ABSTRACT
Our objective was to know the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and its factors associated. A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Patients seen at the MS unit of the University Clinical Hospital of Zaragoza between 2017 and 2021 were included. Variables were obtained by reviewing the specialized and primary care records. Associations between receiving COVID-19 full primo-vaccination, as well as one booster dose since autumn 2022, and the other variables were analyzed using bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression models. Of the 359 included patients, 90.3% received the COVID-19 full primo-vaccination. Having been born in Spain (aOR = 3.40) and having received the 2020-2021 influenza vaccine (aOR = 6.77) were associated with receiving the COVID-19 full primo-vaccination. Vaccination with a COVID-19 booster dose was detected in 141 patients (39.3%). Sex (man) (aOR = 2.36), age (60 years or over) (aOR = 6.82), type of MS (Primary Progressive/Secondary Progressive) (aOR = 3.94), and having received the 2022-2023 influenza vaccine (aOR = 27.54) were associated with receiving such a booster dose. The COVID-19 booster dose was administered at the same time as the 2022-2023 influenza vaccine in 57.8% (67/116) of the patients vaccinated with both vaccines. The COVID-19 full primo-vaccination coverage is higher than in other countries. However, the decrease in vaccination coverage with the booster dose makes it necessary to develop strategies to improve it that are not limited to administering the flu vaccine together with the COVID-19 booster dose. Such strategies should be in focus, especially for women under 60 years of age.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Evidence exists that individual-level sociodemographic factors contribute to vaccine hesitancy, but it is unknown how community-level factors affect COVID-19 booster dose hesitancy. The current study aims to fill this knowledge gap by comparing data from a nationwide survey on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy with a community-level indicator, i.e., the Distressed Communities Index (DCI). Methods: Attitudes toward vaccinations, vaccine literacy, COVID-19 vaccine confidence index, and trust were measured using a 48-item, psychometrically valid and reliable survey tool. In this study, 2138 survey participants residing in the United States were divided into quintiles of varying community distress levels based on their zip codes using the DCI. Data were analyzed through Chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc analysis with Tukey's test. Results: A significantly higher proportion of participants from the distressed communities had lower trust than their prosperous counterparts (26.6% vs. 37.6%, p < 0.001). On the contrary, participants from the prosperous communities had significantly higher vaccine confidence index scores than those in distressed communities (2.22 ± 1.13 vs. 1.70 ± 1.01, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings affirm the importance of developing community-level interventions to promote trust in COVID-19 vaccinations and increase booster dose uptake. From these results, future studies can examine the efficacy of various community-level interventions.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: While considerable evidence supports the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, a sizable population expresses vaccine hesitancy. As per the World Health Organization, vaccine hesitancy is one of the top 10 hazards to global health. Vaccine hesitancy varies across countries, with India reporting the least vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy was higher toward COVID-19 booster doses than previous shots. Therefore, identifying factors determining COVID-19 vaccine booster hesitance (VBH) is the sine qua non of a successful vaccination campaign. METHODOLOGY: This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 standards. A total of 982 articles were pooled from Scopus, PubMed and Embase, while 42 articles that addressed the factors of COVID-19 VBH were finally included for further analysis. RESULT: We identified factors responsible for VBH and divided them into three major groups: sociodemographic, financial, and psychological. Hence, 17 articles stated age to be a major factor for vaccine hesitancy, with most reports suggesting a negative correlation between age and fear of poor vaccination outcomes. Nine studies found females expressing greater vaccine hesitancy than males. Trust deficit in science (n = 14), concerns about safety and efficacy (n = 12), lower levels of fear regarding infection (n = 11), and worry about side effects (n = 8) were also reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Blacks, Democrats, and pregnant women showed high vaccine hesitancy. Few studies have stated income, obesity, social media, and the population living with vulnerable members as factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. A study in India showed that 44.1% of vaccine hesitancy towards booster doses could be attributed dominantly to low income, rural origin, previously unvaccinated status, or living with vulnerable individuals. However, two other Indian studies reported a lack of availability of vaccination slots, a lack of trust in the government, and concerns regarding safety as factors for vaccine hesitancy toward booster doses. CONCLUSION: Many studies have confirmed the multifactorial nature of VBH, which necessitates multifaceted, individually tailored interventions that address all potentially modifiable factors. This systematic review chiefly recommends strategizing the campaign for booster doses by identifying and evaluating the reasons for vaccine hesitancy, followed by appropriate communication (at both individual and community levels) about the benefits of booster doses and the risk of losing immunity without them.
ABSTRACT
A second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose is effective and safe for older adults. This study investigated hesitancy to take up a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose and its determinants among older adults in Hong Kong. Participants were Chinese-speaking community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or above. Telephone numbers were randomly selected from up-to-date telephone directories. A total of 370 participants completed the telephone survey. Logistic regression models were fitted for data analysis. Among the participants, half (52.4%) were hesitant to receive the second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. After adjustment for significant background characteristics, perceived benefits (AOR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.42, 0.60), cues to action (AOR: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.30, 0.52), and perceived self-efficacy (AOR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.66) of receiving the second booster dose were associated with lower vaccine hesitancy. Perceived barriers (AOR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.12, 1.34) and vaccine fatigue (tired of receiving repeated COVID-19 vaccination) (AOR: 1.90, 95%CI: 1.52, 2.38) were associated with higher vaccine hesitancy. Level of hesitancy to receive the second booster dose was high among older adults in Hong Kong. Health authorities should address vaccine fatigue and modify perceptions related to the second booster dose.
ABSTRACT
After about a year and a half (at the moment these lines are being written) since the start of the massive vaccination campaign in which, thanks to the high coverage achieved in all groups eligible for vaccination, it has been possible to significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, it is important to review the scientific basics that have supported the recommendations implemented to date and those that could be adopted in the near future taking into consideration the epidemiological situation. The objective of this article is, therefore, to address the foundations of some of the technical decisions proposed by the Committee on Programme and Registry of Vaccinations (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group in Spain) and the Technical Working Group on Vaccination against COVID-19. Throughout the eleven updates of the Vaccination Strategy against COVID-19 in Spain, several issues pose intense debate as the vaccination intervals between doses, the convenience of using different types of vaccines, the use of heterologous schemes of vaccination, the benefits of hybrid immunity and the use of a fourth dose (second booster dose) for selected populations. All this without forgetting essential aspects of safety of vaccines. This article is divided into the following sections: Vaccination intervals; Heterologous or mixed scheme; Hybrid immunity (vaccination after infection and infection after vaccination [breakthrough]); Second booster dose.
Una vez transcurrido alrededor de un año y medio (en el momento de escribir estas líneas) desde el inicio de la campaña masiva de vacunación en la que, gracias a las altas coberturas alcanzadas en todos los grupos diana para vacunación, se ha conseguido reducir de manera muy significativa la morbimortalidad por la COVID-19, es importante revisar las bases científicas que han sustentado las recomendaciones implantadas hasta la fecha y aquellas que podrían adoptarse en un futuro próximo según la situación epidemiológica. El objetivo del presente artículo fue, por tanto, abordar los fundamentos de algunas de las decisiones técnicas propuestas desde la Ponencia de Programa y Registro de Vacunaciones y el Grupo de Trabajo Técnico de Vacunación frente a la COVID-19. A lo largo de once actualizaciones de la Estrategia de Vacunación frente a la COVID-19 en España, han sido objeto de intenso debate varias cuestiones relativas a los intervalos de vacunación entre dosis, la conveniencia del uso de diferentes tipos de vacunas, las combinaciones de las mismas, los beneficios de la inmunidad híbrida y el uso de una cuarta dosis (segunda dosis de recuerdo) para poblaciones seleccionadas. Todo ello sin olvidar aspectos esenciales de su seguridad. Este artículo se divide en los siguientes apartados: Intervalos de vacunación; Pauta heteróloga o mixta; Inmunidad híbrida (vacunación tras la infección e infección tras vacunación [breakthrough]); Segunda dosis de recuerdo.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Vaccines , COVID-19/prevention & control , Humans , Immunization Schedule , Spain/epidemiology , VaccinationABSTRACT
Una vez transcurrido alrededor de un año y medio (en el momento de escribir estas líneas) desde el inicio de la campaña masiva de vacunación en la que, gracias a las altas coberturas alcanzadas en todos los grupos diana para vacunación, se ha conseguido reducir de manera muy significativa la morbimortalidad por la COVID-19, es importante revisar las bases científicas que han sustentado las recomendaciones implantadas hasta la fecha y aquellas que podrían adoptarse en un futuro próximo según la situación epidemiológica. El objetivo del presente artículo fue, por tanto, abordar los fundamentos de algunas de las decisiones técnicas propuestas desde la Ponencia de Programa y Registro de Vacunaciones y el Grupo de Trabajo Técnico de Vacunación frente a la COVID-19. A lo largo de once actualizaciones de la Estrategia de Vacunación frente a la COVID-19 en España, han sido objeto de intenso debate varias cuestiones relativas a los intervalos de vacunación entre dosis, la conveniencia del uso de diferentes tipos de vacunas, las combinaciones de las mismas, los beneficios de la inmunidad híbrida y el uso de una cuarta dosis (segunda dosis de recuerdo) para poblaciones seleccionadas. Todo ello sin olvidar aspectos esenciales de su seguridad. Este artículo se divide en los siguientes apartados: Intervalos de vacunación; Pauta heteróloga o mixta; Inmunidad híbrida (vacunación tras la infección e infección tras vacunación [breakthrough]); Segunda dosis de recuerdo.(AU)
After about a year and a half (at the moment these lines are being written) since the start of the massive vaccination campaign in which, thanks to the high coverage achieved in all groups eligible for vaccination, it has been possible to significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, it is important to review the scientific basics that have supported the recommendations implemented to date and those that could be adopted in the near future taking into consideration the epidemiological situation. The objective of this article is, therefore, to address the foundations of some of the technical decisions proposed by the Committee on Programme and Registry of Vaccinations (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group in Spain) and the Technical Working Group on Vaccination against COVID-19. Throughout the eleven updates of the Vaccination Strategy against COVID-19 in Spain, several issues pose intense debate as the vaccination intervals between doses, the convenience of using different types of vaccines, the use of heterologous schemes of vaccination, the benefits of hybrid immunity and the use of a fourth dose (second booster dose) for selected populations. All this without forgetting essential aspects of safety of vaccines. This article is divided into the following sections: Vaccination intervals; Heterologous or mixed scheme; Hybrid immunity (vaccination after infection and infection after vaccination[breakthrough]); Second booster dose.(AU)
