scholarly journals Secondary impacts of COVID-19: Risk of vaccination reduction and global resurgence of measles

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasmiah Nuzhath ◽  
Md Mahbub Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Physical Distance ◽  
World Health ◽  
External Shocks ◽  
Immunization Programs ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Immunization Services ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Measles Outbreaks ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
The Postponement

The World Health Organization temporarily suspended all mass vaccination campaigns to control the pandemic spread of COVID-19 and the national lockdown across the countries has resulted in the postponement of routine immunization programs following the recommendations of maintaining physical distance. Any disruption of immunization services, even for short duration will result in an increased likelihood of vaccine preventable disease such as measles outbreaks. Amidst ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is therefore, essential to prevent these challenges through effective policymaking and strategic planning. Such measures should not only aim to recover the gaps in national and regional immunization goals but also emphasize on building health systems resiliency to external shocks that may affect vaccination programs across context.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccination Perception and Attitude among Healthcare Workers in Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110133
Author(s):  
Samar Fares ◽  
Merihan M. Elmnyer ◽  
Shimaa Sabry Mohamed ◽  
Radwa Elsayed
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
P Value ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Introduction COVID-19 pandemic has affected the whole world, especially the frontline worriers. To get shielded through this war, the world is racing to reach and manufacture COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination hesitancy is one of the significant obstacles to global health. Objectives This study aimed to assess the perception and attitude of healthcare workers in Egypt toward COVID-19 vaccines, acknowledge the determinants of their attitude, and the factors that could increase the acceptance of the vaccine. Methods an observational web-based anonymous survey was conducted on 385 Egyptian healthcare workers in different governorates. The questionnaire-based on Vaccine Hesitancy Survey Questions of the World Health Organization was available in Arabic and English languages and was tested for reliability. Results Regarding vaccination decision, 51% of the participants were undecided, 28% refused, and 21% accepted vaccination. Reasons for vaccine acceptance mainly were risks of COVID-19 (93%), safety (57.5%), and effectiveness (56.25%) of the vaccine. Simultaneously, the reasons for vaccine hesitancy were the absence of enough clinical trials (92.4%) and fear of side effects of the vaccine (91.4%). The leading factor that could increase vaccination acceptance among the participants was to get sufficient and accurate information about the available vaccines. The participants revealed a high mean level of concern for COVID-19 vaccines’ safety (3.8 of 5) that differs significantly among the different study groups ( P-value .002). Conclusion Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, only approximately 21% of Egyptian healthcare workers in our study accepted the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy represents a major barrier to implementing vaccination programs.

scholarly journals Vaccination Coverage for Routine Vaccines and Herd Immunity Levels against Measles and Pertussis in the World in 2019

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
Pedro Plans-Rubió
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Immunization Programs ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
The World ◽  
Measles Vaccination ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Health Organization

In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Global Vaccine Action Plan with the objective to promote essential vaccinations in all countries and achieve at least 90% vaccination coverage for all routine vaccines by 2020. The study assessed the mean percentages of vaccination coverage in 2019 for 13 routine vaccines, vaccination coverage variation from 2015 to 2019, and herd immunity levels against measles and pertussis in 2019 in countries and regions of WHO. In 2019, the mean percentages of vaccination coverage were lower than 90% for 10 (78.9%) routine vaccines. The mean percentages of vaccination coverage also decreased from 2015 to 2019 for six (46.2%) routine vaccines. The prevalence of individuals with vaccine-induced measles immunity in the target measles vaccination population was 88.1%, and the prevalence of individuals with vaccine-induced pertussis immunity in the target pertussis vaccination population was 81.1%. Herd immunity against measles viruses with Ro = 18 was established in 63 (32.5%) countries but not established in any region. Herd immunity against pertussis agents was not established in any country and in any region of WHO. National immunization programs must be improved to achieve ≥90% vaccination coverage in all countries and regions. Likewise, it is necessary to achieve ≥95% vaccination coverage with two doses of measles vaccines and three doses of pertussis vaccines in all countries and regions.

Reasons for Vaccine Rejection in 0 to 2 Years Old Children Registered to Family Health Centers in Konya

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 074-079
Author(s):  
Hasan Kucukkendirci ◽  
Fatih Kara ◽  
Gulsum Gulperi Turgut
Keyword(s):  
Health Personnel ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractObjective According to the 2017 report of the World Health Organization (WHO), ∼1.5 million people die from vaccine preventable diseases. The WHO is working to generate and popularize effective vaccination programs. However, the concept of “vaccine rejection,” which first started in Europe and United States, has started to make an impact in Turkey during the past 10 years. It is therefore seen as a growing danger in future. This study was conducted to determine, detect, and prevent the reasons of vaccine rejection that have increased in recent years.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December at 2015. In all districts of Konya (n = 31), it was aimed to reach all 242 families who rejected vaccination to their 0 to 2 years old babies. Families having more than one child refused to vaccinate all of their children. A questionnaire consisting of 47 questions was prepared by the researchers, using the standard trainings of the Ministry of Health and the literature. A total of 172 families agreed to participate in this study. The questionnaire was applied to the parents using the telephone interview technique. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation and percentage.Results About 41.3% (n = 71) of the mothers were high school graduates, 50.6% (n = 87) of their fathers were university graduates. About 82.6% (n = 142) of the participants received examination, treatment and follow-up services from family physicians and family health personnel. About 20.9% (n = 36) of the children were the only children of the family. About 55.8% (n = 96) of the families also refused the vaccination for other children. About 83.7% (n = 144) of the unvaccinated children had infants/children follow-up care. While all participants stated that vaccines had side effects, 31.4% (n = 54) of these believed that vaccines cause autism or paralysis in infants. About 62.2% (n = 107) of their mothers did not receive tetanus vaccine during pregnancy. The highest rate of nonvaccination was with the second dose of hepatitis A vaccine, which 96.5% (n = 166) refused. The most accepted vaccine was the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine, which was refused by 18.0% (n = 31). About 79.7% (n = 137) of the participants did not know the reason for the vaccination and 95.9% (n = 165) thought that the vaccines were not required. All participants received information from the health personnel about the vaccines. While 9.9% (n = 17) of the families thought that vaccines cause infertility, 44.8% (n = 77) did not receive vaccination because the vaccines were produced abroad.Conclusion A growing number of families refuse to have their babies vaccinated. The production of vaccines abroad is a major cause of insecurity. There are also beliefs that vaccines cause infertility. Vaccine production in Turkey should be accelerated and public education about vaccines should be reviewed. Training provided to families about vaccines should also be reviewed.

scholarly journals HPV Vaccination: The Position Paper of the Italian Society of Colposcopy and Cervico-Vaginal Pathology (SICPCV)

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Ciavattini ◽  
Luca Giannella ◽  
Rosa De Vincenzo ◽  
Jacopo Di Giuseppe ◽  
Maria Papiccio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Local Treatment ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Italian Society ◽  
World Health ◽  
Quadrivalent Vaccine ◽  
Protein Antigens ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Bivalent Vaccine ◽  
Health Organization

Human papillomavirus (HPV) related cervical cancer represents an issue of public health priority. The World Health Organization recommended the introduction of HPV vaccination in all national public programs. In Europe, vaccines against HPV have been available since 2006. In Italy, vaccination is recommended and has been freely offered to all young girls aged 11 years since 2008. Three prophylactic HPV vaccines are available against high- and low-risk genotypes. The quadrivalent vaccine contains protein antigens for HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18. The bivalent vaccine includes antigens for HPV 16 and 18. The nonavalent vaccine was introduced in 2014, and it targets HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. Clinical trials demonstrated the effectiveness of the three vaccines in healthy young women. Likewise, all vaccines showed an excellent safety profile. The bivalent vaccine provides two doses in subjects aged between 9 and 14 years and three doses in subjects over 14 years of age. The quadrivalent vaccine provides two doses in individuals from 9 to 13 years and three doses in individuals aged 14 years and over. The nonavalent vaccine schedule provides two doses in individuals from 9 to 14 years of age and three doses in individuals aged 15 years and over at the time of the first administration. Preliminary results suggest that the HPV vaccine is effective in the prevention of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions even after local treatment. Given these outcomes, in general, it is imperative to expand the vaccinated target population. Some interventions to improve the HPV vaccine’s uptake include patient reminders, physicians-focused interventions, school-based vaccinations programs, and social marketing strategies. The Italian Society of Colposcopy and Cervico-Vaginal Pathology (SICPCV) is committed to supporting vaccination programs for children and adolescents with a catch-up program for young adults. The SICPCV also helps clinical and information initiatives in developing countries to decrease the incidence of cervico-vaginal and vulvar pathology.

A Review of the Antituberculosis Campaign in Mexico

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-258
Author(s):  
Rafael Laniado Laborin ◽  
Craig A. Molgaard ◽  
John P. Elder
Keyword(s):  
Specific Treatment ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Immunization Programs ◽  
Tuberculosis Control ◽  
Marginal Groups ◽  
Health Association ◽  
Pan American ◽  
Health Organization

Tuberculosis, a major cause of death in the nineteenth century, has consistently and steadily declined in industrialized countries. Such decline antedates the introduction of specific treatment or immunization programs. In the United States of America, the tuberculosis problem is almost exclusively confined to ethnic minorities, socially marginal groups, and migratory workers. All the countries of Latin America have adopted the programs for tuberculosis control recommended by the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Association. The degree to which these programs are followed in Mexico is critically discussed. A number of suggestions are offered to improve a program that appears to be insufficient in terms of controlling this disease.

scholarly journals Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup W Meningitis Epidemic in Togo, 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 220 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. S216-S224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Mounkoro ◽  
Christelle S Nikiema ◽  
Issaka Maman ◽  
Souleymane Sakandé ◽  
Catherine H Bozio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Latex Agglutination ◽  
World Health ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
High Coverage ◽  
Meningitis Belt ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

Abstract Background During 2014, 4 regions in Togo within the African meningitis belt implemented vaccination campaigns with meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine (MACV). From January to July 2016, Togo experienced its first major Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (NmW) outbreak. We describe the epidemiology, response, and management of the outbreak. Methods Suspected, probable, and confirmed cases were identified using World Health Organization case definitions. Through case-based surveillance, epidemiologic and laboratory data were collected for each case. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, culture, or latex agglutination. Vaccination campaigns were conducted in affected districts. Results From January 11 to July 5, 2016, 1995 suspected meningitis cases were reported, with 128 deaths. Among them, 479 (24.0%) were confirmed by laboratory testing, and 94 (4.7%) and 1422 (71.3%) remained as probable and suspected cases, respectively. Seven epidemic districts had cumulative attack rates greater than 100 per 100 000 population. Of the confirmed cases, 91.5% were NmW; 39 of 40 available NmW isolates were sequence type-11/clonal complex-11. Conclusions This outbreak demonstrates that, although high coverage with MACV has reduced serogroup A outbreaks, large meningococcal meningitis outbreaks due to other serogroups may continue to occur; effective multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines could improve meningococcal disease prevention within meningitis belt populations.

scholarly journals Report of simultaneous measles outbreaks in two different health regions in Portugal, February to May 2017: lessons learnt and upcoming challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonçalo Figueiredo Augusto ◽  
Andreia Silva ◽  
Natália Pereira ◽  
Teresa Fernandes ◽  
Ana Leça ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Measles Virus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Population Immunity ◽  
First Case ◽  
Rapid Control ◽  
Measles Vaccination ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Measles Outbreaks

In Portugal, measles vaccination coverage and population immunity are high, and no endemic measles cases had been reported since 2004. The World Health Organization classified measles as eliminated in the country in 2015 and 2016, based on data from the previous 3 years. However, in a context of increasing incidence in several European countries in 2016 and 2017, Portugal experienced two simultaneous measles outbreaks with a total of 27 laboratory-confirmed cases (0.3 cases/100,000 population) in two health regions between February and May 2017. Nineteen cases (70.1%) were adults, of whom 12 were healthcare workers. Overall, 17 cases (63.0%) were not vaccinated, of whom five were infants younger than 12 months of age. One unvaccinated teenager died. Genotype B3 was identified in 14 cases from both regions. Measles virus sequencing identified different possible origins of the virus in each region affected. Although measles transmission was stopped in less than 2 months from the first case being notified, these outbreaks represent an opportunity to reinforce awareness of measles diagnosis. We highlight the intensity of the control measures taken and their impact on the rapid control of the outbreaks and also the fact that high vaccination coverage was crucial to stop transmission.

scholarly journals Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations on the Efficacy of Antibody Therapy and Response to Vaccines

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 914
Author(s):  
Ahmed Yaqinuddin ◽  
Areez Shafqat ◽  
Junaid Kashir ◽  
Khaled Alkattan
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Antibody Therapy ◽  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
World Health ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
The World ◽  
Feasible Option ◽  
Health Organization

SARS-CoV-2 causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, which has led to significant morbidity and mortality around the world. Since its emergence, extensive prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures have been employed to successfully prevent the spread of COVID-19. Extensive work has been undertaken on using monoclonal antibody therapies, mass vaccination programs, and antiviral drugs to prevent and treat COVID-19. However, since antiviral drugs could take years to become widely available, immunotherapy and vaccines currently appear to be the most feasible option. In December 2020, the first vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 was approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and, subsequently, many other vaccines were approved for use by different international regulators in different countries. Most monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and vaccines target the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike (S) protein. Recently, mutant (or variant) SARS-CoV-2 strains with increased infectivity and virulence that evade protective host antibodies present either due to infection, antibody therapy, or vaccine administration have emerged. In this manuscript, we discuss the different monoclonal antibody and vaccine therapies available against COVID-19 and how the efficacy of these therapies is affected by the emergence of variants of SARS-CoV-2. We also discuss strategies that might help society cope with variants that could neutralize the effects of immunotherapy and escape the protective immunity conferred by vaccines.

scholarly journals An Insight into the Role of Postmortem Immunohistochemistry in the Comprehension of the Inflammatory Pathophysiology of COVID-19 Disease and Vaccine-Related Thrombotic Adverse Events: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 12024
Author(s):  
Chiara Stassi ◽  
Cristina Mondello ◽  
Gennaro Baldino ◽  
Luigi Cardia ◽  
Alessio Asmundo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Diffuse Alveolar Damage ◽  
Multiorgan Failure ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
World Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
Insight Into

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic due to the spread of COVID-19 from Wuhan, China, causing high mortality rates all over the world. The related disease, which mainly affects the lungs, is responsible for the onset of Diffuse Alveolar Damage (DAD) and a hypercoagulability state, frequently leading to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and multiorgan failure, particularly in old and severe-critically ill patients. In order to find effective therapeutic strategies, many efforts have been made aiming to shed light on the pathophysiology of COVID-19 disease. Moreover, following the late advent of vaccination campaigns, the need for the comprehension of the pathophysiology of the fatal, although rare, thrombotic adverse events has become mandatory as well. The achievement of such purposes needs a multidisciplinary approach, depending on a correct interpretation of clinical, biochemical, biomolecular, and forensic findings. In this scenario, autopsies have helped in defining, on both gross and histologic examinations, the main changes to which the affected organs undergo and the role in assessing whether a patient is dead “from” or “with” COVID-19, not to mention whether the existence of a causal link exists between vaccination and thrombotic adverse events. In the present work, we explored the role of postmortem immunohistochemistry, and the increasingly used ancillary technique, in helping to understand the mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of both COVID-19 disease and COVID-19 vaccine-related adverse and rare effects.

scholarly journals Tuberculosis versus COVID-19 Mortality: A New Evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (T1) ◽  
pp. 179-183
Author(s):  
Hayder Al-Momen ◽  
Tareef Fadhil Raham ◽  
Aqil Mohammad Daher
Keyword(s):  
Immune Activation ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Bcg Vaccination ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Duration Of Protection

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus current pandemic (COVID-19) is the striking subject worldwide hitting countries in an unexplained non-universal pattern. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine was an adopted recent justification depending on its non-specific immune activation properties. Still the problem of post-vaccine short duration of protection needs to be solved. The same protective mechanism was identified in active or latent tuberculosis (TB). For each single patient of active TB, there are about nine cases of asymptomatic latent TB apparently normal individuals living within the community without restrictions carrying benefits of immune activation and involved in re-infection cycles in an excellent example of repeated immunity training sessions of the whole community. AIM: We aimed to asses the correlation between TB burden and COVID-19 mortality in all affected countries having different BCG vaccination policies. METHODS: Publicly available data were extracted for 191 countries including population size, TB estimations, national BCG vaccination policy, the World Health Organization regions and economic classification, and COVID-19 mortality and number of cases. The analysis was performed using Spearman’s correlation test. RESULTS: Significant large negative correlation (−0.539, p < 0.001) was found between TB prevalence and COVID-19 mortality rate worldwide. Medium negative significant correlations were found between TB cases and COVID-19 mortality in the high and lower middle-income countries, and those having current BCG vaccination programs (−0.395, p = 0.001, −0.365, p = 0.015, and −0.476, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Countries with high TB prevalence have higher chances of protection against COVID-19 mortality through the theory of widely distributed natural immune activation within community. Confounders should be assessed separately.

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