ABSTRACT
Organ transplant recipients are at a high risk of infection with high hospitalization rate, critical rate and fatality, due to low immune function caused by taking immunosuppressants for a period of long time after organ transplantation. Currently, vaccination is recognized as an effective approach to prevent infection. Organ transplant recipients may be vaccinated according to individual conditions. However, the sensitivity to vaccines may decline in organ transplant recipients. The types, methods and timing of vaccination have constantly been the hot spots of clinical trials. In this article, the general principles, specific vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines of vaccination in organ transplant recipients were briefly reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the vaccination of organ transplant recipients. Moreover, current status of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for organ transplant recipients was illustrated under the global outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia pandemic.Copyright © 2022 Journal of Zhongshan University. All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
Adult vaccination rates are low in the United States, despite clear benefits for reducing morbidity and mortality. Vaccine science is evolving rapidly, and family physicians must maintain familiarity with the most recent guidelines. The recommended adult immunization schedule is updated annually by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All eligible patients should receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccines according to the current guidelines. Adults without contraindications should also receive an annual influenza vaccine. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for adults with specific risk factors. All pregnant patients, adults younger than 60 years, and those 60 years and older who have risk factors should receive a hepatitis B vaccine. A 15- or 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for all patients who are 65 years and older. Patients who receive 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive a dose of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine one year later. Adults 19 to 64 years of age should receive a pneumococcal vaccination if they have medical risk factors. A single dose of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is recommended for adults without presumptive immunity, and additional doses are recommended for patients with HIV and postdelivery for pregnant patients who are not immune to rubella. A tetanus and diphtheria toxoids booster is recommended every 10 years. For pregnant patients and those in close contact with young infants, a tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine should be administered. The human papillomavirus vaccine is recommended for all people through 26 years of age. Herpes zoster vaccine is indicated for all adults 50 years and older.Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Family Physicians.
ABSTRACT
Peptide vaccine is not effective due to its low immunogenicity. To improve the efficacy of peptide vaccine against COVID-19, a novel method was developed by mixing a COVID-19 peptide vaccine with a tetanus vaccine. In this study, intramuscular injection of a mixture of COVID-19 peptide vaccine and tetanus vaccine twice, i.e., first dose on day 0 and second dose on day 21, induced neutralizing antibodies against authentic virus of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a horse. Horse serum of day 35, i.e., two weeks after the second dose, neutralized authentic virus of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, equal to half effectiveness of human serum from vaccinees of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. However, neither horse serum nor human serum neutralized Omicron variant authentic virus. No side effects were observed after each dose. This study indicates intramuscular injection of a mixture of COVID-19 peptide vaccine and tetanus vaccine may work in humans to improve peptide vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
ABSTRACT
Vaccines are important for everyone, but they’re critical for adults older than 65 years.
ABSTRACT
GPs have an important role in supporting adolescent vaccination, including ensuring vaccinations are up to date and in promoting health literacy among parents and adolescents. With the recently approved COIVD-19 vaccines and boosters for adolescents, it is timely for GPs to consider missed doses and catch-up vaccination as part of standard preventive health activity for the adolescent patient in general practice.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on influenza and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine uptake in a pregnant, low-income population. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included women initiating prenatal care before (May-November 2019) or during the COVID-19 pandemic (May-November 2020) at two large Medicaid clinics. All patients entered prenatal care before 20 weeks of gestation and delivered full-term. Medical records were reviewed for vaccine uptake and demographic data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare vaccination rates prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional analysis was performed to identify association of demographic factors with vaccine uptake. Institutional review board- approval was obtained for this study. RESULTS: A total of 939 patients were included, with 462 initiating care prior to and 477 initiating care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Influenza vaccination uptake was 78% (362/462) in the pre-pandemic group, significantly decreasing to 61% (291/477) in the pandemic group (P<.01;OR, 0.38;95% CI, 0.26-0.53). Tdap vaccination uptake was 85% (392/462) in the pre-pandemic group, significantly decreasing to 76% (361/477) in the pandemic group (P<.01;OR, 0.56;95% CI, 0.40-0.79). Unvaccinated patients were significantly more likely to be non-Hispanic Black patients when compared to Hispanic patients both pre-pandemic (P<.01;OR, 0.34;95% CI, 0.21-0.56) and during the pandemic (P<.01;OR, 0.24;95% CI, 0.15-0.38), while there was no significant difference in age or parity in relation to vaccination status. CONCLUSION: Routine vaccination uptake significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in a low-income population of pregnant women, with decrease more pronounced on influenza vaccine than on Tdap vaccine uptake.
ABSTRACT
Organ transplant recipients are at a high risk of infection with high hospitalization rate, critical rate and fatality, due to low immune function caused by taking immunosuppressants for a period of long time after organ transplantation. Currently, vaccination is recognized as an effective approach to prevent infection. Organ transplant recipients may be vaccinated according to individual conditions. However, the sensitivity to vaccines may decline in organ transplant recipients. The types, methods and timing of vaccination have constantly been the hot spots of clinical trials. In this article, the general principles, specific vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines of vaccination in organ transplant recipients were briefly reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the vaccination of organ transplant recipients. Moreover, current status of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for organ transplant recipients was illustrated under the global outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia pandemic. © 2022 Journal of Zhongshan University. All Rights Reserved.