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This paper explores relationships between vaccination coverage and indicators at the level oflocal administrative units for the case of rural localities of Romania. Positive correlations have been identified in relation to fiscal capacity, coverage of the population with general practitioners, COVID‐19 incidence rate and absence of a marginalized community within the locality. Regional differences are again highlighted in the analysis. This means that there is at least partially an overlap of the disadvantaged rural areas with the ones registering low vaccination uptakes against COVID‐19. Further on, it means that these territorial areas accumulate a series of structural disadvantages that can prove to increase the discrepancies between them and other rural or large urban areas. The paper contributes to enlarging the perspective on vaccination coverage by adding both conceptual and practical insights. From the point ofview of practitioners, the results of the study can be used to tailor intervention in communities with similar characteristics, to underscore public health inequalities across territories. Points for practitioners are relevant for a wide range of stakeholders from public health, public management, and social protection fields, placed in both local and central level decision‐making positions. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration & Policy is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
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Objectives: Brazil's annual vaccination coverage rate (AVCR) for Polio has risen to alarming levels in recent years. Given the imminent possibility of the return of the disease eradicated 32 years ago in Brazil, the objective was to assess the historical data of AVCR and foresee the Brazilian performance in the next five years. Method(s): We apply a classic linear forecasting model Holt Winter (HW), composed of a forecasting equation and three corresponding smoothing equations alpha, beta, and gamma. The Polio AVCR between 1994 and 2022 was collected from the National Immunization Program and was evaluated in two stages using the R software involving (i) analysis of data, (ii) application of the HW using least squares adjustment. Result(s): The AVCR showed a growing trend between 1994 (38%) and 1999 (86%). From 2000 to 2015, the average AVCR was 78.72%, with the best coverage in 2015 (95.07%). Between 2016 and 2022, the AVCR was 66.75%, with a tendency to reduce over time. Between 2020 and 2022, AVCR had its lower result (64.44%), which can be explained by the postponement of Polio vaccination due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The best adjustment of smoothing alpha, beta and gamma was achieved (0.67, 0, 0) by HW. The forecast showed positive results in the average AVCR, with a growth of 16.71% in the next five years and with an AVCR projection of just 75.89%, in the case of no public health action is endowed by the country. To reach the best AVCR achieved in 2015, it is necessary to expand it by 48.5%. Conclusion(s): Forecasts using HW are recommended for public health monitoring, helping managers make decisions with limited resources. The results indicate that it is necessary to develop a strategic plan to expand AVCR to keep Polio eradicated from Brazil, mainly due to both disease gravity and treatment unavailability.Copyright © 2023
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The aim of this study was to determine the possible influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on dog ownership and anti-rabies vaccination practices in Metropolitan Lima (Peru), taking as a source of information the National Survey of Budgetary Programmes (ENAPRES) carried out by the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica e Informatica (INEI) in the period 2017-2021. The proportion of respondents who owned at least one dog per household had an increasing trend, reaching the highest proportions in the pandemic years (2020: 47.5%;2021: 50.8%). The districts of Lima Sur and Lima Centro presented the highest (52.1-58%) and lowest (31.6-42.4%) proportion of respondents with dogs, respectively. According to the socioeconomic stratum (ESE), dog ownership had an inverse relationship (rs=-0.95), with a higher proportion in sector E (51.5-60.7%) and lower in sector A (32.5-43.1%). The proportion of vaccinated animals had a decreasing trend, reaching the lowest coverage during the pandemic years (2020: 84.8%;2021: 82.4%). The highest proportion of vaccinated dogs was found in Lima Centro (88.1-95.9%). According to ESE, the relationship was direct (rs=0.813). The highest proportion of vaccinated animals during the pre-pandemic and pandemic years occurred in ESE A (90.3-95%) and B (87.8-94.8%). In all the years of the study, the lowest proportions of vaccinated animals were in ESE E (75-80.2%). The study shows that dog ownership and rabies vaccination coverage were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results can be used to assess the sanitary measures implemented to keep the capital free of urban rabies.Copyright © 2023 Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. All rights reserved.
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Objective: To assess influenza vaccination coverage and reasons for vaccination or not in older adults, in the campaigns of 2019 and 2020. Methods: This is a quantitative and longitudinal study, carried out in Tres Lagoas (MS). Older adults registered in health care or social services participated. In the first quarter of 2020, 172 older adults were assessed in person, of whom 86 were re-interviewed between August and October 2020 through telephone contact. In the first interview, questions were asked about the flu vaccination in 2019 and the reasons for vaccination or not. In the second, the questions were about vaccination in 2020 and why. Vaccination coverage for 2019 and 2020 was compared using the McNemar test. Results: There was a predominance of women, with an average age of 69.1 years. Vaccination coverage in 2019 was 90.7%. Most of them took the vaccine because they believed it was important. As reasons for non-vaccination, the previous reactions and the fact that they did not have the flu were highlighted. In 2020, coverage was 86.0%. Most older adults were vaccinated because the vaccine was available in the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde). The reasons for non-vaccination were fear of leaving home due to the pandemic and lack of professional guidance. There was no significant difference in vaccination coverage in 2019 and 2020 (p=0.388). Conclusion: Vaccination coverage decreased in the year of the pandemic, with no significant difference. Reliable information from healthcare professionals and the media is essential for maintaining high vaccination coverage. © 2022 Departamento de Enfermagem/Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo. All rights reserved.
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Objectives: Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum contains primary care electronic health records, including vaccinations and nearly complete capture of SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results between August 2020-March 2022. Our objective was to build code lists to define a cohort of persons diagnosed with COVID in England using routinely collected health data. Method(s): Persons aged 1 year or older were indexed on first COVID diagnosis from August 1, 2020 - January 31, 2022. We developed SNOMED code lists to define high risk of severe disease: 1) National Health Service's (NHS) list of highest risk conditions;2) PANORAMIC trial inclusion criteria;3) UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) clinical risk groups. COVID vaccinations were defined as of December 1, 2021 using medical and product codes. Code lists were developed using wildcard search terms which were reviewed by multiple independent reviewers, and inclusion/exclusion was determined by consensus. All lists for diagnoses were reviewed by a UK physician. Result(s): We identified 2,257,907 people diagnosed in primary care with COVID;46% were male and mean age was 34 years, comparable to governmental data for the same period reporting 47% of cases in England were male and mean age was 34 years. We identified 12% at high risk of severe disease using the NHS definition, 31% using the PANORAMIC trial criteria, and 10% using the UKHSA clinical risk groups. Among adults, 86.1% had >=1 and 80.2% had >=2 COVID vaccine doses (2% and 0.2% lower than official reports, respectively). Conclusion(s): This cohort represented the age and sex distribution of COVID cases, and the COVID vaccination coverage, in England through January 2022. Definitions were built using reproducible methods that can be leveraged for future work. The high capture of COVID vaccinations supports the use of this cohort to examine clinical and societal benefits of COVID vaccination in England.Copyright © 2023
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(1) Background: The incidence proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Poland is not exactly known. This study aims to present secondary epidemiological data identifying the scale of the spread of novel coronavirus infection and the estimation of vaccination coverage in selected professional groups of HCWs in Poland. (2) Methods: The secondary epidemiological data included both the number of infections and infection fatality rate (IFR) in individual occupational groups, which occurred throughout the observation period (January 2021-July 2022), both in the country and in individual voivodeship (administrative area). (3) Results: The incidence proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs was 16.48%. The highest percentage of infected workers concerned laboratory scientists (21.62%) and paramedics (18%). The highest frequency of infections among HCWs occurred in the province of Zachodnio-Pomorskie (18.9%). Due to COVID-19, 558 healthcare workers died during the analysed period, mostly nurses (n = 236) and doctors (n = 200). The results regarding the vaccination coverage of HCWs against COVID-19 indicate the highest percentage of vaccinated were among doctors (83.63%) and the lowest among physiotherapists (38.2%). (4) Conclusions: In general, the percentage of infections was high in Poland during the pandemic (16.48%). Significant territorial differences were observed in the frequency of infections, deaths, and percentage of vaccinated workers in individual voivodeships.
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Estimating seroprevalence and vaccination coverage against COVID-19 is crucial to the development of well-targeted public health policies at the local level. Here, we estimated seroprevalence and vaccination coverage in a lower-middle-class population in Brazil. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, population-based survey from 24 September to 19 December 2021. CMIA tests were used to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG against the N-protein. The overall seroprevalence was 24.15% (177/733), and vaccination coverage was 91.40% (670/733); 72.09% (483/670) were fully vaccinated. Among vaccinated participants, seroprevalence was 24.77% (95% CI 21.50-28.04; 166/670), with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 1.03 (95% CI 0.98-1.08; p-value 0.131). Among participants who received an mRNA vaccine with S-based epitope (485), seroprevalence was 16.29% (95% CI 13.04-19.85; 79/485). Among unvaccinated participants, seroprevalence was 17.46% (95% CI 10.04-28.62; 11/63). Finally, in spite of the political climate and other possible causes for vaccine hesitancy, the positive Brazilian culture towards vaccination might have curbed hesitancy.
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This case study refutes some controversial findings about a minor connection between the vaccination coverage and the spread of COVID-19. We try to eliminate some methodological shortcomings and risks, which are included in such previously published studies. Firstly, our selection comprises all regional units in one country. Secondly, the quality of data is basically identical in all examined regions within the country. Thirdly, all Slovak regions had an equal starting position. They were at the same stages of the COVID-19 wave, and the measures taken were analogous in all regions. Slovakia with a significantly different vaccination rates among regions is a very suitable study case. We used the empirical data at the level of its LAU 1 regions for the two latest COVID-19 waves at that time (Delta, Omicron). The methods of regression analysis and geostatistical methods were applied in the study. Indubitably, there is an obvious link between the vaccination coverage and the spread of COVID-19. We have shown that the incidence-trajectories among regions vary based on the vaccination rates. The positivity and incidence in the most vaccinated regional populations were significantly lower than in the least vaccinated regions in a whole analyzed period. Their values in the best vaccinated regions were lower by roughly 20-25 % during the delta and omicron wave-peaks. Using the spatial autocorrelation, we also managed to clearly identify a close relationship between vaccination on the one hand and standardized incidence and positivity on the other hand, although some regions deviated from this general finding.
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Given the actual risk of poliomyelitis outbreaks in the region due to poliovirus derived from the Sabin vaccine or the importation of wild poliovirus, the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases commissioned an ad hoc group of experts from the institution's Vaccines and Biologicals Committee, to draft an official position paper on the urgent need to increase immunization levels against the disease in the region and incorporate inactivated polio vaccine exclusive schedules in all national immunization programs. This publication discusses the main conclusions and recommendations generated as a result of such activity.Copyright © 2022, Sociedad Chilena de Infectologia. All rights reserved.
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In 2018-19, even before the pandemic, the world experienced major outbreaks of measles with 140,000 reported deaths mostly in low income countries where children suffer from malnutrition and overcrowding. In areas recovering from natural disasters and conflict areas and most children remain unvaccinated, outbreaks occur. The Philippines suffered similarly, with a devastating outcome and deaths of more than 800 children, even adults, in more than 40,000 hospitalized cases reported in 2019 over a 2 month period. A massive loss of vaccine confidence in 2018, brought about by the controversial introduction of a dengue vaccine reduced childhood vaccination coverage at an all-time low of 40-50%. Previous rates were in the 80-90% and measles was almost on the verge of elimination with no deaths and no cases between 2005-2009. The basic elements of complacency, convenience and confidence plus frequent occurrence of natural disasters over the years contributed much to these measles outbreaks. As a strategy, the government went into a massive supplementary immunization program with measles campaign including home visits to prevent another outbreak in the next 2 years after the pandemic begun. It has been implemented but targets are still wanting. The lessons learned from Measles resurgence are echoing all throughout the world and as the global response to the COVID19 continues, the measles as well as polio and other vaccine- preventable diseases need to be addressed with strategies that each country would find appropriate for them. Without sustained attention, the gains that have been achieved previously could easily get lost.Copyright © 2023
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Objectives: Latest recommendation on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases (SRD) by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) is 3 doses while the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 5 doses. Method(s): We performed a cross-sectional study from April to November 2022 about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in an outpatient rheumatology clinic in northeast Mexico. Consecutive SRD patients with a history of COVID-19 vaccination were invited to participate. Patients without SRD were excluded. Eligible participants completed a survey that included demographic data (age, sex, rheumatic disease diagnosis) and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination history (number of doses, and type of vaccine). Result(s): We recruited 252 patients.Vaccine types administered were: BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) 55 (23.11%);ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) 130 (54.62%);Ad5-nCoV (CanSinoBIO) 31 (13.03%);Coronavac (Sinovac) 9 (3.78%);mRNA-1273 (Moderna)13 (5.46%). (See Table 1 and Table 2) Conclusion(s): Two thirds of our patients met SARS-CoV-2 vaccination recommendations by ACR and EULAR and 5.95% met CDC criteria. Population without any dose represents 6.74%. SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated patients with SRD is associated with a better outcome compared with unvaccinated. Efforts to increase vaccination coverage need to be done.
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Purpose: Since early 2022, the COVID-19 vaccination rate in Bulgaria has remained low, with large regional differences. This study examines the association between the availability of vaccination sites and the number of administered doses, and the extent to which district-level variation is attributable to differences in vaccination services provision. Material(s) and Method(s): Data on COVID-19 vaccine doses administered by districts were used. This data set was combined with district-level information on available vaccination sites, such as general practitioners and temporary vaccination points. The district-level differences in vaccination coverage and service provision were illustrated through country heat maps, and the association between the variables was explored using two linear regression models. Result(s): According to the first regression model, the number of general practitioners and temporary vaccination points accounted for only 3.8% of the district-level variation in administrated doses. As covariates in the second model, sociodemographic and economic data were included. The combined influence of these factors explained 42.2% of the variance across districts. According to the findings, the average annual gross wage is a significant determinant of the district-level differences in the number of administrated doses. Conclusion(s): There is no statistically significant association between administered doses and vaccination sites by districts, which does not correspond to the findings of other international studies. District-level variation in vaccination rates is associated with some sociodemographic and economic differences. The paucity of district-level data impedes further analyses of the vaccine coverage differences and their underlying determinants.Copyright © 2023, Peytchinski, Gospodin Iliev ET. All rights reserved.
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Vaccination is crucial for reducing severe COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. However, vaccine access disparities within countries, particularly in low- and middle-income nations, may leave disadvantaged regions and populations behind. This study aimed to investigate potential inequalities in vaccine coverage among Brazilian aged 18 years and older based on demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic characteristics at the municipal level. A total of 389 million vaccination records from the National Immunization Program Information System were analyzed to calculate vaccine coverage rates for the first, second, and booster doses among adults (18-59 years) and elderly (60 + years) vaccinated between January 2021 and December 2022. We analyzed the data by gender and used a three-level (municipalities, states, regions) multilevel regression analysis to assess the association between vaccine coverage and municipal characteristics. Vaccination coverage was higher among the elderly than among adults, particularly for the second and booster doses. Adult women showed higher coverage rates than men (ranging from 118 % to 25 % higher along the analyzed period). Significant inequalities were observed when analyzing the evolution of vaccination coverage by sociodemographic characteristics of municipalities. In the early stages of the vaccination campaign, municipalities with higher per capita Gross Domestic Product (pGDP), educational level, and fewer Black residents reached higher population coverages earlier. In December 2022, adult and elderly booster vaccine coverage was 43 % and 19 %, respectively, higher in municipalities in the highest quintile of educational level. Higher vaccine uptake was also observed in municipalities with fewer Black residents and higher pGDP. Municipalities accounted for most of the variance in vaccine coverage (59.7 %-90.4 % depending on the dose and age group). This study emphasizes the inadequate booster coverage and the presence of socioeconomic and demographic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. These issues must be addressed through equitable interventions to avoid potential disparities in morbidity and mortality.
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COVID-19 , Vaccines , Male , Aged , Humans , Adult , Female , Brazil/epidemiology , COVID-19 Vaccines , VaccinationABSTRACT
Objective To investigate COVID-19 vaccination status and relevant adverse reactions in patients with psoriasis treated with biological agents, and to explore the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on psoriatic lesions. Methods Clinical data were collected from 572 psoriasis patients aged 18-60 years, who were registered in the management system of psoriasis patients treated with biological agents in the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from May 2019 to June 2021. The COVID-19 vaccination status was investigated by telephone interviews, and the vaccination-related information was obtained by fixed healthcare workers during a fixed time period according to a predesigned questionnaire. Measurement data were compared between two groups by using t test, and enumeration data were compared by using chi- square test or Fisher's exact test. Results The COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate was 43.13%226 casesamong the 524 patients who completed the telephone interview, and was significantly lower in the biological agent treatment group30.79%, 105/341than in the traditional drug treatment group66.12%, 121/183;chi2 = 60.60, P < 0.001. The main reason for not being vaccinated was patients' fear of vaccine safety49.66%, 148/298, followed by doctors' not recommending26.51%, 79/298. In the biological agent treatment group after vaccination, the exacerbation of psoriatic lesions was more common in patients receiving prolonged-interval treatment42.86%, 6/14compared with those receiving regular treatment 4.40%, 4/91;Fisher's exact test, P < 0.001. Skin lesions were severely aggravated in two patients after COVID-19 vaccination, who ever experienced allergic reactions and whose skin lesions did not completely subside after the treatment with biological agents. Conclusions The COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate was relatively low in the psoriasis patients treated with biological agents, and no serious adverse reaction was observed after vaccination. Prolonged-interval treatment due to COVID-19 vaccination ran the risk of exacerbation of skin lesions.Copyright © The Author(s) 2023.
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Vaccination is essential to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination significantly protects against severe COVID-19, hospitalization and death;it also protects against symptomatic infection and reduces the risk of transmission to other people. Protection against the new SARS-CoV-2 variants may be lower, but protection against severe course and death remains high. Two mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) and two vector vaccines (AZD1222 and Ad26.COV2.S) are currently available in the Czech Republic. Vaccination of persons over 60 years of age and immunocompromised persons, who are demonstrably at the highest risk of a serious course of the disease, is of the utmost importance. In order to achieve adequate vaccination coverage, it is necessary to motivate other groups of people to be vaccinated, including children over 12 years of age and young adults. Vaccination is also recommended in preg-nant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters and in breastfeeding women. For selected groups of vaccines, a third dose of vaccination is recommended (additional third dose 4 weeks after the second dose or a booster dose 8 to 12 months after the second dose). The side effects are usually mild, with serious complications (including anaphylaxis, thrombocytopenia with thrombosis syndrome, myocardi-tis, Guillain-Barre syndrome and capillary leak syndrome) being rare.Copyright © 2021, Trios spol. s.r.o.. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: Since the beginning of COVID 19 pandemic, more than 641 million cases and 6.63 million confirmed deaths were reported worldwide. A rapid development of COVID 19 Vaccine was the breakthrough in the prevention and control of COVID 19. India has commenced its vaccination drive from January 16, 2021 and has administered more than 219 crores vaccination to date it its people. On war foot, Reliance Industries Limited also launched its free vaccination coverage program - Mission Vaccine Suraksha for employees, family members, and community by collaborating with local authorities and governments. The organization also provided free vaccination to Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra besides various other national and regional organisations to speed up the vaccination drive. Methodology: A taskforce including stakeholders form the Medical Services, HR, Procurement, Logistics, transportation, digital systems was formed to oversee, implement, monitor, and evaluate a successful vaccine roll-out drive. The drive included Covishield and Covaxin COVID 19 vaccines. As a single point of contact, Reliance Foundation HN Hospital procured, stored, and transported vaccines to all locations. At par with Govt. protocols, Reliance developed its own workplace COVID vaccination centres (CVCs) at its corporate headquarters and 11 other manufacturing sites in Maharashtra and Gujrat. For Cold chain management, Reliance procured Ice Lined Refrigerators (ILRs), refrigerators, vaccine carriers, icepacks, etc. for each CVC. Dedicated medical and paramedical staffs were recruited and trained to carry out vaccination drive with all the COVID 19 protocols in place. Reliance tied up with multiple hospitals to carry out pan-India vaccination drive. The entire operation was digitally enabled by involving mediums such as Reliance's in-house app JioHealthHub (JHH) that included end-to-end vaccination journey, i.e., from slot booking, CoWIN registration, post-vaccination care, uploading of the certificates, etc. Vaccine inventory was monitored by Reliance's digital system named KiviHealth. A vaccination dashboard was created to track real time vaccination update. Result(s): 40 lakh vaccine doses were provided free of cost to support the nationwide vaccination programme. Till date, 31,63,870 beneficiaries were covered under R-Suraksha under which, 15,94,357 people received their 1st dosage, 13,36,613 received the 2nd dose, and 2,32,900 people have received the precautionary dose. Reliance also commenced vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 years covering 7369 children for 1st dose, 5802 children for 2nd dose. Reliance has achieved 100% compliance for 2 doses of COVID 19 vaccination for its employees and contract workers across manufacturing units. Precautionary dose was administered to 75% of employees and contract workers to date. 25 mild and 3 moderate Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) cases were recorded during vaccination at workplace CVCs, which were managed and sent home. Conclusion(s): Reliance's Mission Vaccine Suraksha has reached to all corners of the country, including people with disabilities, the elderly, homeless, and those in far-flung locations. Reliance faced hurdles in procuring and storing of the vaccines at the beginning of the operation. However, this was tackled effectively with strategic approach. The initiative is still ongoing ensuring maximum precautionary dosage coverage for everyone.
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Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has become a substantial global health crisis, unparalleled in world history. Infection dynamics can have specific characteristics in different countries due to social, economic, climatic, or geographic factors. Aim(s): to study features of SARS-CoV-2 collective immunity among the Armenian population. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional, randomized study of collective immunity was carried out according to a program developed by Rospotrebnadzor and the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, taking into account WHO recommendations. The study was approved by the ethics committees of the National Center for Infectious Diseases (Armenia) and the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute (Russia). A volunteer cohort was formed (N = 6057), randomized by age and region. The study's analysis included: shares and distributions of antibodies (Abs) to nucleocapsid (Nc) antigen (Ag) and receptor binding domain (RBD) S-1 Ag in the cohort;and quantitative determination of these Abs by ELISA. During the survey, a history of vaccination was indicated by 4395 people. Results. Overall seropositivity formed in the whole cohort (by April 14, 2022) was 98.6% (95% CI: 98.1-98.7). It did not depend on age, place of residence, or occupation. When quantifying Nc and RBD Abs, the proportions of volunteers with Nc Ab levels of 1-17 BAU/ml and RBD Ab levels of 22.6-220 BAU/ml were the smallest, amounting to 6.9% (95% CI: 6.2-7.5) and 20.4% (95% CI: 19.4-21.4), respectively. With increasing serum concentrations (Nc > 667 BAU/ml, RBD > 450 BAU/ml), the proportions of individuals with the corresponding levels were 20.2% for Nc (95% CI: 19.2-21.3) and 54.2% for RBD (95% CI: 52.9-55.5). Vaccination coverage was 72.6% (95% CI: 71.5-73.7). The most frequently used were Sinopharm/BIBP (32.4%), AZD1222 (22.3%), and Gam-COVID-Vac (21%). The remaining vaccines (CoronaVac, mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, CoviVac) were used by 24.3% of vaccinated individuals. When summing vaccines by platform, it was found that: vector vaccines were used in 40.34% (95% CI: 33.57-42.39) of cases;whole-virion vaccines were used in 26.83% (95% CI: 24.76-32.20);and mRNA vaccines were used in 6.33% (95% CI: 4.84-8.91). Conclusion. The epidemic situation in Armenia by April 2022 was characterized by a high level of collective immunity, independent of age or regional factors. Vector and whole-virion vaccines have been used most widely.Copyright © Popova A.Yu. et al., 2023.
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Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) may be at a greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 due to socio-structural inequities, high-risk behaviors and comorbidities;however, PWID have been underrepresented in case-based surveillance due to lower access to testing. We characterize temporal trends and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among a community-based sample of current and former PWID. Method(s): A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants in the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) study-a community-based cohort of adults with a history of injection drug use in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants' first serum sample collected at routine study visits between December 2020 and July 2022 was assayed for antibodies to the nucleocapsid (N) (past infection) and spike-1 (S) (past infection and/or vaccination) proteins using the MSD V-Plex Panel 2 IgG SARS-CoV-2 assay. For each correlate, we estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) via separate Poisson regression models adjusted for calendar time, age, sex and race. Result(s): Of 561 participants, the median age was 59 years (range=28-77), 35% were female, 84% were Black, 36% were living with HIV (97% on ART), and 55% had received >=1 COVID-19 vaccine dose. Overall, anti-N and anti-S prevalence was 26% and 63%, respectively. Prevalence of anti-N increased from 23% to 40% between December 2020-May 2021 and December 2021-July 2022, with greater increases in the prevalence of anti-S from 34% to 86% over the same period (Figure). Being employed (PR=1.53 [95%CI=1.11-2.11]) and never being married (PR=1.40 [0.99-1.99]) were associated with a higher prevalence of anti-N, while female sex (PR=0.75 [0.55-1.02]) and a history of cancer (PR=0.40 [0.17-0.90]) were associated with a lower prevalence of anti-N. Younger age, female sex (PR=0.90 [0.80-1.02]), and homelessness (PR=0.78 [0.60-0.99]) were associated with a lower prevalence of anti-S. Although HIV infection was not associated with anti-N, it was associated with a higher prevalence of anti-S (PR=1.13 [1.02-1.27]). Substance use was not associated with anti-N or anti-S. Conclusion(s): Anti-N and anti-S levels increased over time, suggesting cumulative increases in SARS-CoV-2 incidence of infection and vaccination among PWID;however, disparities in seroprevalence remain. Younger and female PWID and those experiencing homelessness were less likely to be anti-S positive, suggesting programs should aim to improve vaccination coverage in such vulnerable populations.
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Background: The safety profiles of the Ad26.COV2.S and AZD1222 COVID-19 vaccines have not been described in a general population in Malawi. We present self-reported adverse reactions (AE) following receipt of these vaccines in Malawi as part of a phone-based syndromic surveillance survey. Method(s): We conducted phone-based syndromic surveillance surveys among adults (>=18 years) with verbal consent from July 2020 to April 2022. We used secure tablets through random digit dialing to randomly select mobile phone numbers and electronic data collection forms. Survey questions included whether the respondent had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, whether they had experienced any AE following vaccination, and the severity of the AE. We used multivariable analysis to identify factors associated with self-reported adverse reactions post-COVID-19 vaccination. Result(s): A total of 11,924 (36.0%) out of 33,150 participants reported receiving at least one dose of either Ad26.COV2.S or AZD1222 between July-December 2021;65.1% were female. An estimated 49.2% of the vaccine recipients reported at least one AE, 90.6% of which were mild, and 2.6% were severe. About 16.9% (n=656) of respondents who received the first dose of AZD1222 had AE, while 50.2% (n=2,823) of those who received the second dose of AZD1222 and nearly all individuals (n=2,385) who received Ad26.COV2.S reported AE. Joint pain (45.5%), fever (26.7%), headache (26.1%), pain at the injection site (24.4%), and fatigue (16.6%) were among the commonly reported AE. Males were less likely to report an AE compared to females [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.81 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75-0.88]. Older age was associated with reduced odds of an AE compared to those aged 18-24 years: 65 years+ (AOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50- 0.77). The likelihood of reporting AE increased with education level: tertiary education AOR 2.63 95% CI 1.96-3.53. Respondents who thought COVID-19 vaccines were not safe were more likely to report post-vaccination adverse reactions than those who thought it was very safe (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.30-1.61). Conclusion(s): Ad26.COV2.S and AZD1222 vaccines are well-tolerated, with primarily mild and few severe AE among adults living in Malawi. Self-report of AE following COVID-19 vaccine receipt is associated with gender, age, education, and concern about the safety of the vaccines. Recognizing these associations is key when designing and implementing COVID-19 vaccination communication messages to increase vaccination coverage.
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Objective To understand the status of COVID-19 vaccination among elderly adults in long-term care facilities and analyze the influencing factors so as to provide scientific basis for improving the policy of COVID-19 vaccination. Methods The socio-demographic characteristics, disease-related data, disability, and COVID-19 vaccination status of 575 elderly adults who resided in long-term care facilities in Shaanxi Province were collected via Sojumpin in January 2022. Factors that affected non-vaccinated elderly adults were analyzed by using the SPSS 25.0 software. Results Of the included 575 participants, 199 (34. 6%) were not vaccinated against COVID-19. Univariate analysis showed that COVID-19 vaccination was associated with age, room type, length of stay, marital status, number of children, chronic diseases (i.e., diabetes, stroke, dementia), disability degree, and long-term medication use. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age of 90 years or above (OR =4. 25), triple room (OR = 6.17), moderate disability (OR = 2. 94), severe disability (OR =6. 67), long-term medication use (OR = 1.81), and stroke (OR =1. 74) were independent risk factors for not injecting COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion The COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate of elderly adults in long-term care facilities needs to be improved, and more attention should be paid to the high-risk groups (e.g., who are older, and have disability, long-term medication use, or stroke).Copyright © 2023 Xi'an Medical University. All rights reserved.