scholarly journals High COVID-19 vaccine coverage allows for a re-opening of European universities

Author(s):  
Jana Lasser ◽  
Timotheus Hell ◽  
David Garcia

Returning universities to full on-campus operations while the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing has been a controversial discussion in many countries. The risk of large outbreaks in dense course settings is contrasted by the benefits of in-person teaching. Transmission risk depends on a range of parameters, such as vaccination coverage, number of contacts and adoption of non-pharmaceutical intervention measures (NPIs). Due to the generalised academic freedom in Europe, many universities are asked to autonomously decide on and implement intervention measures and regulate on-campus operations. In the context of rapidly changing vaccination coverage and parameters of the virus, universities often lack the scientific facts to base these decisions on. To address this problem, we analyse a calibrated, data-driven simulation of transmission dynamics of 10755 students and 974 faculty in a medium-sized university. We use a co-location network reconstructed from student enrolment data and calibrate transmission risk based on outbreak size distributions in other Austrian education institutions. We focus on actionable interventions that are part of the already existing decision-making process of universities to provide guidance for concrete policy decisions. Here we show that with the vaccination coverage of about 80\% recently reported for students in Austria, universities can be safely reopened if they either mandate masks or reduce lecture hall occupancy to 50\%. Our results indicate that relaxing NPIs within an organisation based on the vaccination coverage of its sub-population can be a way towards limited normalcy, even if nation wide vaccination coverage is not sufficient to prevent large outbreaks yet.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor S. Farthing ◽  
Cristina Lanzas

AbstractAs vaccination efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic are ramping up worldwide, there are rising concerns that individuals will begin to eschew nonpharmaceutical interventions for preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and attempt to return to pre-pandemic normalcy before vaccine coverage levels effectively mitigate transmission risk. In the U.S.A., some governing bodies have already weakened or repealed guidelines for nonpharmaceutical intervention use, despite a recent spike in national COVID-19 cases and majority population of unvaccinated individuals. Recent modeling suggests that repealing nonpharmaceutical intervention guidelines too early into vaccine rollouts will lead to localized increases in COVID-19 cases, but the magnitude of nonpharmaceutical intervention effects on individual-level SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in fully- and partially-vaccinated populations is unclear. We use a previously-published agent-based model to simulate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in indoor gatherings of varying durations, population densities, and vaccination coverage levels. By simulating nonpharmaceutical interventions in some gatherings but not others, we were able to quantify the difference in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk when nonpharmaceutical interventions were used, relative to scenarios with no nonpharmaceutical interventions. We found that nonpharmaceutical interventions will often reduce secondary attack rates, especially during brief interactions, and therefore there is no definitive vaccination coverage level that makes nonpharmaceutical interventions completely redundant. However, the reduction effect on absolute SARS-CoV-2 infection risk conferred by nonpharmaceutical interventions is likely proportional to COVID-19 prevalence. Therefore, if COVID-19 prevalence decreases in the future, nonpharmaceutical interventions will likely still confer protective effects but potential benefits may be small enough to remain within “effectively negligible” risk thresholds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amalie Dyda ◽  
Surendra Karki ◽  
Marlene Kong ◽  
Heather F Gidding ◽  
John M Kaldor ◽  
...  

Background: There is limited information on vaccination coverage and characteristics associated with vaccine uptake in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults. We aimed to provide more current estimates of influenza vaccination coverage in Aboriginal adults. Methods: Self-reported vaccination status (n=559 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander participants, n=80,655 non-Indigenous participants) from the 45 and Up Study, a large cohort of adults aged 45 years or older, was used to compare influenza vaccination coverage in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults with coverage in non-Indigenous adults. Results: Of Aboriginal and non-Indigenous respondents aged 49 to <65 years, age-standardised influenza coverage was respectively 45.2% (95% CI 39.5–50.9%) and 38.5%, (37.9–39.0%), p-value for heterogeneity=0.02. Coverage for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous respondents aged ≥65 years was respectively 67.3% (59.9–74.7%) and 72.6% (72.2–73.0%), p-heterogeneity=0.16. Among Aboriginal adults, coverage was higher in obese than in healthy weight participants (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.38, 95%CI 1.44–3.94); in those aged <65 years with a medical risk factor than in those without medical risk factors (aOR=2.13, 1.37–3.30); and in those who rated their health as fair/poor compared to those who rated it excellent (aOR=2.57, 1.26–5.20). Similar associations were found among non-Indigenous adults. Conclusions: In this sample of adults ≥65 years, self-reported influenza vaccine coverage was not significantly different between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous adults whereas in those <65 years, coverage was higher among Aboriginal adults. Overall, coverage in the whole cohort was suboptimal. If these findings are replicated in other samples and in the Australian Immunisation Register, it suggests that measures to improve uptake, such as communication about the importance of influenza vaccine and more effective reminder systems, are needed among adults.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Daniel Garzon-Chavez ◽  
Jackson Rivas-Condo ◽  
Adriana Echeverria ◽  
Jhoanna Mozo ◽  
Emmanuelle Quentin ◽  
...  

The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is a well-known vaccine with almost a century of use, with the apparent capability to improve cytokine production and epigenetics changes that could develop a better response to pathogens. It has been postulated that BCG protection against SARS-CoV-2 has a potential role in the pandemic, through the presence of homologous amino acid sequences. To identify a possible link between BCG vaccination coverage and COVID-19 cases, we used official epidemic data and Ecuadorian Ministry of Health and Pan American Health Organization vaccination information. BCG information before 1979 was available only at a national level. Therefore, projections based on the last 20 years were performed, to compare by specific geographic units. We used a Mann–Kendall test to identify BCG coverage variations, and mapping was conducted with a free geographic information system (QGIS). Nine provinces where BCG vaccine coverage was lower than 74.25% show a significant statistical association (χ2 Pearson’s = 4.800, df = 1, p = 0.028), with a higher prevalence of cases for people aged 50 to 64 years than in younger people aged 20 to 49 years. Despite the availability of BCG vaccination data and the mathematical models needed to compare these data with COVID-19 cases, our results show that, in geographic areas where BCG coverage was low, 50% presented a high prevalence of COVID-19 cases that were young; thus, low-coverage years were more affected.


2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e9
Author(s):  
Angela K. Shen ◽  
Cristi A. Bramer ◽  
Lynsey M. Kimmins ◽  
Robert Swanson ◽  
Patricia Vranesich ◽  
...  

Objectives. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immunization services across the life course. Methods. In this retrospective study, we used Michigan immunization registry data from 2018 through September 2020 to assess the number of vaccine doses administered, number of sites providing immunization services to the Vaccines for Children population, provider location types that administer adult vaccines, and vaccination coverage for children. Results. Of 12 004 384 individual vaccine doses assessed, 48.6%, 15.6%, and 35.8% were administered to children (aged 0–8 years), adolescents (aged 9–18 years), and adults (aged 19–105 years), respectively. Doses administered overall decreased beginning in February 2020, with peak declines observed in April 2020 (63.3%). Overall decreases in adult doses were observed in all settings except obstetrics and gynecology provider offices and pharmacies. Local health departments reported a 66.4% decrease in doses reported. For children, the total number of sites administering pediatric vaccines decreased while childhood vaccination coverage decreased 4.4% overall and 5.8% in Medicaid-enrolled children. Conclusions. The critical challenge is to return to prepandemic levels of vaccine doses administered as well as to catch up individuals for vaccinations missed. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 7, 2021: e1–e9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306474 )


Author(s):  
Asha Jama ◽  
Mona Ali ◽  
Ann Lindstrand ◽  
Robb Butler ◽  
Asli Kulane

Background: Vaccination hesitancy and skepticism among parents hinders progress in achieving full vaccination coverage. Swedish measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage is high however some areas with low vaccination coverage risk outbreaks. This study aimed to explore factors influencing the decision of Somali parents living in the Rinkeby and Tensta districts of Stockholm, Sweden, on whether or not to vaccinate their children with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Method: Participants were 13 mothers of at least one child aged 18 months to 5 years, who were recruited using snowball sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted in Somali and Swedish languages and the data generated was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Both written and verbal informed consent were obtained from participants. Results: Seven of the mothers had not vaccinated their youngest child at the time of the study and decided to postpone the vaccination until their child became older (delayers). The other six mothers had vaccinated their child for MMR at the appointed time (timely vaccinators). The analysis of the data revealed two main themes: (1) barriers to vaccinate on time, included issues surrounding fear of the child not speaking and unpleasant encounters with nurses and (2) facilitating factors to vaccinate on time, included heeding vaccinating parents’ advice, trust in nurses and trust in God. The mothers who had vaccinated their children had a positive impact in influencing other mothers to also vaccinate. Conclusions: Fear, based on the perceived risk that vaccination will lead to autism, among Somali mothers in Tensta and Rinkeby is evident and influenced by the opinions of friends and relatives. Child Healthcare Center nurses are important in the decision-making process regarding acceptance of MMR vaccination. There is a need to address mothers’ concerns regarding vaccine safety while improving the approach of nurses as they address these concerns.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Truelove ◽  
Claire P. Smith ◽  
Michelle Qin ◽  
Luke C. Mullany ◽  
Rebecca K. Borchering ◽  
...  

What is already known about this topic? The highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has begun to cause increases in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in parts of the United States. With slowed vaccination uptake, this novel variant is expected to increase the risk of pandemic resurgence in the US in July-December 2021. What is added by this report? Data from nine mechanistic models project substantial resurgences of COVID-19 across the US resulting from the more transmissible Delta variant. These resurgences, which have now been observed in most states, were projected to occur across most of the US, coinciding with school and business reopening. Reaching higher vaccine coverage in July-December 2021 reduces the size and duration of the projected resurgence substantially. The expected impact of the outbreak is largely concentrated in a subset of states with lower vaccination coverage. What are the implications for public health practice? Renewed efforts to increase vaccination uptake are critical to limiting transmission and disease, particularly in states with lower current vaccination coverage. Reaching higher vaccination goals in the coming months can potentially avert 1.5 million cases and 21,000 deaths and improve the ability to safely resume social contacts, and educational and business activities. Continued or renewed non-pharmaceutical interventions, including masking, can also help limit transmission, particularly as schools and businesses reopen.


2015 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Dorota Mrozek-Budzyn ◽  
Renata Majewska ◽  
Agnieszka Kiełtyka ◽  
Małgorzata Augustyniak

Abstract Introduction. Poland is a member of the WHO European Region where a complete eradication of measles and rubella is planned to be finished by 2015. Poland accounted for 99% of all reported rubella cases in 27 EU/EEA countries in 2013. It is a good time to evaluate whether the established Polish vaccination strategy was sufficient to reach the goal of rubella elimination in the near future. Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiology of rubella in Poland when the disease outbreak took place in 2013, to determine the reasons of that situation and to find the solution for future rubella elimination strategies. Material and methods. To analyze the epidemiology of rubella in Poland during the disease outbreak in 2013 the authors used rubella surveillance data collected by the Provincial and National Notifiable Disease Reporting System in 2004-2013. The information at the provincial level derived from one of the 16 provinces (Malopolska). The data on MMR vaccination coverage in 2003-2012 derived from the National Surveillance System. The percentages of rubella cases and vaccine coverage between Poland with Malopolska province were compared. Results. The outbreak started in late 2012 and continued through 2013, when 38548 rubella cases (incidence rate 100.1/ 100 000) were notified. Geographically, rubella cases were reported from the entire country, with the highest incidence rate in Malopolska province (254.9/100 000). Only 5 cases from Malopolska and 120 in whole country were laboratory confirmed, the remaining 99.7% were reported solely on the basis of clinical signs. The vaccination coverage was not sufficient to protect the population against rubella outbreak in Poland, especially among adolescents and young adult males. Conclusions. The strengthening of routine immunization program and implementation of some additional vaccination campaigns in young adults as well as laboratory confirmation of all suspected cases are the challenges that will have to be met to eliminate rubella in Poland


2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (49) ◽  
Author(s):  
M L Ciofi Degli Atti ◽  
P D'Argenio ◽  
G di Giorgio ◽  
A Filonzi ◽  
L Grandori

The geographical distribution of measles in Italy during the epidemic that occurred in 2002 (1) closely reflected the vaccination coverage distribution at provincial and regional level. Over recent years there had been an accumulation of susceptible children and adolescents. Estimates of the full impact of the 2002 epidemic are awaited although by July in one region there had been 13 cases of encephalitis and three deaths (1). To eliminate measles in Italy, it will be necessary to vaccinate more than 95% of children with two doses of vaccine and reduce older susceptibles with supplementary “catch-up” vaccination programmes. Also, as elimination gets closer, surveillance and the capacity to investigate epidemics must be improved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-241
Author(s):  
Wändi Bruine de Bruin ◽  
Mirta Galesic ◽  
Andrew M. Parker ◽  
Raffaele Vardavas

Purpose. “False consensus” refers to individuals with (v. without) an experience judging that experience as more (v. less) prevalent in the population. We examined the role of people’s perceptions of their social circles (family, friends, and acquaintances) in shaping their population estimates, false consensus patterns, and vaccination intentions. Methods. In a national online flu survey, 351 participants indicated their personal vaccination and flu experiences, assessed the percentage of individuals with those experiences in their social circles and the population, and reported their vaccination intentions. Results. Participants’ population estimates of vaccination coverage and flu prevalence were associated with their perceptions of their social circles’ experiences, independent of their own experiences. Participants reporting less social circle “homophily” (or fewer social contacts sharing their experience) showed less false consensus and even “false uniqueness.” Vaccination intentions were greater among nonvaccinators reporting greater social circle vaccine coverage. Discussion. Social circle perceptions play a role in population estimates and, among individuals who do not vaccinate, vaccination intentions. We discuss implications for the literature on false consensus, false uniqueness, and social norms interventions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 1987
Author(s):  
Thaís De Almeida da Silva ◽  
Suzana Lins da Silva ◽  
Maria Gorete Lucena de Vasconcelos

ABSTRACTObjective: describing the vaccination status of the children admitted in a school hospital in Recife-PE. Methodology: descriptive, exploratory, crossectional and quantitative study with a sample of 296 children aged from 0 to full 72 months.  To collect the data we used a questionnaire containing open and closed questions and the same has been started after approval by the Ethics Committee of IMIP Protocol (No 1100/2007). Results: It was observed that 65,6% of the children at the maximum age of 12 months presented a delayed immunization schedule. Conclusions: although the majority of the sample characteristics of this present study were favorable for an excellent vaccine coverage was present, this fact was not observed, this finding could be considered alarming, because this portion of the population is more vulnerable to preventable diseases. Thus, it is necessary a greater commitment especially by those working in primary care in the PSFs, since they are closer to the community and know their limitations, so that flaws like this are corrected. It is emphasized the importance of the proper functioning of the halls of vaccines, thus able to reverse the low vaccination coverage, helping to achieve the target of PNI, and mainly we are valuing our children's health. Descriptors: vaccination; vaccination coverage; immunization RESUMOObjetivo: descrever a situação vacinal das crianças internadas em um Hospital-Escola da cidade do Recife-PE. Metodologia: estudo descritivo, exploratório, transversal e quantitativo com amostra de 296 crianças na faixa etária de zero a 72 meses completos de idade. Para a coleta dos dados utilizou-se um instrumento contendo questões abertas e fechadas e a mesma deu-se inicio após aprovação do Comitê de Ética do IMIP (protocolo nº 1100/ 2007). Resultados: em relação ao esquema vacinal 65,6% das crianças com idade menor ou igual a 12 meses, estavam com o esquema vacinal em atraso. Conclusões: embora a maioria das características da amostra do presente estudo fosse favorável para que uma excelente cobertura vacinal estivesse presente, tal fato não foi observado, tal achado pode ser considerado preocupante, pois esta parcela da população encontra-se mais vulnerável às doenças imunopreveníveis. Deste modo, faz-se necessário um maior empenho principalmente por parte dos profissionais que trabalham na atenção básica, nos PSFs, uma vez que estes estão mais próximos da comunidade e conhecem as suas limitações, para que falhas como esta sejam corrigidas. Ressalta-se ainda a importância do bom funcionamento das salas de vacinas,deste modo conseguiremos reverter as baixas coberturas vacinais, contribuindo para alcançar a meta do PNI, e, principalmente estaremos prezando pela saúde das nossas crianças. Descritores: vacinação; cobertura vacinal; imunizaçãoRESUMENObjetivo: describir la situación relativa a vacunas de niños internados en un Hospital Escuela de la ciudad de Recife (Pernambuco, Brasil). Metodología: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, transversal y cuantitativo con una muestra de 296 niños de entre cero y 72 meses de edad completos. Para recoger los datos se utilizó un cuestionario con preguntas abiertas y cerradas y lo mismo se ha iniciado después de la aprobación por el Comité de Ética del IMIP (Protocolo n º 1100/2007. Resultados: en relación al esquema de vacunación el 65,6% de los niños con edad menor o igual a 12 meses estaba con su esquema de vacunación en atraso. Conclusiones: aunque la mayoría de los niños del muestreo del presente estudio tuviera condiciones favorables a una efectiva cobertura de vacunación presente, no se observó tal hecho. Este hallazgo puede considerarse preocupante puesto que esta parte de la población se encuentra más vulnerable a las enfermedades inmuno-prevenibles. De esta forma es necesario un mayor empeño, principalmente por parte de los profesionales que trabajan en la atención ambulatoria, en los Programas de Salud de la Familia (visitas médicas), ya que están más cercanos de los pacientes y conocen incluso sus limitaciones, para que los errores se corrijan. Se destaca la importancia del buen funcionamiento de las salas de vacunas. De este modo se conseguirán revertir las bajas coberturas de vacunación, contribuyendo para alcanzar la meta del Programa Nacional de Inmunización, y sobre todo se estará velando por la salud de los niños. Descriptores: vacunación; cobertura vacuna; inmunización.


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