Evaluation of student-pharmacists' experiences in COVID-19 vaccination clinics

Objective: To examine the impact that participation in 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID19) vaccination clinics had on students' self-assessed ability to vaccinate and secondarily, to examine the impact these experiences had on student perspectives of pharmacist engagement in public health. Methods: Student pharmacists who volunteered in COVID-19 vaccination clinics were invited to complete an anonymous, electronic survey consisting of items pertaining to their self-assessed ability to vaccinate and attitudes towards pharmacist engagement in public health in a retrospective pre/post-experience. Results: Students indicated that the experiences were valuable, participation increased their comfort level with vaccination, and they were better prepared to engage in vaccination following engagement. Additionally, student attitudes toward pharmacist engagement in public health improved after engagement. Conclusion: Participation in COVID-19 vaccination clinics had a positive effect on students' self-efficacy toward vaccination and their attitudes toward pharmacist engagement in public health. Similar opportunities should be promoted to student-pharmacists to facilitate their professional development.

Study of the Effect of Covid 19 Vaccination in Antenatal Women on Maternal and Fetal Outcome in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: SARS-Cov-2 infection during pregnancy causes adverse effects on the maternal and foetal outcome. In order to minimize the adverse outcomes of COVID-19 infection, Government of India recommends COVID-19 vaccination during antenatal period with Covaxin and Covishield. Despite the recommendation of vaccination by the Government of India, there are few clinical trials and still there exists a gap in the knowledge and awareness of outcome of pregnant women after COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Material(s) and Method(s): This is a prospective observational study conducted in 50 antenatal women who were already vaccinated at a tertiary care hospital in Southern India from August 2021 to October 2021. All antenatal women who were already vaccinated and attending the OPD were considered for further follow-up. Result(s): This study was conducted among 50 antenatal women who received COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Among these antenatal women, 27 (54%) were multigravida, 23(46%) were primigravida, 32(64 %) completed 2 doses of covid vaccination, and 18(36%) took a single dose in antenatal period. Among the vaccinated 27(54%) pregnant women had no symptoms after vaccination. Though 23(46%) women had symptoms after vaccination, symptoms are mild and resolved within 48 hours. All vaccinated antenatal women were observed till delivery, among them 46 (92%) had term deliveries, 4(8%) had preterm deliveries and 8[16%] new-born babies required NICU admission. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 vaccination was not associated with adverse immediate pregnancy outcomes or new born complications. Hence COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended in antenatal period.Copyright © 2023 Dr. Yashwant Research Labs Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Factors, enablers and challenges for COVID-19 vaccine development.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a sense of vulnerability and urgency that led to concerted actions by governments, funders, regulators and industry to overcome traditional challenges for the development of vaccine candidates and to reach authorisation. Unprecedented financial investments, massive demand, accelerated clinical development and regulatory reviews were among the key factors that contributed to accelerating the development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines benefited of previous scientific innovations such as mRNA and recombinant vectors and proteins. This has created a new era of vaccinology, with powerful platform technologies and a new model for vaccine development. These lessons learnt highlight the need of strong leadership, to bring together governments, global health organisations, manufacturers, scientists, private sector, civil society and philanthropy, to generate innovative, fair and equitable access mechanisms to COVID-19 vaccines for populations worldwide and to build a more efficient and effective vaccine ecosystem to prepare for other pandemics that may emerge. With a longer-term view, new vaccines must be developed with incentives to build expertise for manufacturing that can be leveraged for low/middle-income countries and other markets to ensure equity in innovation, access and delivery. The creation of vaccine manufacturing hubs with appropriate and sustained training, in particular in Africa, is certainly the way of the future to a new public health era to safeguard the health and economic security of the continent and guarantee vaccine security and access, with however the need for such capacity to be sustained in the interpandemic period.

Global polio eradication; can we replicate the smallpox success story?

Although the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has been largely successful in elimination of polio from various parts of the world, sporadic local outbreaks in non-endemic areas continue to pose a threat to global polio eradication efforts. In the two endemic countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, a staggering 176 cases of wild poliovirus 1 (WPV1) were reported in 2019. In 2020 alone, 959 cases of Circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus 2 were reported globally from 27 countries. After staying polio-free for years, cases of WPV were detected in Malawi and Mozambique in 2022. The roots of the reported strains matched with the WPV strain from Pakistan. The emergence of WPV cases in Malawi and Mozambique underscores the fact that WPV still has the chance to spread beyond the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and sustained efforts are required for its complete eradication. In the case of smallpox, surveillance-containment was the key to eradication as many countries had already eradicated smallpox and the bigger concern was to track and contain any new cases emerging. Smallpox eradication followed a comprehensive plan which included elements like quality control and standardisation of vaccination protocols. Governments all over the world should prioritise immunisation drives, surveillance, and awareness campaigns to achieve the dream of a polio-free world.

Four cases of audio-vestibular disorders related to immunisation with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines.

OBJECTIVE: To gain medical insight into the clinical course and safety of otolaryngologic disorders following immunisation with severe acute respiratory coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA-based vaccines. DESIGN: Case description. STUDY SAMPLE: We report four cases of transient audio-vestibular symptoms, which occurred shortly after inoculation of two BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech®) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna®) vaccines. RESULTS: Hearing loss was unilateral in all cases and recovered at least partially: it was associated with persistent gait instability in two cases, after 1 and 7 months. Trigger mechanisms underpinning audio-vestibular impairment remain uncertain. Immune tolerance mechanisms with off-target innate activation of T-lymphocytes may be involved in vestibulocochlear nerve disorders, as for other cranial nerves involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of audio-vestibular manifestations following mRNA-based vaccines needs ENT monitoring to support their causality in such rare vaccine-related adverse events. Audio-vestibular disorders appeared of transitory nature, including hearing loss, and should not deter further efforts in large-scale vaccination campaigns against SARS-CoV-2.

Acute myopericarditis and left shoulder capsulitis following second dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Moderna vaccination.

Vaccination against mRNA SARS-CoV-2 has been administered on a very large scale and various side effects have been described. The increased risk of myopericarditis is known, and only a few cases of shoulder capsulitis have been reported after vaccination. These two pathologies have never been reported in the same patient after vaccination. Our article presents the history of a man in his 40s who presented with myopericarditis a few days after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with mRNA(Messenger RNA) Moderna® vaccine and who at the same time developed shoulder capsulitis. His cardiovascular symptoms resolved rapidly, and his shoulder symptoms improved/resolved within 1 year. This case should make physicians aware of the possibility of several concomitant side effects following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

Vaccine access, equity and justice: COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

Although significant progress has been made in achieving goals for COVID-19 vaccine access, the quest for equity and justice remains an unfinished agenda. Vaccine nationalism has prompted calls for new approaches to achieve equitable access and justice not only for vaccines but also for vaccination. This includes ensuring country and community participation in global discussions and that local needs to strengthen health systems, address issues related to social determinants of health, build trust and leverage acceptance to vaccines, are addressed. Regional vaccine technology and manufacturing hubs are promising approaches to address access challenges and must be integrated with efforts to ensure demand. The current situation underlines the need for access, demand and system strengthening to be addressed along with local priorities for justice to be achieved. Innovations to improve accountability and leverage existing platforms are also needed. Sustained political will and investment is required to ensure ongoing production of non-pandemic vaccines and sustained demand, particularly when perceived threat of disease appears to be waning. Several recommendations are made to govern towards justice including codesigning the path forward with low-income and middle-income countries; establishing stronger accountability measures; establishing dedicated groups to engage with countries and manufacturing hubs to ensure that the affordable supply and predictable demand are in balance; addressing country needs for health system strengthening through leveraging existing health and development platforms and delivering on product presentations informed by country needs. Even if difficult, we must converge on a definition of justice well in advance of the next pandemic.

Psychosocial factors associated with the intention to get a COVID-19 booster vaccine: evidence from a low-income country.

Aim: To identify psychosocial predictors of the intention to get a booster COVID-19 vaccine in a low-income country, given that increasing booster vaccination rates against COVID-19 remains a global challenge, especially among low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Subject and methods: We used an online survey to collect responses from a non-probabilistic sample of 720 Bolivians regarding vaccine uptake, motives, perceived confidence, information sources, attitudes favouring COVID-19 vaccines, biosafety behaviour, and sociodemographic characteristics. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to identify significant associations and predictors. Results: We found that having already received the third dose, obtaining recommendations from family or friends, recommendation from the government, perceived confidence in the previously received dose, and higher attitudes in favour of COVID-19 vaccines significantly predicted the intention to get a booster dose. The associations were significant even when adjusting the model for sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: Including certain psychosocial factors could enhance the promotion of voluntary booster doses among residents of low- and middle-income countries such as Bolivia, where cultural, social, political, and contextual variables may influence health behaviour and increase health-associated risk factors. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-023-01937-x.

COVID-19 vaccines and the pandemic: lessons learnt for other neglected diseases and future threats.

Through the experiences gained by accelerating new vaccines for both Ebola virus infection and COVID-19 in a public health emergency, vaccine development has benefited from a 'multiple shots on goal' approach to new vaccine targets. This approach embraces simultaneous development of candidates with differing technologies, including, when feasible, vesicular stomatitis virus or adenovirus vectors, messenger RNA (mRNA), whole inactivated virus, nanoparticle and recombinant protein technologies, which led to multiple effective COVID-19 vaccines. The challenge of COVID-19 vaccine inequity, as COVID-19 spread globally, created a situation where cutting-edge mRNA technologies were preferentially supplied by multinational pharmaceutical companies to high-income countries while low and middle-income countries (LMICs) were pushed to the back of the queue and relied more heavily on adenoviral vector, inactivated virus and recombinant protein vaccines. To prevent this from occurring in future pandemics, it is essential to expand the scale-up capacity for both traditional and new vaccine technologies at individual or simultaneous hubs in LMICs. In parallel, a process of tech transfer of new technologies to LMIC producers needs to be facilitated and funded, while building LMIC national regulatory capacity, with the aim of several reaching 'stringent regulator' status. Access to doses is an essential start but is not sufficient, as healthcare infrastructure for vaccination and combating dangerous antivaccine programmes both require support. Finally, there is urgency to establish an international framework through a United Nations Pandemic Treaty to promote, support and harmonise a more robust, coordinated and effective global response.

Oral-only antibiotics for bone and joint infections in children: study protocol for a nationwide randomised open-label non-inferiority trial.

INTRODUCTION: Children with bone and joint infections are traditionally treated with intravenous antibiotics for 3-10 days, followed by oral antibiotics. Oral-only treatment has not been tested in randomised trials. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Children (3 months to 18 years) will be randomised 1:1 with the experimental group receiving high-dose oral antibiotics and the control group receiving intravenous antibiotics with a shift in both groups to standard oral antibiotics after clinical and paraclinical improvement. Children in need of acute surgery or systemic features requiring intravenous therapy, including septic shock, are excluded. The primary outcome is defined as a normal blinded standardised clinical assessment 6 months after end of treatment. Secondary outcomes are non-acute treatment failure and recurrent infection. Outcomes will be compared by a non-inferiority assumption with an inferiority margin of 5%. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial has the potential to reduce unnecessary hospitalisation and use of intravenous antibiotics in children with bone or joint infections. Due to the close follow-up, exclusion of severely ill children and predefined criteria for discontinuation of the allocated therapy, we expect the risk of treatment failure to be minimal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04563325.

Experience of volunteer medical students assisting in the healthcare worker influenza vaccine program at a tertiary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: For a more rapid rollout of staff influenza vaccination, medical student assistance with a vaccination program was sought during a time when the healthcare workforce was facing unprecedented pressures. This study explored the experience of both the students and supervising nursing staff involved.Innovation: Volunteer medical students were recruited to assist nurse immunisers in a staff influenza vaccination program. The education of medical students involved three components: an online educational session, written and video resources and direct supervision by trained nursing staff.Evaluation and outcomes: Qualitative data was collected from online surveys completed by medical students and structured interviews conducted with students and supervising nursing staff. The interviews underwent thematic analysis. Seventy-four percent (17/23) of medical students completed the survey. Three students and two supervising nurses completed interviews. Ninety-four percent of students strongly agreed they were confident in performing intramuscular injections after participating in the program compared with only 12% prior to participation. The interviews identified that medical students were motivated by gaining clinical experience, feeling useful during the pandemic and an altruistic desire to assist the healthcare workforce. Nursing staff displayed some initial hesitation working with medical students, which was alleviated after their competence was demonstrated.What's next? Clinical opportunities that allow medical students to learn or refine skills, whilst also assisting in areas of need, serve a dual purpose in the setting of the pandemic. This program highlights the benefits to students of participating in a staff vaccination program and provides evidence for their involvement in the ongoing rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.

Vaccines and Bell's palsy: A narrative review.

The association between vaccines and peripheral facial palsy (PFP), an issue that has been the subject of debate for many years, has been raised again following results of clinical trials assessing mRNA based COVID-19 vaccines. To review the available literature on this topic, PubMed was searched from inception until February 25, 2022. Inclusion criteria were case reports with documented rechallenge and comparative epidemiological studies. Cases of COVID-19 vaccine-induced PFP with available data on vaccine rechallenge were also identified from Vigibase until December 31, 2021. Of the 347 articles retrieved, 32 comparative epidemiological studies, 1 meta-analysis and 4 case reports met our criteria, of which 13 involved COVID-19 vaccines. Eight studies found an association between at least one vaccine and the occurrence of PFP, whereas 24 did not. Positive studies involved seasonal or pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines administered parenterally (4 studies) or intranasally (1 study with a toxin-adjuvanted vaccine), BNT162b2, a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (1 disproportionality analysis and 1 observed-to-expected analysis) and an inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine (CoronaVac®) (1 study combining a case-control and an observed-to-expected approach). Strong evidence was found only for the intranasal influenza vaccine while other positive studies detected only a marginal association between PFP and vaccination. Of the four case reports with documented rechallenge, only two were positive and involved an influenza vaccine and tozinameran in one case each. In Vigibase, rechallenge was documented in 49 reports with 29 (59.2%) cases being negative and 20 (40.8%) positive. The available data did not confirm an excess risk of PFP after vaccination in most studies. Moreover, of the eight epidemiological studies suggesting a possible excess risk of PFP after any vaccine, three were disproportionality analyses and two observed-to excepted analyses, suggesting great caution should be taken when interpreting these results.

Structure of Adverse Events Following Immunisation against Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) in the Kyrgyz Republic.

There is considerable interest worldwide in developing safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19. Pharmacovigilance of adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) is a key to making informed decisions regarding the global COVID-19 vaccination campaign. In the Kyrgyz Republic, there have been developed a national immunisation information system (IIS) for automated recording of vaccines, vaccinated persons, and AEFIs and a mobile application for AEFI reporting, called Den Sooluk. The aim of the study was to analyse the pattern of AEFIs against COVID-19 in the Kyrgyz Republic. Material(s) and Method(s): the study analysed the spontaneous safety reports submitted to the national IIS database through the Den Sooluk mobile application from 29.03.2021 to 25.09.2022. Result(s): according to the data available by 25.09.2022, the total number of vaccinated people in the country amounted to 2,940,082. At the time, the IIS database included 2111 AEFIs: 1 fatal (and coincidental), 3 severe and 2108 minor ones. AEFIs were more frequent in the young and middle-aged population (81.5%), than in the elderly (18.5%). The following AEFIs were reported: injection site pain (21.25%), fatigue (20.7%), headache (19.8%), body temperature above 38 C (10.10%), miscellaneous symptoms (5.12%), chills (4.41%), dizziness (4.32%), sore throat (3.36%), myalgia (2.9%), and nausea (2.2%). Conclusion(s): all COVID-19 vaccines used in the Kyrgyz Republic can be considered adequately safe. Pharmacovigilance of AEFIs is an integral part of the requirements to ensure the safe use of vaccines, and collecting of spontaneous reports on AEFIs supports adequate functioning of the post-marketing surveillance system. It is essential to provide access to electronic information platforms to health professionals and patients in order to ensure vaccination transparency and coordination and enable quick and safe reporting of AEFIs associated with the use of COVID-19 vaccines.Copyright © NEICON ISP LLC. All rights reserved.

Vaccine Mandates in the COVID-19 Era: Changing Paradigm or Public Health Opportunity? Comment on "Convergence on Coercion: Functional and Political Pressures as Drivers of Global Childhood Vaccine Mandates”

The debate around vaccine mandates has flourished over the last decade, with several countries introducing or extending mandatory childhood vaccinations. In a recent study, Attwell and Hannah explore how functional and political pressures added to public health threats in selected countries, motivating governments to increase the coerciveness of their childhood vaccine regimes. In this commentary, we reflect on whether such model applies to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case and how the pandemic has re-shuffled the deck around vaccine mandates. We identify COVID-19 immunisation policies' distinctive aspects as we make the case of countries implementing mass immunisation programmes while relying on digital COVID-19 certificates as an indirect form of mandate to increase vaccine uptake. We conclude by acknowledging that different forms of mandatory vaccination might serve as a shortcut to protect population health in times of emergency, underlining, however, that the ultimate public health goal is to promote voluntary, informed, and responsible adherence to preventive behaviours. © 2023 The Author(s);Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.

'Getting the vaccine makes me a champion of it': Exploring perceptions towards peer-to-peer communication about the COVID-19 vaccines amongst Australian adults.

OBJECTIVES: Peer-to-peer communication approaches have been previously described as the 'power of personal referral'. Rather than relying on official channels of information, peer-to-peer communication may have a role in supporting changes in understanding and possibly behaviours. However, in emergency or pandemic situations, there is currently limited understanding of whether community members feel comfortable speaking about their vaccine experiences or advocating to others. This study explored the perceptions of COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated Australian adults regarding their preferences and opinions about peer-peer communication and other vaccine communication strategies. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative interview research. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted in September 2021 with 41 members of the Australian community. Thirty-three participants self-identified as being vaccinated against COVID-19, while the remainder were not vaccinated at the time or did not intend on receiving a COVID vaccine. RESULTS: Amongst those who were vaccinated, participants spoke about being willing to promote the vaccine and correct misinformation and felt empowered following their vaccination. They highlighted the importance of peer-to-peer communication and community messaging, expressing the need for both strategies in an immunisation promotional campaign, with a slight emphasis on the persuasive power of communication between family and friends. However, those who were unvaccinated tended to dismiss the role of community messaging, commenting on a desire not to be like one of the many who listened to the advice of others. CONCLUSION: During emergency situations, governments and other relevant community organisations should consider harnessing peer-to-peer communication amongst motivated individuals as a health communication intervention. However further work is needed to understand the support that this constituent-involving strategy requires. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Participants were invited to participate through a series of online promotional pathways including emails and social media posts. Those who completed the expression of interest and met the study criteria were contacted and sent the full study participant information documentation. A time for a 30 min semi-structured interview was set and provided with a $50 gift voucher at the conclusion.

Cerebellar and brainstem stroke possibly associated with booster dose of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine.

As COVID-19 vaccination becomes widely available and administered globally, there have been several reports of side effects attributed to the vaccine. This report highlights a patient who developed stroke 2 days following the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, although its association remains uncertain. A man in his late 30s developed acute neurological symptoms 2 days after receiving the booster dose of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. History and neurological examination suggested a posterior circulation stroke, which was confirmed by MRI, as a right-sided posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke. Full workup did not suggest other causes of the stroke. Due to the patient's age and well-controlled risk factors, it was presumed to be a rare adverse effect of the vaccine. Medical management with aspirin, statin therapy and rehabilitation led to the improvement of symptoms and enabled ongoing restoration of function. Further cases of stroke following administration of COVID-19 vaccine have been documented in the literature, but the association is yet to be established.

Changes in vaccination administration in Japan.

This paper reviews the administration related to vaccination in Japan after the enactment of the Immunization Act in 1948, under which vaccination was implemented mandatory for the public. To enhance the effectiveness of vaccination activities, the government implemented group vaccination, which is convenient for vaccinating recipients all at once. In 1976, Japan established the relief system for health damage after vaccination. While some projects, such as the mass administration of live oral polio vaccine in 1961, achieved excellent results, incidents leading to health damage occurred, such as the diphtheria toxoid immunization incident (1948) and frequent occurrence of aseptic meningitis owing to the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (1989). In December 1992, the Tokyo High Court sentenced that the onset of health damage after vaccination could be attributed to the negligence of the national government. In the revision of the Immunization Act in 1994, the "mandatory vaccination" enforced until then was changed to "recommended vaccination." The Act was also changed to recommend "individual vaccination" in principle, which is performed after primary care physicians investigate the physical condition of individual recipients and carefully conduct preliminary examination. For approximately 20 years from the 1990s, a vaccine gap existed between Japan and other countries. From around 2010, efforts have been made to bridge this gap and establish the global standard in vaccination.

Characteristics of immunisation support programmes in Canada: a scoping review and environmental scan.

OBJECTIVE: To identify, characterise and map the existing knowledge about programmes that provide immunisation support to Canadians and barriers and facilitators to their delivery. DESIGN: Scoping review and environmental scan. INTRODUCTION: Vaccine hesitancy may be associated with unmet support needs of individuals. Immunisation support programmes that provide multicomponent approaches can improve vaccine confidence and equitable access. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Canadian programmes that focus on providing information about immunisation for the general public, but excluding articles targeting health professionals. The primary concept involves mapping the characteristics of programmes and our secondary concept examines barriers and facilitators to programme delivery. METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology guided this review, reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. A search strategy was developed and translated for six databases in November 2021 (updated October 2022). Unpublished literature was identified through the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health Grey Matters checklist and other relevant sources. Stakeholders (n=124) from Canadian regional health authorities were also contacted by email for publicly accessible information. Two independent raters screened and extracted data from identified material. Results are presented in tabular form. RESULTS: The search strategy and environmental scan resulted in 15 287 sources. A total of 161 full-text sources were reviewed after applying eligibility criteria, resulting in 50 articles. Programmes were delivered in multiple Canadian provinces, focusing on various vaccine types. All programmes aimed to increase vaccine uptake and were mostly provided in person. Multidisciplinary delivery teams based on collaborations among multiple entities were credited as a facilitator to programme delivery across settings. Limitations on programme resources, attitudes of programme staff and participants, and systems organisation were identified as barriers to delivery. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlighted characteristics of immunisation support programmes across various settings and described multiple facilitators and barriers. These findings can inform future interventions that aim to support Canadians in making decisions about immunisation.

Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines.

By June 1, 2022, there were 38 prophylactic COVID-19 vaccines approved in 197 countries around the world. The ongoing approval of new vaccines and the accumulation of more than a year's worth of data on their use give particular importance to the consolidation and analysis of information on the safety of such vaccines. The aim of study was to analyse the information on adverse events after immunisation (AEFIs) with coronavirus vaccines in the individual case safety reports entered into the VigiBase database by June 1, 2022. Material(s) and Method(s): the author analysed safety reports retrieved from VigiBase through the VigiLyze interface in the expert access mode. The search was carried out using the generic keyword "Covid-19 vaccine" in combination with the trade names of all 38 coronavirus vaccines. Result(s): the article presents consolidated information on the number and content of the safety reports on COVID-19 vaccines. The author noted that the reports were characterised by a high level of information completeness and quality, which could be due to the fact that the main reporters were the countries with developed pharmacovigilance systems. The analysis of patient complaints showed that the reported symptoms of AEFIs coincided with the manifestations of side effects of the vaccines included in the package leaflets. The author carried out a review of the cases of serious AEFIs and the cases of adverse events of special interest requiring additional monitoring after immunisation. It revealed a positive correlation of individual vaccines with the cases of somnolence in post-COVID-19 patients. Conclusion(s): the data obtained on the global safety of coronavirus vaccines may be of practical interest to doctors, researchers, developers, and healthcare regulators.Copyright © 2023 Safety and Risk of Pharmacotherapy. All rights reserved.

Covid-19 vaccination uptake by Hapu Mama - How are we progressing?

The Covid-19 vaccine has been recommended for pregnant people (hapu mama) in Aotearoa New Zealand since June 2021. We surveyed people birthing in a tertiary hospital regarding their vaccination status and reasons for this. There were 74% (142/191) of pregnant people who were fully vaccinated. Motivators for vaccination included protection against Covid-19 and antibody transfer to the baby (pepe). Unvaccinated participants worried about vaccine safety. Concerns were raised about the change in official advice without well-communicated reasons for the change. Future vaccine and booster rollouts must be delivered equitably and hapu mama must be a priority group.Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. © 2022 The Authors. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.