Current COVID-19 vaccine epidemiology and dentistry

Dental Update ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 881-886
Author(s):  
Lakshman Samaranayake

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine story is continuously unfolding. Since our previous COVID-19 commentaries, much new information has transpired on the subject, and here we revisit this topic, which has practical implications for all stakeholders in dentistry, as well as the public. This article, on current vaccine epidemiology, provides an account of why vaccines fail in general, and the particular concerns in relation to the new Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and related ‘variants of concern’. Issues related to vaccine failure are fundamentally dichotomous in nature, appertaining either to the vaccine strain (type) per se, and/or the numerous endogenous factors of the vaccine recipient/vaccinee. Societal factors such as vaccine hesitancy and its impact on herd immunity appear to overarch the long-term goal of total or partial global suppression of SARS-CoV-2, and its eventual endemicity. CPD/Clinical Relevance: To describe the reasons for the failure of currently administered COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in relation to the advent of the SARS-CoV-2 ‘variants of concern’, and discuss implications for clinical dental practice.

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Davide Gori ◽  
Chiara Reno ◽  
Daniel Remondini ◽  
Francesco Durazzi ◽  
Maria Pia Fantini

While the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to strike and collect its death toll throughout the globe, as of 31 January 2021, the vaccine candidates worldwide were 292, of which 70 were in clinical testing. Several vaccines have been approved worldwide, and in particular, three have been so far authorized for use in the EU. Vaccination can be, in fact, an efficient way to mitigate the devastating effect of the pandemic and offer protection to some vulnerable strata of the population (i.e., the elderly) and reduce the social and economic burden of the current crisis. Regardless, a question is still open: after vaccination availability for the public, will vaccination campaigns be effective in reaching all the strata and a sufficient number of people in order to guarantee herd immunity? In other words: after we have it, will we be able to use it? Following the trends in vaccine hesitancy in recent years, there is a growing distrust of COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition, the online context and competition between pro- and anti-vaxxers show a trend in which anti-vaccination movements tend to capture the attention of those who are hesitant. Describing this context and analyzing its possible causes, what interventions or strategies could be effective to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy? Will social media trend analysis be helpful in trying to solve this complex issue? Are there perspectives for an efficient implementation of COVID-19 vaccination coverage as well as for all the other vaccinations?


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Zizzo

The Covid-19 pandemic has propelled public health officials into the socio-political sphere due to the need for constantly updated information on behalf of the public. However, many individuals choose to acquire health information/guidance from indirect sources, including social media, news organizations, and general word of mouth. As a result, myths and false narratives about various essential health topics, including vaccine characteristics and protective measures, can circulate un-verified between millions of individuals with little recourse. These can further widen the “gap” between public knowledge and current research, resulting in lower vaccine uptake (vaccine hesitancy) and protective measure adherence. Such actions have profound implications as nations attempt to achieve herd immunity and end the pandemic once and for all. Thus, it is vital that public health officials, health providers, researchers, and the general public be able to differentiate common Covid-19 myths from facts and be prepared to approach such interactions via sound reasoning and research-based evidence. This chapter will serve as a guide to accomplish just that.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
KENNETH V. ISERSON

AbstractThe world awaits a SARS-CoV-2 virus (i.e., COVID-19 disease) vaccine to keep the populace healthy, fully reopen their economies, and return their social and healthcare systems to “normal.” Vaccine safety and efficacy requires meticulous testing and oversight; this paper describes how despite grandiose public statements, the current vaccine development, testing, and production methods may prove to be ethically dubious, medically dangerous, and socially volatile. The basic moral concern is the potential danger to the health of human test subjects and, eventually, many vaccine recipients. This is further complicated by economic and political pressures to reduce government oversight on rushed vaccine testing and production, nationalistic distribution goals, and failure to plan for the widespread immunization needed to produce global herd immunity. As this paper asserts, the public must be better informed to assess promises about the novel vaccines being produced and to tolerate delays and uncertainty.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 191
Author(s):  
Jiahao Wang ◽  
Xinran Lu ◽  
Xiaozhen Lai ◽  
Yun Lyu ◽  
Haijun Zhang ◽  
...  

COVID-19 vaccines have been conditionally used in a few countries, including China since December 2020. The present study aimed to examine whether the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination changed in different COVID-19 epidemic phases in China. Two consecutive surveys were conducted among Chinese adults in March (n = 2058) (severe epidemic phase) and November–December (n = 2013) (well-contained phase, right before the COVID-19 vaccine was conditionally approved) 2020, and 791 respondents were longitudinally followed-up. The attitude, acceptance, and preferences for future COVID-19 vaccination were compared between two epidemic phases. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify influencing factors of acceptance. Among the 791 respondents longitudinally followed, 91.9% in March and 88.6% of them in November–December 2020 would like to get COVID-19 vaccination in China. In March 58.3% wished to get vaccinated immediately, but the proportion declined to 23.0% in November–December 2020, because more respondents wanted to delay vaccination until the vaccine’s safety was confirmed. Similar results were found by comparing all respondents from the two cross-sectional surveys in different epidemic phases. The risk perception, attitude for the importance of vaccination against COVID-19, vaccination history, valuing doctor’s recommendations, vaccination convenience, or vaccine price in decision-making had impacts on respondents’ intention for immediate vaccination. The public acceptance for COVID-19 vaccination in China sustained at a high level in different COVID-19 epidemic phases. However, the intention of immediate vaccination declined substantially due to concerns about the vaccine’s safety. Information about vaccination safety from authoritative sources, doctor’s recommendations, and vaccination convenience were important in addressing vaccine hesitancy and promoting successful herd immunity for the general population in China.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Max Deschner ◽  
Marcel Tunks ◽  
Cory Yamashita

In recent years there has been a proliferation in the practice of vaping to consume nicotine-and cannabis-based products. While evidence on the benefits and risks of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is evolving, this brief primer highlights important new information about vaping for clinicians, researchers and the public. In 2018, the Canadian government passed legislation to regulate tobacco and vaping products. We discuss evidence comparing e-cigarettes versus nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation and highlight limitations of this body of research. While e-cigarettes are felt to contain fewer toxins than cigarettes, the long-term effects of vaping remain unknown. Emerging data demonstrates associations between vaping and acute and chronic lung disease. We discuss the emergence of an outbreak of severe lung injury associated with e-cigarette use in the United States and similar cases in Canada. Finally, we review evidence demonstrating the growing prevalence of vaping and smoking amongst Canadian youth. RESUMECes dernières années, on a assisté à une prolifération de la pratique de la vaporisation pour consommer des produits à base de nicotine et de cannabis. Alors que les preuves sur les avantages et les risques des cigarettes électroniques (e-cigarettes) évoluent, ce bref aperçu met en lumière de nouvelles informations importantes sur le vaping pour les cliniciens, les chercheurs et le public. En 2018, le gouvernement canadien a adopté une loi pour réglementer les produits du tabac et les produits à base de vapeur. Nous examinons les données comparant les e-cigarettes et les thérapies de remplacement de la nicotine pour le sevrage tabagique et soulignons les limites de ce corpus de recherche. Bien que l’on estime que les e-cigarettes contiennent moins de toxines que les cigarettes, les effets à long terme des vapeurs restent inconnus. Les données émergentes démontrent des associations entre l’inhalation de vapeurs et les maladies pulmonaires aiguës et chroniques. Nous discutons de l’émergence d’une épidémie de lésions pulmonaires graves associées à l’utilisation des e-cigarettes aux États-Unis et de cas similaires au Canada. Enfin, nous passons en revue les preuves démontrant la prévalence croissante des vapeurs et du tabagisme chez les jeunes Canadiens.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1530
Author(s):  
Li Ping Wong ◽  
Yulan Lin ◽  
Haridah Alias ◽  
Sazaly Abu Bakar ◽  
Qinjian Zhao ◽  
...  

Purpose: This study analyzed the insights and sentiments of COVID-19 anti-vaccine comments from Instagram feeds and Facebook postings. The sentiments related to the acceptance and effectiveness of the vaccines that were on the verge of being made available to the public. Patients and methods: The qualitative software QSR-NVivo 10 was used to manage, code, and analyse the data. Results: The analyses uncovered several major issues concerning COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The production of the COVID-19 vaccine at an unprecedented speed evoked the fear of skipping steps that would compromise vaccine safety. The unknown long-term effects and duration of protection erode confidence in taking the vaccines. There were also persistent concerns with regard to vaccine compositions that could be harmful or contain aborted foetal cells. The rate of COVID-19 death was viewed as low. Many interpreted the 95% effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine as insufficient. Preference for immunity gains from having an infection was viewed as more effective. Peer-reviewed publication-based data were favoured as a source of trust in vaccination decision-making. Conclusions: The anti-COVID-19 vaccine sentiments found in this study provide important insights for the formulation of public health messages to instill confidence in the vaccines.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Benatov

Our conference is the first project of Student Science Association, which was restored in our University in 1998. The main peculiarity of the conference is the student organizing committee. The conference was attended by representatives of Russia, Belarus, Sweden, Poland, Bulgaria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Georgia, Iran, not mentioning hundreds of Ukrainian participants. We’re happy with the fact that our conference allows students to discover new information, which they wouldn’t find in training courses manuals; contrariwise businesses and organizations can get direct access to young and qualified staff. We believe that events like our conference are useful for the young scientists and also for the public authorities and businesses. Conference "Ecology. Human. Society "is a part of feedback between universities and market participants. The conference has overgrown limits of being simple educational process element. Today, it is a serious recruiting resource for state institutions and businesses - an important part of a mutually beneficial dialogue.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Md Mostafizur Rahman ◽  
Mahmud Uz Zaman

Pharmaceuticals agglomerations consistently use their brand image and versatile product portfolios to consolidate their position in the financial sector, which is evident in their continuous profit making and expansion in market share. This paper explores the short-term and long-term investment attractiveness through ‘consumer centric decision’ approach in two selected pharmaceutical companies, Renata Limited and Orion Pharma Limited, of Bangladesh over the last three years’ period. This research adopts a systematic approach which primarily addresses the various concerns of investors to illustrate the decision-making process of the existing and future investors. Using primarily domestic transaction data, this study explores how the leading pharmaceuticals companies of Bangladesh effectively use the wide array of drug portfolios mix with appropriate branding techniques to increase their financial profit and market share simultaneously. Both SWOT analysis and Porters Five Forces Model explore the business analysis of Renata Limited in compare to Orion Pharma Limited that provides a conclusion regarding investors’ decision to invest in Renata Limited. Considering the financial analysis, Renata’s financial liquidity is not very satisfactory and could have been improved further if management is prudent on financial strategy settings. Findings of the business analysis indicate that Renata Limited would be a good investment choice for existing and prospective shareholders based on its opportunities for long term and short term growth and further expansion in developing the market. The results suggest that even lower liquidity coupled with higher interest borrowings can be balanced by posing positive picture to the public shareholders by returning the positive dividend to them.


Author(s):  
Liesel Mack Filgueiras ◽  
Andreia Rabetim ◽  
Isabel Aché Pillar

Reflection about the role of community engagement and corporate social investment in Brazil, associated with the presence of a large economic enterprise, is the major stimulus of this chapter. It seeks to present how cross-sector governance can contribute to the social development of a city and how this process can be led by a partnership comprising a corporate foundation, government, and civil society. The concept of the public–private social partnership (PPSP) is explored: a strategy for building a series of inter-sectoral alliances aimed at promoting the sustainable development of territories where the company has large-scale enterprises, through joint efforts towards integrated long-term strategic planning, around a common agenda. To this end, the case of Canaã dos Carajás is introduced, a municipality in the State of Pará, in the Amazon region, where large-scale mining investment is being carried out by the mining company Vale SA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Kärnä

AbstractIncomplete capital markets and credit constraints for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often considered obstacles to economic growth, thus motivating government interventions in capital markets. While such policies are common, it is less clear to what extent these interventions result in firm growth or to which firms interventions should be targeted. Using a unique dataset with information about state bank loans targeting credit-constrained SMEs in Sweden with and without complementary private bank loans, this paper contributes to the literature by studying how these loans affect the targeted firms for several outcome variables. The results suggest that the loans create a one-off increase in investments, with long-term, positive effects for sales and labor productivity but only for firms with 10 or fewer employees. Increased access to capital by firms can therefore produce increases in economic output but only in a specific type of firm. This insight is of key importance in designing policy if the aim is to increase economic growth.


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