scholarly journals Prevention of COVID-19 by mRNA-based vaccines within the general population of California

Author(s):  
Kristin L Andrejko ◽  
Jake Pry ◽  
Jennifer F Myers ◽  
Nicholas P Jewell ◽  
John Openshaw ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Estimates of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness under real-world conditions, and understanding of barriers to uptake, are necessary to inform vaccine rollout. Methods We enrolled cases (testing positive) and controls (testing negative) from among the population whose SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostic test results from 24 February-29 April 2021 were reported to the California Department of Public Health. Participants were matched on age, sex, and geographic region. We assessed participants’ self-reported history of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine receipt (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273). Participants were considered fully vaccinated two weeks after second dose receipt. Among unvaccinated participants, we assessed willingness to receive vaccination. We measured vaccine effectiveness (VE) via the matched odds ratio of prior vaccination, comparing cases with controls. Results We enrolled 1023 eligible participants aged ≥18 years. Among 525 cases, 71 (13.5%) received BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273; 20 (3.8%) were fully vaccinated with either product. Among 498 controls, 185 (37.1%) received BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273; 86 (16.3%) were fully vaccinated with either product. Two weeks after second dose receipt, VE was 87.0% (95% confidence interval: 68.6-94.6%) and 86.2% (68.4-93.9%) for BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, respectively. Fully vaccinated participants receiving either product experienced 91.3% (79.3-96.3%) and 68.3% (27.9-85.7%) VE against symptomatic and asymptomatic infection, respectively. Among unvaccinated participants, 42.4% (159/375) residing in rural regions and 23.8% (67/281) residing in urban regions reported hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusions Authorized mRNA-based vaccines are effective at reducing documented SARS-CoV-2 infections within the general population of California. Vaccine hesitancy presents a barrier to reaching coverage levels needed for herd immunity.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Andrejko ◽  
Jake M Pry ◽  
Jennifer F Myers ◽  
Nicholas P Jewell ◽  
John Openshaw ◽  
...  

Importance: Evidence is needed to determine COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness under real world conditions of use. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of authorized vaccines against COVID-19 in the context of substantial circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, and identify vaccine uptake barriers. Design: We recruited cases (testing positive) and controls (testing negative) based on SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostic test results from 24 February-7 April 2021. Controls were individually matched to cases by age, sex, and geographic region. We identified cases and controls via random sampling within predetermined demographic strata. We conducted enrollment and administered study questionnaires via telephone-based facilitated interviews. Setting: Population-based surveillance of all SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostic testing reported to the California Department of Public Health. During the study period, 69% of sequenced SARS-CoV-2 isolates in California belonged to variants of concern B.1.1.7, B.1.427, or B.1.429. Participants: We enrolled 645 adults aged ≥18y, including 325 cases and 320 controls Exposures: We assessed participants' self-reported history of COVID-19 vaccine receipt (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273). Individuals were considered fully vaccinated two weeks after second dose receipt. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary endpoint was a positive SARS-CoV-2 molecular test result. For unvaccinated participants, we assessed willingness to receive vaccination, when eligible. We measured vaccine effectiveness via the matched odds ratio of prior vaccination, comparing cases with controls. Results: Among 325 cases, 23 (7%) and 13 (4%) received BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, respectively; 8 (2%) were fully vaccinated with either product. Among 260 controls, 49 (19%) and 49 (19%) received BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, respectively; 42 (16%) were fully vaccinated with either product. Among fully vaccinated individuals, vaccine effectiveness was 86% (95% confidence interval: 67-94%). Vaccine effectiveness was 66% (-69% to 93%) and 78% (23% to 94%) one week following a first and second dose, respectively. Among unvaccinated participants, 39% of those residing in rural regions and 23% of those residing in urban regions reported hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible. In contrast, vaccine hesitancy did not significantly differ by age, sex, household income, or race/ethnicity. Conclusions and Relevance: Ongoing vaccination efforts are preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population in California. Vaccine hesitancy presents a barrier to reaching coverage levels needed for herd immunity.


Author(s):  
Farah Yasmin ◽  
Waleed Asghar ◽  
Maryam Salma Babar ◽  
Hiba Khan ◽  
Shoaib Ahmad ◽  
...  

Developing countries like Pakistan have previously suffered from barriers to acceptance of vaccination by the public because of financial and belief barriers. This study aims to explore these beliefs and highlight concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy in the general population of Pakistan since they are a hindrance to an effective coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) immunization in the country. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 1,778 participants from all four provinces of Pakistan. Results from the study showed more than half of the participants to be unsure of the safety (50%) and efficacy (51%) of the vaccine, whereas 42% were concerned about the side effects of the vaccine. About 72% of the respondents planned to get vaccinated, whereas 28% refused to do so. Internationally made imported vaccines were more trusted by the participants. Forty-four percent of the participants agreed to receive the vaccine upon recommendation from a physician. Lastly, participants who believed in the efficacy of the polio vaccination also considered the COVID-19 vaccine to be safe and effective.


Author(s):  
Pendhamma Sindhusen ◽  

In the age of COVID-19 where a lethal contagion is ubiquitous across the globe, vaccination is of supreme significance. Vaccines provide immunity to individuals, rendering them less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection or their symptoms less severe should they ultimately become infected. Vaccinating an adequate proportion of the population can majorly contribute to the achievement of herd immunity, consequently depressing the spread of the Coronavirus and ushering humanity towards eventual subjugation of the ongoing pandemic. Unfortunately, there are obstacles preventing such a roseate prospect from realization, one of which is vaccine hesitancy. Interestingly, past research in various regions around the world has associated this factor, partially, with the public’s knowledge and attitude concerning COVID-19, which could be measured by the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) towards COVID-19 scale. Such an association plausibly intimates that a public campaign shedding light on accurate information about the contagion might be of help in augmenting people’s willingness to receive vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Because circumstances inevitably varied from place to place, population to population, this study was undertaken to explore whether any similar association existed in Bangkok, Thailand, where the pandemic has been growing progressively worse, with the initial hypothesis that it did. However, results revealed that while there was indeed a statistically significant correlation between Bangkokians’ willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines and their KAP towards the contagion, the correlation was weak (r = 0.30). This evinces the need for a more thorough and farther-reaching study and, until such a study has been meaningfully concluded, the appropriacy of apposite agencies concentrating elsewhere in their efforts to vanquish vaccine hesitancy and accomplish herd immunity against COVID-19.


Author(s):  
Azharuddin Sajid Syed Khaja ◽  
Mubashir Zafar ◽  
Meshari Al-Shammari ◽  
Khaled Al-Shammary ◽  
Abdulaziz Al-Rabie ◽  
...  

Aim: Coronavirus infection has caused disease at the pandemic level with several deaths worldwide and affected all aspects of human life. One way to minimize virus transmission and its effects is to perform mass vaccination within the general population so that herd immunity is developed against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, low health literacy and vaccine hesitancy are potential threats in achieving this. The present study is designed to measure the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception levels towards COVID-19 and assess public perception and acceptance levels of the vaccine among the general population in the Hail province of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A bilingual, community-based questionnaire, consisting of the respondents’ socio-demographic profile, COVID-19 knowledge, and attitude & perception towards COVID-19 vaccination, was circulated using different social media platforms. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Appropriate knowledge level was found in 74.8% of the respondents, whereas inappropriate knowledge levels were observed in females and participants with non-health-related occupations and were inversely related to willingness to the vaccine. More than 60% of the respondents had a negative attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine, as only 51% were willing to get vaccinated. A negative attitude was significantly associated with female respondents. Conclusion: Our study reports a high knowledge level among the respondents in the Hail province. However, there is also a decreased willingness to be vaccinated, suggesting that more vaccine and health literacy seminars should be conducted to generate awareness among the general population in the Hail province, KSA.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno III ◽  
Ahmad Neyazi ◽  
Attaullah Ahmadi ◽  
Omid Tabesh ◽  
Habibah Afzali ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is one of the major concerns in the roll out of vaccines in many countries. The aim of the study was to assess the level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among the population in Herat, Afghanistan, the third largest city in the country.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 April 2021 and 20 April 2021 among the general population of Herat City to examine the acceptability rate of COVID-19 vaccine. Sample size was calculated at 555. Different variables were collected using a questionnaire developed. Data were evaluated in IBM SPSS program.Results: Only 10.63% of the participants were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine without having any concern and reservation. 45% were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 66.5% were concerned about the vaccine and its side effects and 29% were afraid of being infected by transmission of COVID-19 through the administration of vaccine on them.Conclusion: This research demonstrates that, concerns about the vaccine, myths and misinformation are widespread which will undermine the vaccination process. This study recommends the initiation of more health-related campaigns and awareness programs by the government for general population to enhance and expedite the roll out of COVID-19 vaccine.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Verelst ◽  
Roselinde Kessels ◽  
Lander Willem ◽  
Philippe Beutels

AbstractBackgroundIncreased vaccine hesitancy and refusal negatively affects vaccine uptake leading to vaccine preventable disease reemergence. We aimed to quantify the relative importance of characteristics people consider when making vaccine decisions for themselves, or for their child, with specific attention for underlying motives arising from context, such as required effort (accessibility) and opportunism (free riding on herd immunity).MethodsWe documented attitudes towards vaccination and performed a discrete choice experiment in 4802 respondents in The United Kingdom, France and Belgium eliciting preferences for six attributes: (1) vaccine effectiveness, (2) vaccine preventable disease burden, (3) vaccine accessibility in terms of co-payment, vaccinator and administrative requirements, (4) frequency of mild vaccine-related side-effects, (5) vaccination coverage in the country’s population and (6) local vaccination coverage in personal networks. We distinguished adults deciding on vaccination for themselves (‘oneself’ group) from parents deciding for their youngest child (‘child’ group).ResultsWhile all six attributes were found to be significant, vaccine effectiveness and accessibility stand out in all (sub)samples, followed by vaccine preventable disease burden. We confirmed that people attach more value to severity of disease compared to its frequency and discovered that peer influence dominates free-rider motives, especially for the vaccination of children.ConclusionsThese behavioral data are insightful for policy and are essential to parameterize dynamic vaccination behavior in simulation models. In contrast to what most game theoretical models assume, social norms dominate free-rider incentives. Therefore policy-makers and healthcare workers should actively communicate on high vaccination coverage, and draw attention to the effectiveness of vaccines, while optimizing their practical accessibility.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 999-1004
Author(s):  
Steward Mudenda

Background: Increased acceptance and uptake of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines is very essential in containing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy is a threat to public health containment of infectious diseases. Aim: The main aim of this study was to review published articles regarding COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and hesitancy across all populations in Africa. Materials and methods: This was a narrative review. A comprehensive literature search was done using PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and EMBASE using the keywords vaccine acceptability, vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 pandemic, H1N1 vaccine, swine flu, swine flu vaccine, Africa, and the Boolean word AND. The cited literature was published between March 2001 and June 2021. Results: The few studies were done in Africa so far are among healthcare workers and medical students. Acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19 in Africa ranged from 15.4% to 55.9%. This shows increased hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccines in African countries. Many people were concerned about the potential adverse effects and ineffectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines has contributed to the hesitancy reported from different studies. Moreover, sociodemographic characteristics were also predictors of the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusion: Low acceptability rates reported in Africa indicates increased hesitancy to vaccination against COVID-19. The low acceptance of vaccines in Africa can hinder the required 60-70% vaccinations to achieve herd immunity. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies that will address hesitancy against the COVID-19 vaccines across countries and populations in Africa and the entire globe.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260380
Author(s):  
Suryaa Gupta ◽  
Shoko Watanabe ◽  
Sean M. Laurent

Objective Availability of safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 is critical for controlling the pandemic, but herd immunity can only be achieved with high vaccination coverage. The present research examined psychological factors associated with intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccination and whether reluctance towards novel pandemic vaccines are similar to vaccine hesitancy captured by a hypothetical measure used in previous research. Method Study 1 was administered to undergraduate students when COVID-19 was spreading exponentially (February-April 2020). Study 2 was conducted with online panel workers toward the end of the first U.S. wave (July 2020) as a pre-registered replication and extension of Study 1. In both studies, participants (total N = 1,022) rated their willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and to vaccinate a hypothetical child for a fictitious disease, and then responded to various psychological measures. Results In both studies, vaccination intentions were positively associated with past flu vaccine uptake, self-reported vaccine knowledge, vaccine confidence, and sense of collective responsibility. Complacency (not perceiving disease as high-risk), anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs, perceived vaccine danger, and mistrust in science/scientists were negative correlates of vaccination intentions. Constraints (psychological barriers), calculation (extensive information-searching), analytical thinking, perceived disease vulnerability, self-other overlap, and conservatism were weakly associated with vaccination intentions but not consistently across both studies or vaccine types. Additionally, similar factors were associated with both real and hypothetical vaccination intentions, suggesting that conclusions from pre-COVID vaccine hesitancy research mostly generalize to the current pandemic situation. Conclusion Encouraging flu vaccine uptake, enhancing confidence in a novel vaccine, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility are particularly important as they uniquely predict COVID-19 vaccination intentions. By including both actual pandemic-related hesitancy measures and hypothetical hesitancy measures from past research in the same study, this work provides key context for the generalizability of earlier non-pandemic research.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3034-3034
Author(s):  
Hayley Merkeley ◽  
Marlee McGuire ◽  
Lillian Ding ◽  
Heather McCartney ◽  
Ali Amid ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Persons with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) infected with the SARS CoV-2 virus have significantly increased risks of hospitalization and death and are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy has previously been described in the SCD population and uptake of other recommended vaccines has been reported to be low in some studies. The goal of this study was to assess how vaccination rates amongst eligible pediatric and adult SCD patients in British Columbia (BC), Canada, compared to those of the general population and other "clinically extremely vulnerable" (CEV) groups. Methods: Persons age 12 and over with SCD in BC were identified as a CEV population and prioritized for immunization. A comprehensive process was undertaken to find and identify all CEV patients in BC and notify them of their priority status. Individuals diagnosed with SCD in the province were identified in the shared pediatric and adult patient registry (iCHIP), which tracks demographics, diagnoses and therapies, and added to the CEV patient list. SCD patients were notified of their priority status through standard mail from the provincial health officer, as well as emails and phone calls from the pediatric and adult SCD programs. Those aged 16+ were invited to register for immunization beginning in March 2021 while those 12-15 years were permitted to register starting in May 2021. Adult patients were eligible to receive mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna as well as the Astra-Zeneca (AZ) COVISHIELD vaccine, while those aged 12-17 were eligible only for Pfizer vaccines. The provincial immunization registry (PIR) was interrogated to confirm vaccine administration. The main outcome measure was the proportion of SCD patients who received 1st and 2nd dose COVID vaccines. Results: 138 individuals age 12+ with SCD were identified in the iCHIP database. 71.0% had Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA), 25.4% had Hemoglobin SC (Hb SC) and 3.6% had other genotypes. Participants ranged in age from 12-69 years with a median of 28 years. 67.4% were receiving disease-modifying therapy (76 were on hydroxyurea, 11 on regular red cell exchange, 1 was receiving crizanlizumab, and 5 with Hb SC were phlebotomized). None were treated with gene therapy or transplant. 7 individuals had a PCR-confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection prior, but none following immunization. As of July 30, 2021: 68.8% of persons with SCD received a 1st and 55.1% received a 2nd dose of COVID vaccine. Almost all doses were mRNA-based vaccines with the exception of a single 1st dose administration of AZ. Vaccination rates amongst different age ranges and genotypes are displayed in Table 1. Patients with SCA did not have significantly different vaccination rates compared to those with Hb SC/other genotypes: 64.3% versus 80.0% for 1st dose (p=0.0703) and 48.0% versus 62.5% (p =0.12114) for 2nd dose. Vaccination rates amongst the SCD group were compared to other age matched CEV populations as well as the general provincial population and are detailed in Tables 2 and 3. A higher proportion of persons with SCD under the age of 20 received 1st dose (70.8% versus 31.1%; p<0.00001) and 2nd dose (50.0 versus 15.3%; p <0.00001) of vaccines compared to the general population. However, a lower proportion age 20-49 and 50+ years old received a 1st dose as demonstrated in Table 2. In addition, lower proportions of persons with SCD of all age ranges were vaccinated in comparison to other CEV groups. As demonstrated in Table 3, SCD was not associated with receiving a 1st dose vaccine compared to the general BC population (OR 0.8, 0.56 to 1.16 95% CI, p=0.2481). In contrast, persons in other CEV groups were twice as likely to receive a first dose COVID immunization compared to the general BC population (p<0.0001). No severe vaccine-related complications including vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) were reported. There were 7 presentations to hospital for vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) within 21 days of immunization. Conclusion: Despite an active CEV process to find and invite persons with SCD to be vaccinated, these data demonstrate that vaccination rates amongst persons with SCD in BC are below those of other CEV age-matched groups. Vaccination rates amongst adults are also lower than the general population, however there is a high vaccination rate in persons under 20 years old. A subsequent qualitative study exploring COVID vaccine hesitancy amongst persons with SCD in BC is being explored. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveen Siddique Sheikh ◽  
Mumtaz Touseef ◽  
Riddah Sultan ◽  
Kanwal Hassan Cheema ◽  
Sidra Shafiq Cheema ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Vaccine hesitancy is a big obstacle for vaccination programs, as is anticipated for the COVID-19 vaccination program, resulting in low uptake of vaccines thereby hindering the process of reaching herd immunity. Bearing this in mind the current study was aimed to explore the determinants of vaccine hesitancy amongst the Pakistani population. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out from the 23rd-31st January 2021. The conceptual framework of the study was based on the 3Cs (Confidence, Convenience, Complacency) model. Google-forms-based questionnaire was disseminated amongst the general population. Data collected were entered into SPSS version 26 and analyzed. Results: Of the 421 participants, 68.4% were females. Non-healthcare workers were 55.8% of respondents. Vaccine hesitant individuals, 26.13% reported they were very unlikely to get vaccinated. Vaccine was not safe as it came out too fast was agreed upon by 12.6% individuals, 50.6% were worried about experiencing side-effects, 18% believed vaccine will not offer protection and 5.9% believed vaccine would cause death. Low Practice of SOP in non-Healthcare workers was the strongest contributor to vaccine hesitancy (OR: 5.338, p=0.040, 95% CI: 1.082-26.330) followed by High complacency (p=0.026) and Moderate Complacency (OR: 0.212, p=0.007, 95% CI: 0.069-0.654) towards COVID-19 vaccination. In Healthcare workers the strongest contributor to vaccine hesitancy was having a Moderate Confidence (OR: 0.323, p=0.042, 95% CI: 0.109-0.958) in the vaccine followed by Moderate Convenience (OR: 0.304, p=0.049, 95% CI: 0.093-0.993) for vaccination Conclusion: Campaigning and communication strategies to reaffirm confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine and educating the general population about the vaccine could lead to increased perception of vaccine safety and effectiveness thereby restoring confidence in vaccine and decreasing vaccine hesitancy. Likewise, working to increase vaccine convenience and decreasing complacency towards the COVID-19 vaccine would translate into high vaccine uptake.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document