Effectiveness of Mass Vaccination in Brazil against Severe COVID-19 Cases

Background. Mass vaccination campaigns started in Brazil on January/2021 with CoronaVac followed by ChAdOx1 nCov-19, and BNT162b2 mRNA vaccines. Target populations initially included vulnerable groups such as people older than 80 years, with comorbidities, of indigenous origin, and healthcare workers. Younger age groups were gradually included. Methods. A national cohort of 66.3 million records was compiled by linking registry-certified COVID-19 vaccination records from the Brazilian National Immunization Program with information on severe COVID-19 cases and deaths. Cases and deaths were aggregated by state and age group. Mixed-effects Poisson models were used to estimate the rate of severe cases and deaths among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, and the corresponding estimates of vaccine effectiveness by vaccine platform and age group. The study period is from mid-January to mid-July 2021. Results. Estimates of vaccine effectiveness preventing deaths were highest at 97.9% (95% CrI: 93.5-99.8) among 20-39 years old with ChAdOx1 nCov-19, at 82.7% (95% CrI: 80.7-84.6) among 40-59 years old with CoronaVac, and at 89.9% (87.8--91.8) among 40-59 years old with partial immunization of BNT162b2. For all vaccines combined in the full regimen, the effectiveness preventing severe cases among individuals aged 80+ years old was 35.9% (95% CrI: 34.9-36.9) which is lower than that observed for individuals aged 60-79 years (61.0%, 95% CrI: 60.5-61.5). Conclusion. Despite varying effectiveness estimates, Brazil′s population benefited from vaccination in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes. Results, however, suggest significant vaccine-specific reductions in effectiveness by age, given by differences between age groups 60-79 years and over 80 years.

Download Full-text

Assessing real-world vaccine effectiveness against severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection from routine surveillance data in Switzerland

10.31219/osf.io/rxk9b ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nanina Anderegg ◽

Christian L Althaus ◽

Samuel Colin ◽

Anthony Hauser ◽

Anne Laube ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Relative Risk ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Age Groups ◽

Vaccine Effectiveness ◽

Surveillance Data ◽

Age Group ◽

Routine Surveillance ◽

Vaccination Campaigns ◽

Over Time

Background. In Switzerland, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns started early 2021. Vaccine coverage reached 65% of the population in December 2021, mostly using mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNtech. Simultaneously, the proportion of vaccinated among COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths rose, creating some confusion in the general population. We aim to assess vaccine effectiveness against severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection using routine surveillance data on the vaccination status of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths and data on vaccination coverage in Switzerland.Methods. We consider all routine surveillance data on COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths received at the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health from 1 July 2021 to 1 December 2021. We estimate the relative risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization or death for non-fully vaccinated compared to fully vaccinated individuals, adjusted for the dynamics of vaccination coverage over time, by age and location. We stratify the analysis by age group and by calendar month. We assess variations in the relative risk of hospitalization associated with the time since vaccination.Results. We include a total of 5,948 COVID-19-related hospitalizations of which 1,245 (21%) were fully vaccinated, and a total of 739 deaths of which 259 (35%) were fully vaccinated. We find that the relative risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization is 12.5 (95%CI: 11.7 to 13.4) times higher for non-fully vaccinated than for fully vaccinated individuals. This translates into a vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization of 92.0% (95%CI: 91.4 to 92.5%). Vaccine effectiveness against death is estimated to 90.3% (95%CI: 88.6 to 91.8%). Effectiveness appears comparatively lower in age groups over 70 and during the months of October and November 2021. We also find evidence of a decrease in vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization for individuals vaccinated for 25 weeks or more, but this decrease only appears in age groups below 70.Conclusions. The observed proportions of vaccinated among COVD-19-related hospitalizations and deaths in Switzerland are compatible with a high effectiveness of mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNtech against hospitalization and death in all age groups. Effectiveness appears comparatively lower in older age groups, suggesting the importance of booster vaccinations. We find inconclusive evidence that vaccine effectiveness is waning over time. Repeated analyses will be able to better assess waning and the effect of boosters.

Download Full-text

A Study of Varicella Seroprevalence in a Pediatric and Adolescent Population in Florence (Italy). Natural Infection and Vaccination-Acquired Immunization

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9020152 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 152

Author(s):

Beatrice Zanella ◽

Angela Bechini ◽

Benedetta Bonito ◽

Marco Del Riccio ◽

Alessandra Ninci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Infection ◽

Age Groups ◽

Varicella Vaccination ◽

Age Group ◽

Disease Notification ◽

Test Elisa ◽

Vaccine Schedule ◽

Almost All ◽

Vaccination Campaigns ◽

Dose Vaccine

Background: Varicella is a well-known infectious disease that can have severe complications, also in young children. The Universal Varicella Vaccination (UVV) program was introduced in Tuscany (Italy) in 2003, with a two-dose vaccine schedule given to children between their 13th and 15th month, and at 5–6 years old, as a monovalent for varicella (V) or tetravalent (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV)) formulation. Although varicella notifications have dramatically fallen in the last two decades, varicella disease underreporting remains a challenge. Methods: A qualitative immunoenzymatic test (ELISA) was used to measure the presence of anti-varicella antibodies in 165 sera of subjects aged 1–18 years residing in the province of Florence (Italy). Information regarding the anamnestic and vaccination status (including disease notification) was also collected. Results: Our study showed an overall varicella seropositivity of 75.8% (reaching the maximum at 96.3% in the 15–18 years age group). We found that varicella disease notification had been recorded for only 7/165 subjects; however, since 42/165 recalled having had the disease, we can hypothesize that some of them must have been underreported. Furthermore, our study showed that the presence of antibodies after the varicella vaccination remained over time, lasting up to 12 years. Conclusions: Although varicella seroprevalence is <95% in almost all our age groups (except for the 15–18 years age group), our data are encouraging and reflect the success of the introduction of the UVV program and the vaccination campaigns promoted in the Tuscany region.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Prevalence of Periodontitis with Different Indices in Population of District Ghaziabad

Dental Journal of Advance Studies ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1672041 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 04 (01) ◽

pp. 023-030

Author(s):

Vimal Kumar ◽

Pallak Arora ◽

Manish Khatri ◽

Shivani Sharma ◽

Sumit Malhotra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Periodontal Disease ◽

Total Population ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sample Population ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Younger Age ◽

Study Population

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of periodontal disease with different indices. Methods & materials: The study population consisted of multistage stratified random sample of 1300 subjects from total population of district Ghaziabad. A cross-sectional study was conducted with multi stage stratified random sampling techniques to select the sample population. The subjects were divided into different age groups and the periodontal assessment was made on the basis of CPITN index and ESI Index. Results: The CPITN has shown to estimate incorrect periodontal disease prevalence because of its underestimation of the disease severity. A huge difference was noticed in the prevalence rate of periodontitis when subjects were examined with ESI index. Conclusion Periodontal disease was found to be highly prevalent in the study population and severity of disease increased with age. More number of subjects in younger age group were found to be healthy.

Download Full-text

Epidemiology of meningococcal meningitis in Angola, 1994–2000

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268801006318 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 127 (3) ◽

pp. 421-424 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

M. GASPAR ◽

F. LEITE ◽

L. BRUMANA ◽

B. FÉLIX ◽

A. A. STELLA

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Meningococcal Disease ◽

Age Groups ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Civil Conflict ◽

Polysaccharide Vaccine ◽

Meningococcal Meningitis ◽

Mass Vaccination ◽

Meningitis Belt ◽

Vaccination Campaigns

We describe six meningococcal disease outbreaks that occurred in Angola during the period 1994–2000. In total, 7140 cases were documented. The age groups most affected were 15–29 years and 5–14 years; there were no differences in incidence between the sexes. Circulation of both serogroup A and sporadic serogroup B strains was demonstrated. Mass vaccination campaigns with A+C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine were implemented, except in Yambala province in 1999 where insecure conditions precluded this intervention.Outbreaks of serogroup A meningococcal disease in Angola may indicate an extension of these epidemics outside the meningitis belt. Mass vaccination campaigns stopped the Angolan epidemics within weeks. Civil conflict and displaced persons living in crowded areas created serious difficulties for surveillance and impeded timely public health responses.

Download Full-text

Measles Outbreak Associated With Low Vaccine Effectiveness Among Adults in Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia, 2014

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofw064 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Craig M. Hales ◽

Eliaser Johnson ◽

Louisa Helgenberger ◽

Mark J. Papania ◽

Maribeth Larzelere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Vaccine Effectiveness ◽

Mass Vaccination ◽

Cold Chain ◽

Primary Case ◽

Federated States Of Micronesia ◽

Measles Outbreak ◽

Mass Vaccination Campaign ◽

Vaccination Campaigns

Abstract Background. A measles outbreak in Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia in 2014 affected many persons who had received ≥1 dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV). A mass vaccination campaign targeted persons aged 6 months to 49 years, regardless of prior vaccination. Methods. We evaluated vaccine effectiveness (VE) of MCV by comparing secondary attack rates among vaccinated and unvaccinated contacts after household exposure to measles. Results. Among 318 contacts, VE for precampaign MCV was 23.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], −425 to 87.3) for 1 dose, 63.4% (95% CI, −103 to 90.6) for 2 doses, and 95.9% (95% CI, 45.0 to 100) for 3 doses. Vaccine effectiveness was 78.7% (95% CI, 10.1 to 97.7) for campaign doses received ≥5 days before rash onset in the primary case and 50.4% (95% CI, −52.1 to 87.9) for doses received 4 days before to 3 days after rash onset in the primary case. Vaccine effectiveness for most recent doses received before 2010 ranged from 51% to 57%, but it increased to 84% for second doses received in 2010 or later. Conclusions. Low VE was a major source of measles susceptibility in this outbreak; potential reasons include historical cold chain inadequacies or waning of immunity. Vaccine effectiveness of campaign doses supports rapid implementation of vaccination campaigns in outbreak settings.

Download Full-text

Predictive Value of Technical Throwing Skills on Nomination Status in Youth and Long-Term Career Attainment in Handball

Sports Medicine - Open ◽

10.1186/s40798-021-00397-5 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Till Koopmann ◽

Franziska Lath ◽

Dirk Büsch ◽

Jörg Schorer

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

National Level ◽

Age Groups ◽

Age Group ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Chi Square ◽

Career Attainment ◽

Future Performance ◽

Younger Age

Abstract Background Research on talent in sports aims to identify predictors of future performance. This study retrospectively investigated 1) relationships between young handball field players’ technical throwing skills and (a) their potential nomination to youth national teams and (b) their long-term career attainment 10 years later, and 2) associations between nomination status and career attainment. Results Results from retrospectively predicting nomination status and career attainment using logistic regression analyses show that technical throwing skills were partly able to explain players’ nomination status (Nagelkerke R2: females 9.2%, males 13.1%) and career attainment (Nagelkerke R2: 9.8% for female players). Here, variables throwing velocity and time on exercise showed statistically significant effects. In addition, nomination status and career attainment were shown to be associated using chi-square tests (w of .37 and .23 for female and male players, respectively) and nomination status as a predictor increased the prediction of career attainment remarkably (Nagelkerke R2: females 20.3%, males 12.7%). Conclusions Given these results, basic technical throwing skills may serve rather as a prerequisite in this age group on national level, emphasizing its importance already on lower levels and in younger age groups. Furthermore, advantages from entering the national TID system early especially for females are discussed.

Download Full-text

Age and sex variation in visceral adipose tissue

International Journal of Advances in Medicine ◽

10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20190113 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 101

Author(s):

Pallavi Panchu ◽

Biju Bahuleyan ◽

Rose Babu ◽

Vineetha Vijayan

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Metabolic Disorders ◽

Age Groups ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Age ◽

The Difference ◽

Gender Pattern

Background: Adipose tissue mainly visceral fat is said to be harmful and acts as a harbinger of metabolic disorders. A changing trend is seen in the recent decades with decreasing incidence of metabolic disorders in men even though visceral fat is said to be higher in them. Sex hormones may influence the deposition pattern of adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to observe effects of age on visceral fat and to know if the difference in gender pattern of fat distribution is maintained throughout life or disappears after menopause.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Thrissur on 385 apparently healthy subjects using Omron body composition analyser. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.0 version. The tests employed were NOVA, independent samples t-test.Results: In each age group, men had significantly higher visceral fat than females. As age increased, visceral fat increased significantly in both genders. In each group, except for younger age groups, VF levels were equal in men and women.Conclusions: Visceral fat is higher in men and this difference is seen in all age groups. As age increases, visceral fat levels also increased in men and women. The distribution of visceral fat is such that a greater number of men have high to very high levels at a younger age group, a feature observed in women only in the peri and post-menopausal age. Adoption of an active lifestyle coupled with healthy diet should protect against onset of metabolic disorders.

Download Full-text

Monitoring HIV Epidemic in Pregnant Women: Are the Current Measures Enough?

Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

10.1155/2015/194831 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Purva Sarkate ◽

Supriya Paranjpe ◽

Nayana Ingole ◽

Preeti Mehta

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Age Groups ◽

Age Group ◽

Child Transmission ◽

Hiv Epidemic ◽

Opt Out ◽

Younger Age ◽

Heterogeneous Nature ◽

Program Data ◽

Local Levels

Introduction. Burden of HIV in pregnant women follows overall epidemic in India. Hence, it is imperative that prevalence calculations in this group be accurate. The present study was carried out to determine prevalence of HIV in pregnant women attending our hospital, to determine trend of HIV infection and to compare our results with reported prevalence. Methods. All pregnant women are routinely counselled for HIV testing using opt-out strategy. Year-wise positivity and trend were determined in these patients over a period of five years. The positivity in different age groups was determined. Results. 31,609 women were tested of which 279 (0.88%) were positive. Positivity showed a declining trend over study period and significant quadratic trend (biphasic, P<0.05) was observed. The positivity in older age group ≥35 years (1.64%) was significantly more than younger age groups (0.76% in 15–24-year and 0.94% in 25–34-year age group) (P=0.0052). Conclusion. A significant decline in HIV positivity was seen over the study period. Taking into account heterogeneous nature of HIV epidemic even within the same district, analysis at local levels especially using the prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV program data is critical for HIV programming and resource allocation.

Download Full-text

Ontogeny of neonatal pulmonary vascular pressure-flow relationships

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.1992.262.3.h684 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 262 (3) ◽

pp. H684-H690 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. L. Tod ◽

K. Yoshimura ◽

L. J. Rubin

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Pressor Response ◽

Age Groups ◽

Vascular Occlusion ◽

Pressure Gradients ◽

Age Group ◽

Middle Region ◽

Younger Age ◽

Inhibition Of Prostaglandin Synthesis ◽

Arteries And Veins

Previously we reported that pulmonary vascular pressure gradients determined by vascular occlusion varied as a function of neonatal age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of blood flow on pressure gradients during normoxia (inspired O2 28%) and hypoxia (inspired O2 4.2%) in isolated, indomethacin-treated lungs obtained from lambs at less than 1, 2-4, 12-14, and 30-32 days of age (n = 6 at each age). The total pulmonary pressure gradient was partitioned into pressure gradients across relatively indistensible arteries and veins and relatively compliant vessels in the middle region (delta Pm) by inflow and outflow occlusions at flows of 25, 50, 75, and 100 ml.kg-1.min-1. During normoxia, lungs from lambs less than 1 day of age had significantly greater pressures at each flow than lungs from older lambs, due primarily to a significantly greater delta Pm in this age group. During hypoxia, the greatest vasoconstriction occurred in the youngest group, also due mostly to an increased delta Pm. This enhanced response to hypoxia in the younger age groups was due to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis; without indomethacin treatment, the older age groups had a greater hypoxic pressor response than the younger groups. The arterial vascular resistance at all ages was relatively constant as a function of blood flow during both normoxia and hypoxia, whereas the total and middle vascular resistances generally decreased as a function of flow. The venous resistance initially decreased and then was constant. These results suggest that the neonatal pulmonary circulation h as a fixed arterial resistance, a slightly distensible venous region at low flows, and a more distensible middle region.

Download Full-text

Can traditional games be an option in increasing the physical activity of women following mastectomy?

Biomedical Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/bhk-2015-0014 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Małgorzata Bronikowska ◽

Michał Bronikowski ◽

Agata Glapa ◽

Bartosz Prabucki

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Women ◽

Age Groups ◽

Recovery Process ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Women ◽

Younger Age ◽

Ring Net

SummaryStudy aim: the purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential of traditional games as a method of increasing the physical activity (PA) of women following mastectomy. A cross-sectional survey during the 20th ONCO Games was conducted and the sample included data from women divided into two groups: up to 50 years old (n = 26) and over 50 years old (n = 86).Material and methods: PA was assessed using a questionnaire, and the number of steps taking during 30-minute periods was measured using pedometers during each of the games. Exertion was evaluated using Borg’s Scale.Results: there was no difference in levels of coherence between the age groups. The group of younger women were statistically more active (M = 3.34 days/week) than the older group (M = 2.77 days/week). All the games were evaluated to be of light intensity, with ringo perceived as being statistically more fatiguing in the over 50 age group. The highest number of steps was performed during the game of ring-net-ball (M = 1903 steps/30 min) in both age groups, with older women performing statistically more steps. Similar situations were observed in the cases of pétanque and speedminton. In ringo, the situation was reversed. The lowest number of steps was recorded in pétanque in the younger age group (M = 296 steps/30 min).Conclusion: this study indicates that in the rehabilitation and recovery process after mastectomy, traditional games could be a bridging link between exercising and sports as they provide not just activity but also a unique and valuable social context.

Download Full-text