbai, India, from February 2020 to January 2023. We included all patients aged >=60 years who were evaluated in the geriatric oncology clinic during the study period and for whom the immunization details were available. The uptake of COVID-19 vaccine was calculated from March 2021 onwards, which was when the COVID-19 vaccine became available to patients aged >=60 years in India. Result(s): We enrolled 1762 patients;1342 (76.2%) were male. The mean age was 68.4 (SD, 5.8) years;795 (45%) patients were from the west zone of India. Only 12 (0.68%) patients had received the pneumococcal vaccine, and 13 (0.7%) had received the influenza vaccine. At least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine had been taken by 1302 of 1562 patients (83.3%). On univariate logistic regression, education, marital status, geographic zone of residence, and primary tumor site were correlated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine. Factors associated with a greater COVID-19 vaccine uptake included education (up to Std 10 and higher vs. less than Std 10: Odds Ratio [OR], 1.46;95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.99;P = 0.018, and illiterate vs. less than Std 10: OR, 0.70;95% CI, 0.50-0.99;P = 0.041), marital status (unmarried vs. married: OR, 0.27;95% CI, 0.08-1.08;P = 0.046, and widow/widower vs. married: OR, 0.67;95% CI, 0.48-0.94;P = 0.017), lung and gastrointestinal vs. head-and-neck primary tumors (lung cancer vs. head-and-neck cancer: OR, 1.60;95% CI, 1.02-2.47;P = 0.038, and gastrointestinal vs.head-and-neck cancer: OR, 2.18;95% CI, 1.37-3.42;P < 0.001), and place of residence (west zone vs. central India: OR, 0.34;95% CI, 0.13-0.75;P = 0.015). Conclusion(s): Fewer than 1 in 100 older Indian patients with cancer receive routine immunization with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. Hearteningly, the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in older Indian patients with cancer is over 80%, possibly due to the global recognition of its importance during the pandemic. Similar measures as those used to increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic may be beneficial to increase the uptake of routine vaccinations.Copyright © 2023 Cancer Research, Statistics, and Treatment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy Among 5-11-year-old Iranian Children's Parents: What Are Underlying Beliefs?

Background: Of all teenage deaths caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 47% occurred in children aged 0-9. Like many other infectious diseases, reducing mortality in children requires widespread vaccination. Despite the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, a large percentage of children have not received the vaccine. Objective(s): This survey aimed to study parents' reluctance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for their children in Shiraz, Iran. Method(s): An online questionnaire was sent to parents whose 5 to 11-year-old children had received no COVID-9 vaccine through the health educators of primary schools in Shiraz, Iran. The questionnaire contained demographic questions and 16 beliefs about COVID-19 vaccination that were answered as yes/no. Result(s): We assessed 1093 respondents, including 49.5% (n = 542) male and 50.5% female students' parents. The mean number of wrong beliefs was 7.21 +/- 2.80 in parents who had boys and 7.78 +/- 2.95 in girls' parents. Also, 78.6% of participants had at least five wrong beliefs or excuses for not vaccinating their children. Notably, 82.8% of mothers and 84.3% of fathers were vaccinated with 2-3 doses against COVID-19. The most common wrong beliefs were probable vaccines' side effects in the future, the undesirable effect of vaccination on children's growth, and the awful effect of the vaccine on fertility, with a prevalence of 82.7%, 81.2%, and 76.7%, respectively. Conclusion(s): This study identified that most participants believed that COVID-19 vaccines have side effects for their children and unfavorable effects on children's growth and infertility.Copyright © 2023, Author(s).

COVID-19 Incidence and its Clinical Course in Liver Transplant Recipients.

Organ transplant recipients receive immunosuppressive drugs and hence are at high risk for COVID-19 due to their compromised immunity. This study assessed 1,370 liver transplant recipients who were followed at our hospital. A total of 12 patients got COVID-19: 5 recipients <50-years-old had mild disease, 7 recipients >60-years-old had moderate to severe disease, and 2 patients died. In addition, not all patients received 2 vaccinations, suggesting that the immunization is important for COVID-19 prophylaxis even in this patient population. One recipient was successfully treated with a combination of a reduced dose of immunosuppressive drugs, dexamethasone, remdesivir, and antibiotics, which is being established as an effective therapy for COVID-19.Copyright © 2022 The Japan Society of Hepatology.

Home-based care programme (HBCP) for patients with COVID-19: Boon or burden during pandemic management?

Introduction and Aim: India experienced the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 during April to June 2021. Massive surge of cases resulting in shortage of beds and oxygen, home care was recommended as a strategy for management of asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 cases. The present study was undertaken to perform home visits and monitor COVID 19 patients who are a part of home-based care programme (HBCP) in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, identification and immediate referral of patients with red flag signs/ symptoms and to identify barriers/challenges faced by health care staff in implementing the programme. Methodology: The present study was a cross-sectional study with universal sampling. It was carried out as part of a district programme for management of home isolation COVID-19 patients. The team visited the houses of COVID-19 patients and evaluated them. Result(s): A total of 112 COVID-19 patients were in home isolation during the study period in Puttur Taluk. Hypertension (29.5%) was the most common co-morbidity and nearly two-fifths (41.1%) of the study participants had one or more comorbidities. Almost two-third (63%) of the patients with comorbidities were symptomatic compared to only 29.4% of patients without any comorbidities. Of the six patients who had saturation of less than 95% five were more than 60 years of age, only one had received vaccination against COVID-19 and all had comorbidities. The HBCP had to face several challenges as the team members could not be in full PPE because of long distances between the houses and hard to reach areas. Conclusion(s): Overall, it is a helpful initiative for patients as the health services were provided at the doorstep during the time of restriction of movement. This can be an important tool in managing not only COVID pandemic but also future outbreaks that may follow.Copyright © 2023, Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists. All rights reserved.

IN-HOSPITAL CLINICAL COURSE, OUTCOME AND COMPLICATIONS AMONG PATIENTS VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

This retrospective case-series analysis evaluated 403 fully vaccinated with Vero Cell or Sputnik V vaccines patients hospitalized in the 6th City Clinical Hospital of Minsk in the period between January 01 and February 28, 2022 with the main diagnosis of "coronavirus infection (COVID-19)". The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR or SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen tests, as well as chest computed tomography data. The study revealed higher prevalence of older patients (over 65 years) infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and hospitalized in early 2022, at the height of the wave of the pandemic due to the spread of the Omicron variant. Most patients (91.8 %) had moderate symptoms. More than half of them received oxygen support. A relatively small number of inpatient, only 8 persons (1.9 %), were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) and four of them needed mechanical ventilation. Comor-bid conditions and high incidence of mortality (63.5 %) were common in ICU patients. Hypertension and obesity prevailed in the structure of comorbid pathology of all inpatient persons (74.2 and 24.3 %, respectively). Patients of therapeutic departments had relatively short length of stay in the hospital, as well as low in-hospital mortality (0.5 %) and low incidence of complications (5.3 %).Copyright © 2023 The authors.

Appropriate information provision about covid-19 and sars-cov-2 vaccine improves vaccination anxiety in patients with autoimmune liver disease.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread worldwide. Although several vaccines have been developed to control the spread of the disease, the safety and efficacy of the vaccine to patients with autoimmune liver disease are uncertain. However, subjects need to decide whether to receive the vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study found that 29 of 40 patients with autoimmune liver disease experienced anxiety to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. After providing information about COVID-19 and the vaccines, the number of patients with vaccination anxiety was reduced from 40 to 14 (p=0.000685). Appropriate provision of the information of COVID-19 and the vaccine improved vaccine anxiety in patients with autoimmune liver disease.Copyright © 2021 The Japan Society of Hepatology.

Pathological findings in semen analysis from COVID-19 survivors and the impact of various SARS-COV-2 vaccines on spermatogenesis.

Male reproductive health depends on many factors, including whether infectious diseases occur in the reproductive system. Such changes may be reflected in the semen analysis. In the past three years, the number of individuals who fell ill with COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been growing worldwide, including in Russia. This infection causes dysfunction and a negative effect on many organs and systems, including reproductive organs, which is reflected in abnormal semen parameters. Despite the high efficacy and small number of side effects found in clinical trials, only 56% of the population in the US and 49% in the Russian Federation reported wanting the vaccine. One of the reasons for distrust of vaccines is the potential negative impact on fertility. A literature review is devoted to the study of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination on male reproductive health. The search was carried out using Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE databases.Copyright © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with multiple myeloma: survey in 23 centers across Europe and USA

Introduction: Despite several studies, the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on patients with multiple myeloma remains uncertain. Material(s) and Method(s): We performed a survey that covered the period of the first and second waves of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in 23 centers inseven countries. Out of 352 patients with myeloma and SARS-CoV-2, 23% died. Results/Conclusions: Logistic regression showed a lower risk of death among patients treated with proteasome inhibitor and a higher risk of death for those who had a severe or a very severe course of disease.Copyright © 2023 Sciendo. All rights reserved.

Stem cells used in infectious diseases like pneumonia, respiratory infections and Covid-19: A study based on doctor's opinion

Worldwide, infectious diseases have contributed significantly to morbidity and mortality;among the leading causes of death are pneumonia, respiratory infections and Covid-19. Stem cell therapy will be used to treat virus-infected patients in an effective and safe manner. A cross-sectional questionnaire was used to collect data from doctors. Most doctors are aware of the applications of stem cells, but they do not confirm their usage because clinical trials are ongoing. Instead, they show support for using stem cells to treat patients. Stem cells have been hoping to help repair damaged tissues in the respiratory system to promote faster recovery. Stem Cells are being studied in current clinical trials for their efficacy and safety in virus severe pneumonia and respiratory infections. The doctors suggested that stem cells have been used in infectious diseases to improve their health.Copyright © 2023 Health Biotechnology And Biopharma. All rights reserved.

Vaccination of children against COVID-19: foreign experience (literature review).

The need to vaccinate children under the age of 12 against COVID-19 remains an object of discussion today. The relatively low risk associated with infection in children and the ambiguous conclusions when comparing the effects of vaccination and the transferred disease are grounds to believe that the ratio of risk and benefit of vaccination in this age group is more complex. One of the key arguments in favor of vaccinating healthy children is to protect them from the long-term effects of COVID-19. In addition, socially significant factors such as a decrease in the spread of infection, the cost of vaccine supplies or damage associated with the organization of quarantine measures (including the closure of schools and the transfer of the educational process to a remote format) should be taken into account. The dynamics of the situation requires a constant reassessment of the risk and benefits of specific prevention in children. The purpose of this literature review is to systematize objective data concerning the foreign experience of vaccination of children against COVID-19;arguments for and against vaccination, which complicate the decision-making on the issue under study at one level or another.Copyright © 2023 The authors.

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in an adolescent girl with rapidly progressive dyspnea

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease, especially in pediatrics, but important to consider, as it may avoid unnecessary and/or invasive investigations and delayed diagnosis. This case report highlights an adolescent girl with rapid onset dyspnea but an unremarkable physical exam and initial testing. However, due to a high index of suspicion, a chest computed tomography (CT) scan was done, revealing a "crazy paving" pattern, which then prompted expedited assessment. This finding, however, is not as specific as often discussed and has a broad differential diagnosis, which will be reviewed in detail as part of this case. Furthermore, this report demonstrates a diagnostic approach for PAP that avoids lung biopsy, previously considered to be required for diagnosis of PAP, but is increasingly becoming unnecessary with more advanced blood tests and understanding of their sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, management strategies for PAP will be briefly discussed.Copyright © 2022 Canadian Thoracic Society.

National calendar of preventive vaccinations: present and future

In the context of a pandemic of a new coronavirus infection, vaccine prophylaxis within the framework of the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations (NCPV) is an absolute priority in the fight against infectious diseases. The lecture presents the structure and features of the NCPV, the main directions of its improvement, information on the priority infections for vaccination. The strategy of immunization throughout life, which guarantees the creation of maximum protection against infections and preservation of the optimal level of health of people without age restrictions, is considered. Information is provided on approaches to vaccination of various patient populations against new coronavirus, pertussis, pneumococcal, and rotavirus infections. The presented lecture materials can be useful both to medical students and doctors of various specialties (infectious disease specialists, pediatricians, epidemiologists, bacteriologists).Copyright © 2022 by the authors.

Vaccination of patients with allergic disease against novel coronavirus infection: Position paper of the russian association of allergology and clinical immunology

One of the key tasks of the previous year is to stop the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which became a pandemic that led to the deaths of more than 4 million people worldwide and more than 140 thousand deaths in Russia. COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (2019-nCoV) virus of the coro-navirus family. Vaccination plays a leading role in ending the pandemic. Currently, five vaccines against COVID-19 have been registered in Russia, namely, Sputnik V, Sputnik light, EpiVacCorona, EpiVacCorona-H, and SoviVak. The short follow-up period and absence of randomized placebo-controlled trials of COVID-19 vaccines in certain patients with chronic diseases lead to several questions about the effectiveness/safety of vaccination in these patients. Given the wide spread of allergic diseases and the heterogeneity of patients with allergopathology, experts of the Russian Association of Allergology and Clinical Immunology have developed and approved a position paper on vaccination of patients with allergopathology.Copyright © 2020 Pharmarus Print Media.