Disproportionate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among healthcare professionals on the eve of nationwide vaccine distribution in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine by the target groups would play a crucial role in stemming the pandemic. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are the priority group for vaccination due to them having the highest risk of exposure to infection. This survey aimed to assess their acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in Bangladesh. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire was conducted between January 3 to 25, 2021, among HCPs (n = 834) in Bangladesh. RESULTS: Less than 50% of HCPs would receive the vaccine against COVID-19 if available and 54% were willing to take the vaccine at some stage in the future. Female participants (OR:1.64;95%CI:1.172-2.297), respondents between 18-34 years old (OR:2.42; 95% CI:1.314-4.463), HCPs in the public sector (OR:2.09; 95% CI:1.521-2.878), and those who did not receive a flu vaccine in the previous year (OR:3.1; 95% CI:1.552-6.001) were more likely to delay vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that, if available, less than half of the HCPs would accept a COVID-19 vaccine in Bangladesh. To ensure the broader success of the vaccination drive, tailored strategies and vaccine promotion campaigns targeting HCPs and the general population are needed.

Lithium hydride as an efficient reagent for the preparation of 1,2-anhydro inositols: Does the reaction proceed through 'axial rich' conformation?

scyllo-Inositol derived 1,2-trans-diequatorial halohydrins can be efficiently converted to the corresponding epoxides in the presence of lithium hydride. The structure of one of the epoxides was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. This provides a potential route for the preparation of ring modified inositol derivatives. DFT calculations suggest that this epoxide formation could be proceeding through the intermediacy of the cyclohexane ring-inverted axial-rich conformer (1,2-trans-diaxial halohydrin). This is supported by the results of DFT calculations on the formation of inositol orthoformate, where the product is locked in the axial-rich conformation, while the starting inositol has the equatorial-rich conformation.