ANALYSIS OF THE INCIDENCE OF COVID-19 IN ORGANIZED MILITARY COLLECTIVES OF VARIOUS TYPES

Against the background of the global spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the prevention of infections with airborne mechanisms of transmission has become a priority in the Armed Forces. The development of effective COVID-19 prevention measures requires consideration of the peculiarities of military service and everyday life due to the inability of organized military collectives to comply with the requirements of the lockdown regime introduced at the peak of morbidity by the civilian health system. The patterns of incidence of COVID-19 in military personnel of the Western Military District in organized military collectives were studied in relation to the conditions of training and combat activities and the characteristics of military service. It was found that the dynamics of the incidence of COVID-19 among military personnel of the Western Military District in 2020–2021 exhibited a wave-like character and included four epidemic rises that coincided with epidemic waves among the civilian population. At the same time, from April to December 2020, the morbidity rate in military personnel was significantly higher than that in the general population, and from January to December 2021 against the background of mass vaccination of military personnel against COVID-19, the incidence rate in military personnel decreased by 50% relative to that in the general population. The effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures has increased significantly in recent months. The average number of patients in the epidemic outbreak decreased by 46.3%, the average duration of the outbreak decreased by 12.4%, and the proportion of group morbidity in the structure of the overall incidence of COVID-19 decreased by 19.8%. It is shown that the incidence of COVID-19 in various types of military collectives depends on the conditions of military service and the specifics of daily activities. The highest epidemiological significance of COVID-19 was detected in military units of constant readiness, as well as in medical and military educational organizations. © 2023 Nutritec. All rights reserved.

ASSESSMENT OF POST-VACCINATION COLLECTIVE IMMUNITY AGAINST NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTION (COVID-19) AMONG SERVICEMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The recent vaccination campaign targeting the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) carried out in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, on the background of the current unstable global pandemic situation, makes it necessary to study post-vaccination population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and thus identify key features of immunity in organized military collectives. In the future, this will make it possible to objectively assess the risks of a worsening pandemic situation, effectively adjust the ongoing sanitary and anti-epidemic measures aimed at preserving and strengthening the health of military personnel, as one of the main conditions for maintaining the combat readiness of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. During a study conducted on epidemic indications, it was found that vaccination with Gam-Covid-Vac contributes to the formation of collective immunity with 95% effectiveness. A gender-based analysis of the immune response showed that the proportion of persons who lack class G immunoglobulins to SARS-CoV-2 among females is twice than that among men (9.3% and 4.7%, respectively). Seroprevalence indicators, classified by blood group, range from 94.4% (AB (IV) Rh–) to 97.4% (A (II) Rh–). There were no significant differences in seroprevalence between groups of people with different blood groups;however, the highest value of seroprevalence was seen among military personnel with blood group A (II) Rh–. In this context, it is advisable to continue monitoring the formation of immunity in individuals with various blood groups. The results obtained made it possible to form a primary medical and social "portrait” of a serviceman with the most adequate immune response to the introduction of the Gam-Covid-Vac vaccine (a man under the age of 20 with blood type A (II) Rh–) and to draw a conclusion about the high effectiveness of vaccination in military units (formations) staffed by conscripts and military educational organizations. The article can be used under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license © Authors, 2022.

Features of sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures among the personnel of camp training events in military educational organizations in the context of the spread of the new COVID-19 coronavirus infection

The experience of medical maintenance for assembly events annually held on the basis of the educational process of the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov. The main directions of the organization of sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures among the personnel at each stage of the camp gathering have been determined. It is shown that at the preparatory stage it is advisable to develop additional plans that concretize sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures for the stages of the camp gathering. At the stage of accepting participants, the main direction is the organization of events that prevent the introduction of infection with the arriving personnel. At the main stage of the camp training, the leading role belongs to disinfection measures. At the stage of departure of participants, the main efforts should be focused on minimizing the potential risk of infection along the route and the introduction of infection into their military units. The features of disinfection are described depending on the type of object being processed. The results of testing a designed device for fixing dispensers with a skin antiseptic on the basis of a unified military stand in a camp gathering are presented. The features of the organization of medical control over the material and household provision of the personnel of the training camp are stated. The basic principles of prophylaxis and anti-epidemic protection during assembly activities in the context of the spread of COVID-19 have been formulated. © 2019 Eco-Vector LLC. All rights reserved.

Ssessment of post-vaccination collective immunity against new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) among servicemen of the armed forces of the Russian Federation

The recent vaccination campaign targeting the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) carried out in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, on the background of the current unstable global pandemic situation, makes it necessary to study post-vaccination population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and thus identify key features of immunity in organized military collectives. In the future, this will make it possible to objectively assess the risks of a worsening pandemic situation, effectively adjust the ongoing sanitary and anti-epidemic measures aimed at preserving and strengthening the health of military personnel, as one of the main conditions for maintaining the combat readiness of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. During a study conducted on epidemic indications, it was found that vaccination with Gam-Covid-Vac contributes to the formation of collective immunity with 95% effectiveness. A gender-based analysis of the immune response showed that the proportion of persons who lack class G immunoglobulins to SARS-CoV-2 among females is twice than that among men (9.3% and 4.7%, respectively). Seroprevalence indicators, classified by blood group, range from 94.4% (AB (IV) Rh-) to 97.4% (A (II) Rh-). There were no significant differences in seroprevalence between groups of people with different blood groups;however, the highest value of seroprevalence was seen among military personnel with blood group A (II) Rh-. In this context, it is advisable to continue monitoring the formation of immunity in individuals with various blood groups. The results obtained made it possible to form a primary medical and social "portrait" of a serviceman with the most adequate immune response to the introduction of the Gam-Covid-Vac vaccine (a man under the age of 20 with blood type A (II) Rh-) and to draw a conclusion about the high effectiveness of vaccination in military units (formations) staffed by conscripts and military educational organizations.

Analysis of the incidence of COVID-19 in organized military collectives of various types

Against the background of the global spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the prevention of infections with airborne mechanisms of transmission has become a priority in the Armed Forces. The development of effective COVID-19 prevention measures requires consideration of the peculiarities of military service and everyday life due to the inability of organized military collectives to comply with the requirements of the lockdown regime introduced at the peak of morbidity by the civilian health system. The patterns of incidence of COVID-19 in military personnel of the Western Military District in organized military collectives were studied in relation to the conditions of training and combat activities and the characteristics of military service. It was found that the dynamics of the incidence of COVID-19 among military personnel of the Western Military District in 2020-2021 exhibited a wave-like character and included four epidemic rises that coincided with epidemic waves among the civilian population. At the same time, from April to December 2020, the morbidity rate in military personnel was significantly higher than that in the general population, and from January to December 2021 against the background of mass vaccination of military personnel against COVID-19, the incidence rate in military personnel decreased by 50% relative to that in the general population. The effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures has increased significantly in recent months. The average number of patients in the epidemic outbreak decreased by 46.3%, the average duration of the outbreak decreased by 12.4%, and the proportion of group morbidity in the structure of the overall incidence of COVID-19 decreased by 19.8%. It is shown that the incidence of COVID-19 in various types of military collectives depends on the conditions of military service and the specifics of daily activities. The highest epidemiological significance of COVID-19 was detected in military units of constant readiness, as well as in medical and military educational organizations.

HERD IMMUNITY TO SARS-CoV-2 AMONG ADOLESCENT STUDENTS OF THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY COLLEGES OF THE CITY OF SAINT PETERSBURG

The morbidity of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Russian Armed Forces is decreasing thanks to the sanitary and preventive anti-epidemic measures, the most effective of which is mass vaccination. The purpose of this research was to study the peculiarities of the formation of herd immunity among adolescent students of the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) colleges against the background of the COVID-19 epidemic. Materials and methods of the research: according to the epidemic indications, a two-stage seroepidemiological multicenter prospective study of herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 was carried out in Dec. 2021 - May 2022, against the background of vaccination, among adolescent students of the Russian Defense Ministry colleges. 515 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years old (median age 13 [12;15] years old) from the two Russian MoD schools located in the city of Saint Petersburg, of which 292 (57%) girls and 223 (43%) boys, were involved in the study. The adolescents were divided into groups based on gender and previous COVID-19 illness e.g., those who already had COVID-19 and those who had not prior to the study. In the second stage of the study the number of samples from boys and girls decreased by 74.3% and 34.4%, respectively, due to the lack of parents' consent to the vaccination. The assessment of the immunity intensity was carried out using the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels in blood serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result(s): the initially high levels of seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 were established among both girls and boys (90.4% and 91.5%, respectively, p=0.09) that indicated a latent course of the epidemic process in the studied groups of teenagers. In adolescent girls and boys vaccinated against the background of a previous COVID-19 illness, the combined immunity is formed in 62.3% and 68.1%, respectively (p=0.11). Conclusion(s): the epidemic process of COVID-19 tends to be latent in organized adolescent groups, being realized in inapparent forms of the infection. Those adolescents who've been vaccinated after COVID-19 illness develop the immunity with positive seroconversion dynamics. Copyright © 2022, Pediatria Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of vaccine "sputnik v" immunogenicity and reactogenicity when it is used in military personnel

The article presents the results of a study of the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of the vaccine Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) when used in military personnel undergoing military service on conscription. From 300 military personnel consistently vaccinated with one and two components of Gam-COVID-Vac at the intervals of 21 days, blood serum was obtained and examined three times: before vaccination, and 30 and 60 days after the introduction of the first component of the vaccine. In the blood serums, the content of Class G antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 was determined by the method of solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. After immunization with the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine, the average geometric titer of Class G antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 -in the blood serum of a military personnel obtained during the second and third examinations (5.02 log2 and 5.67 log2) increased by 2.4 and 2.7 times, respectively (p < 0.05), compared to the same indicator before the vaccination (2.11 log2). Total of 30 days after the introduction of the first component of the vaccine (Nine days after the introduction of the second component of the vaccine), Class G antibodies to the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 were detected in the 86.7% of military personnel, and after 60 days - in 92% of vaccinated. Studies have revealed moderate reactogenicity of the vaccine. Moreover, the proportion of postvaccination reactions in the first 3-5 days after the introduction of the second component of the vaccine was less after the introduction of the first component of the vaccine. So, if after the introduction of the first component of the vaccine, an increase in body temperature > 37 degrees C was observed in 20% of military personnel, then after the introduction of the second component only in 9%, and the share of local reactions decreased from 9-4%. There have been no cases of serious adverse events after immunization of military personnel with the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine.

Evaluation of the Preventive Efficacy and Safety of Azoximer Bromide in Healthcare Workers in Contact with Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19

Relevance. Despite the implementation of measures to reduce morbidity and mortality among medical workers who are in contact with patients hospitalized for a new coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 (hereinafter – COVID-19), their level remains high today. Given the difficulty of achieving the required number of vaccinated to form collective immunity, the issue of finding additional drug-based ways to prevent COVID-19, especially in risk groups, becomes urgent. Aims. To evaluate the effect of azoximer bromide on the number of cases of confirmed COVID-19 disease among medical workers, as well as on the level of chronic fatigue in the study groups. Materials and methods: 78 men and women were included in the study. The experimental group consisted of 41 people who took azoximer bromide for 38 days. The comparison group consisted of 37 people who were not prescribed azoximer bromide. The epidemiological efficacy of the drug was evaluated. Statistical evaluation of the significance of the differences was carried out using the Student's t-test, Pearson's criterion χ2. Results. The number of study participants with COVID-19 in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the comparison group. A significantly faster reduction of manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome was noted in study participants who took azoximer bromide. There were no adverse events during the administration of the studied drug by the study participants. Conclusions. Azoximer bromide has shown epidemiological efficacy when used by medical workers directly providing medical care to patients with COVID-19 (when working in the «red zone»), including contributing to the more rapid normalization of the psychological state of medical workers. © Kasyanenko KV, et al.

Comparative Cohort Epidemiological Study of Collective Immunity against New Coronavirus Infection among Different Groups of Military Personnel

Background. The need to study the population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is due to the intensive spread of COVID-19 and the implementation of immunoprophylaxis of this infection. The identification of the features of the formation of immunoresistance in organized military collectives will allow us to predict the development of the epidemic situation, including among comparable population groups. Aims ' the study of population immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic against the background of specific immunoprophylaxis in organized military collectives. Methods. According to epidemiological indications, an epidemiological study of collective immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus was conducted against the background of vaccination among cadets of military educational organizations. The study involved 497 people, divided into groups by epidemiological and vaccination history for COVID-19, blood groups and Rh factor. The assessment of the immunity intensity was carried out by the levels of class G immunoglobulins (IgG) to SARS-CoV-2 in the blood serum by the method of solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. Results. Seroprevalence in the total sample was 92.6%. The highest rates were observed among vaccinated patients: those who were not ill and vaccinated ' 99.0 ± 0.7%, those who were ill and vaccinated-100% (mean geometric antibody titers ' 1:2234 and 1:4399). Among the ill, unvaccinated individuals, the seroprevalence index was 84.5 ± 3.2% (1:220). Among those who were not ill, not vaccinated ' 8.2 ± 3.1% (1:113), which may indicate a hidden course of the epidemic process in the team. A negative immune response was more common (tSt = 2.01;p < 0.05) in individuals A(II)Rh+ blood group. The highest proportion of maximum antibody titers (1:3200-1:6400) was determined in AB(IV) individuals. Rh-blood groups (tSt=2.21;p < 0.05). Conclusions. For the first time, the formation of combined immunity with the highest concentrations of specific antibodies was revealed in patients who have been ill and vaccinated has been revealed, which allows us to recommend vaccination to those who have suffered from COVID-19. The emergence of post-infectious immunity in organized groups with a latent epidemic process has been established. The relationship between the intensity of immunity with blood groups and the Rh factor was found. © 2021 Izdatel'stvo Meditsina. All rights reserved.

View of military epidemiologists on the problem of global spread of a new coronavirus infection

Relevance. Despite the successes achieved in the fight against COVID-19 and the beginning of mass vaccination, the epidemiological situation remains quite tense, especially in foreign countries. Therefore, there is still a need to maintain the imposed restrictive and anti-epidemic measures, which may increase depending on changes in the epidemiological situation. As the experience of working in the context of a pandemic shows, it is advisable to use the principles of military epidemiology in the practical activities of various specialists in the national health system. They are based on a grouping of medical and non-medical measures aimed at preventing infection drifts, its spread in groups of people and in specific territories, and its removal outside of epidemic foci. Specific immunization of the population against the new coronavirus infection is important, which will ensure the stabilization and smooth out the course of the epidemic process. Aims. To analyze the current state of the global spread of the new coronavirus infection and to consider the possibility of applying the principles of military epidemiology in the fight against the new coronavirus infection. Conclusions. Based on the results of the analysis of literature sources and personal practical experience in the fight against COVID-19, the most effective measures of anti-epidemic protection of the population to date are summarized. Approaches to the organization of sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures based on the principles of military epidemiology are proposed: the separation of medical care for infectious patients and their sorting according to the severity of the disease;the maximum approach to the served contingents of anti-epidemic forces and means, taking into account the current sanitary and epidemiological situation;continuous implementation of sanitary and anti-epidemic measures until the elimination of epidemic foci;ensuring the mobility and constant readiness of the forces and means involved in carrying out sanitary and anti-epidemic measures. © 2021, Numikom. All rights reserved.

Features of sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures among the personnel of camp training events in military educational organizations in the context of the spread of the new COVID-19 coronavirus infection

The experience of medical maintenance for assembly events annually held on the basis of the educational process of the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov. The main directions of the organization of sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures among the personnel at each stage of the camp gathering have been determined. It is shown that at the preparatory stage it is advisable to develop additional plans that concretize sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures for the stages of the camp gathering. At the stage of accepting participants, the main direction is the organization of events that prevent the introduction of infection with the arriving personnel. At the main stage of the camp training, the leading role belongs to disinfection measures. At the stage of departure of participants, the main efforts should be focused on minimizing the potential risk of infection along the route and the introduction of infection into their military units. The features of disinfection are described depending on the type of object being processed. The results of testing a designed device for fixing dispensers with a skin antiseptic on the basis of a unified military stand in a camp gathering are presented. The features of the organization of medical control over the material and household provision of the personnel of the training camp are stated. The basic principles of prophylaxis and anti-epidemic protection during assembly activities in the context of the spread of COVID-19 have been formulated.

Features of the Use of Personal Protective Equipment in the Foci of a New Coronavirus Infection

Relevance. In the context of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, the range of use of personal protective equipment (hereinafter referred to as PPE) is becoming increasingly broad, from emergency and emergency medical teams that go to patients with suspected COVlD-19, to specialized covid hospitals. Aim. Identification of features in the operation of PPE in a strict anti-epidemic regime and development of recommendations on the use of PPE to improve the efficiency of medical professionals. Materials and methods. In the period from April to May 2020 in the field hospital of the Association of Alpine shooters at the exhibition centre, FIERA Dl BERGAMO Italian Republic (hereinafter - the hospital), 8 medical and nursing teams, each of them included the doctors -epidemiologist, anesthesiologist-resuscitation, general practitioner, and nurse anesthetist (total number 32 professionals) conducted relevant sanitary-antiepidemic (preventive) and treatment-and-prophylactic interventions among patients with clinical manifestations of COVlD-19. Conclusion. As a result of using a whole range of disposable PPE of various modifications, the features and disadvantages of their operation in the field were established. The main recommendations for using PPE when working with patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 are formulated. Актуальность. В условиях пандемии новой коронавирусной инфекции SARS-CoV-2 спектр использования средств индивидуальной защиты (далее - СИЗ) становится все более широким, от бригад скорой и неотложной медицинской помощи, выезжающих к Больным с подозрением на C0VID-19, до специализированных ковидных стационаров. Цель исследования: оценить средства индивидуальной защиты, что использовались при оказании помощи пациентам с клиническими проявлениями C0VID-19, и дать рекомендации по их совершенствованию. Материалы и методы. В период с апреля по май 2020 г. в полевом госпитале Ассоциации альпийских стрелков на базе выставочного центра FIERA Dl BERGAMO Итальянской Республики (далее - госпиталь) силами 8 врачебно-сестринских бригад, каждая из которых включала врача-эпидемиолога, врача-анестезиолога-реанимато-лога, врача-терапевта и медицинскую сестру анестезиологического профиля (всего 32 специалиста), проводились санитарно-противоэпидемические (профилактические) и лечебно-профилактические мероприятия среди пациентов с клиническими проявлениями C0VID-19. Заключение. В результате использования целого спектра одноразовых СИЗ различных модификаций Были установлены особенности и недостатки в процессе их эксплуатации в полевых условиях. Сформулированы основные рекомендации по использованию СИЗ при работе с Больными, инфицированными SARS-CoV-2.