Healthcare Staff Perceptions Following Inoculation with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust

Background: COVID-19 vaccination programmes offer hope for a potential end to the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. We present perceptions following from a cohort of healthcare staff at the UK NHS hospital, which first initiated the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 (“Pfizer”) vaccination program. Methods: A paper-based survey regarding perceptions on the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was distributed to all healthcare workers at the University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust following receipt of the first vaccine dose. Results: 535 healthcare workers completed the survey, with a 40.9% response rate. Staff felt privileged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Staff reported that they had minimised contact with patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Reported changes to activity following vaccination both at work and outside work were guarded. Statistically significant differences were noted between information sources used by staff groups and between groups of different ethnic backgrounds to inform decisions to receive vaccination. Conclusions: NHS staff felt privileged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and felt that their actions would promote uptake in the wider population. Concerns regarding risks and side effects existed, but were minimal. This research can be used to help inform strategies driving wider vaccine uptake amongst healthcare staff and the public.

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No cases of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare staff in a city under lockdown restrictions: lessons to inform ‘Operation Moonshot’

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdaa237 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher A Martin ◽

David R Jenkins ◽

Prashanth Patel ◽

Charles Goss ◽

Arthur Price ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Asian ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Asymptomatic Infection ◽

Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽

Healthcare Staff ◽

Demographic Information ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Voluntary Testing ◽

Community Transmission ◽

The Uk

ABSTRACT Background Leicester was the first city in the UK to have ‘local lockdown’ measures imposed in response to high community rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. As part of this response, a directive was issued by NHS England to offer testing of asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Between 20 July and 14 August 2020, we invited all HCWs at UHL to attend for SARS-CoV-2 testing by nucleic acid amplification (NAAT). We combined the result of this assay with demographic information from the electronic staff record. Results A total of 1150 staff (~8% of the workforce) volunteered. The median age was 46 years (IQR 34–55), 972 (84.5%) were female; 234 (20.4%) were of South Asian and 58 (5.0%) of Black ethnicity; 564 (49.0%) were nurses/healthcare assistants. We found no cases of asymptomatic infection. In comparison, average community test positivity rate in Leicester city was 2.6%. Conclusions Within the context of local lockdowns due to high community transmission rates, voluntary testing of asymptomatic staff has low uptake and low yield and thus its premise and cost-effectiveness should be re-considered.

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Adenovirus and RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines’ perceptions and acceptance among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia: a national survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048586 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e048586

Author(s):

Mohamad-Hani Temsah ◽

Mazin Barry ◽

Fadi Aljamaan ◽

Abdullah Alhuzaimi ◽

Ayman Al-Eyadhy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Vectored Vaccine ◽

To Receive

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the perception, confidence, hesitancy and acceptance rate of various COVID-19 vaccine types among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, a nation with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus experience.DesignNational cross-sectional, pilot-validated questionnaire.SettingOnline, self-administered questionnaire among HCWs.ParticipantsA total of 2007 HCWs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated; 1512 (75.3%) participants completed the survey and were included in the analysis.InterventionData were collected through an online survey sent to HCWs during 1–15 November 2020. The main outcome measure was HCW acceptance of COVID-19 candidate vaccines. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and via measurement of the level of anxiety, using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 scale.ResultsAmong the 1512 HCWs who were included, 62.4% were women, 70.3% were between 21 and 40 years of age, and the majority (62.2%) were from tertiary hospitals. In addition, 59.5% reported knowing about at least one vaccine; 24.4% of the participants were sure about their willingness to receive the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, and 20.9% were willing to receive the RNA BNT162b2 vaccine. However, 18.3% reported that they would refuse to receive the Ad5-vectored vaccine, and 17.9% would refuse the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine. Factors that influenced the differential readiness of HCWs included their perceptions of the vaccine’s efficiency in preventing the infection (33%), their personal preferences (29%) and the vaccine’s manufacturing country (28.6%).ConclusionsAwareness by HCWs of the several COVID-19 candidate vaccines could improve their perceptions and acceptance of vaccination. Reliable sources on vaccine efficiency could improve vaccine uptake, so healthcare authorities should use reliable information to decrease vaccine hesitancy among frontline healthcare providers.

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Joan Mary Anderson 1932–2015

Historical Records of Australian Science ◽

10.1071/hr18017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 19

Author(s):

Peter Horton ◽

Wah Soon Chow ◽

Christopher Barrett

Keyword(s):

Thylakoid Membranes ◽

Dynamic Changes ◽

The Public ◽

Research Organisation ◽

Lifetime Achievement ◽

National University ◽

Jan Anderson ◽

The Uk ◽

The University ◽

Molecular Organisation

Joan Mary (Jan) Anderson pioneered the investigation of the molecular organisation of the plant thylakoid membrane, making seminal discoveries that laid the foundations for the current understanding of photosynthesis. She grew up in Queenstown, New Zealand, obtaining a BSc and MSc at the University of Otago in Dunedin. After completing her PhD at the University of California, she embarked on a glittering career at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and then Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. Not only a gifted experimentalist, Jan was a creative thinker, not afraid to put her insightful and prophetic hypotheses into the public domain. Her many notable achievements include establishing the details and the physiological significance of lateral heterogeneity in the distribution of the two photosystems between stacked and unstacked thylakoid membranes and the dynamic changes in the extent of stacking that occur in response to changes in the light environment. Her investigations brought her into collaboration with prominent researchers throughout the world. Recognised with many honours as a leading scientist in Australia, international recognition included Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Photosynthesis Research, and Honorary Fellowships at Universities in the UK and USA.

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Effect of a hospital-wide campaign on COVID-19 vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in the context of raised concerns for life-threatening side effects

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0258236 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. e0258236

Author(s):

Min Hyung Kim ◽

Nak-Hoon Son ◽

Yoon Soo Park ◽

Ju Hyun Lee ◽

Da Ae Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Intervention Strategy ◽

National Policy ◽

Vaccine Dose ◽

Vaccination Uptake ◽

Severance Hospital ◽

Life Threatening ◽

To Receive

Background All healthcare workers (HCWs) in Yongin Severance Hospital were allocated to receive the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine according to national policy. A report of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) associated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 led to hesitancy about receiving the second dose among HCWs who had received the first dose. Methods From 7 to 14 May, 2021, we performed a survey to identify the factors associated with hesitancy about receiving the second vaccine dose among HCWs at the hospital who had received the first dose of the vaccine. Based on survey results, a hospital-wide campaign was implemented on 18 May 2021 to improve vaccine coverage. HCWs who completed the second dose completed a self-administered questionnaire to evaluate the effect of the campaign. Findings Of 1,171 HCWs who had received the first dose of the vaccine, 71.5% completed the online survey, of whom 3.7% refused to take the second dose and 22.3% showed hesitancy. Hesitancy to receive a second dose was significantly associated with age under 30 years and concerns about TTS, and was less common among those who trusted effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. Among HCWs who received the first dose, 96.2% completed vaccination with the second dose between 27 May and 4 June, 2021. Of those who answered the questionnaire asked about the timing of their decision to receive the second dose, 57.1% reported that they were motivated by the hospital-wide campaign. Conclusion A tailored intervention strategy based on a survey can improve COVID-19 vaccination uptake among HCWs.

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Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccine uptake in a national cohort of U.S. adults

10.1101/2021.05.12.21257116 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Madhura S Rane ◽

Shivani Kochhar ◽

Emily Poehlein ◽

William You ◽

McKaylee Robertson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Lower Odds ◽

The Public ◽

National Longitudinal Study ◽

Public Health Threat ◽

National Cohort ◽

The U.S

Background Vaccine hesitancy in the U.S. may limit the potential to alleviate the public health threat caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We estimated trends in and correlates of vaccine hesitancy, and its association with subsequent vaccine uptake among 5,085 United States adults from the CHASING COVID Cohort study, a national longitudinal study. Trends in willingness to vaccinate were examined longitudinally in three rounds of interviews from September to December 2020. We assessed correlates of willingness to vaccinate in December 2020. We also estimated the association between willingness to vaccinate in December 2020 and subsequent vaccine uptake in February 2021. Results Vaccine hesitancy and resistance decreased from 51% and 8% in September 2020 to 35% and 5% in December 2020, respectively. Compared to Non-Hispanic (NH) White participants, NH Black and Hispanic participants had higher adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for both vaccine hesitancy (aOR: 3.3 [95% CI: 2.6, 4.2] for NH Black and 1.8 [95% CI: 1.5, 2.2] for Hispanic) and vaccine resistance (aOR: 6.4 [95% CI: 4.3, 9.4] for NH Black and 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3, 2.7] for Hispanic). Willingness to vaccinate was associated with lower odds of vaccine uptake among 65+ year olds (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3, 0.6 for hesitancy; aOR: 0.1, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.6 for resistance) and healthcare workers (aOR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.3 for hesitancy; aOR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.006, 0.2 for resistance). Conclusions Awareness and distribution efforts should focus on vaccine hesitant vulnerable populations.

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Citizens' Views on Sharing Their Health Data: the Role of Competence, Reliability and Pursuing the Common Good.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-83211/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Minerva C Rivas Velarde ◽

Petros Tsantoulis ◽

Claudine Burton-Jeangros ◽

Monica Aceti Aceti ◽

Pierre Chappuis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Common Good ◽

Personal Data ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Genetic Sequencing ◽

The Public ◽

Research Participants ◽

Quantitative Results ◽

Potential Risks ◽

The University ◽

And Control

Abstract BackgroundIn this article, we raise several questions regarding how people consider what they do or do not consent to and the reasons why. This article presents the findings of a citizen forum study conducted for the University of Geneva in partnership with the Geneva University Hospitals to explore the opinions and concerns of members of the public society regarding predictive oncology, genetic sequencing, and cancer. MethodsThis paper present the results of a citizen forum that included 73 participants. A research tool titled "the mechanics of consent" was design for this study. This tool is table designed to allow participants to reflect on social and research actors, types of data, and desired levels of control while sharing different types of data with different actors. Participants’ discussion that led to the completion of each table were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The results are a compilation of responses from the mechanics of consent tool divided into two sections; the first quantitative results presenting of collective responses regarding attitudes to consent to donate their data by qualitative findings emerged from the discussion amongst participants. Discussion Choice and control of personal data is crucial for the public to be able to decide who and how to trust. Key information to be disclosed to potential research participants shall include information about potential risks and benefits; who will be accessing and using their data; as well as assurances that their choice will be respected. Furthermore, researchers ought to make sure they are trustworthy, meaning they are responsible to accept or refuse trust when it is misplaced or built upon unrealistic expectations. Finally, informed consent is one of the various elements that contribute to conducting ethical research, more needs to be done to strengthen governance and ensure adequate protection to research participants particularly to address issues related to predictive health analytics.

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Estimating Vaccine Confidence Levels among Healthcare Staff and Students of a Tertiary Institution in South Africa

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9111246 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1246

Author(s):

Elizabeth O. Oduwole ◽

Tonya M. Esterhuizen ◽

Hassan Mahomed ◽

Charles S. Wiysonge

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Healthcare Staff ◽

Tertiary Institution ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Confidence Levels ◽

Binomial Regression ◽

Vaccine Confidence ◽

To Receive

Healthcare workers were the first group scheduled to receive COVID-19 vaccines when they became available in South Africa. Therefore, estimating vaccine confidence levels and intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers ahead of the national vaccination roll-out was imperative. We conducted an online survey from 4 February to 7 March 2021, to assess vaccine sentiments and COVID-19 vaccine intentions among healthcare staff and students at a tertiary institution in South Africa. We enrolled 1015 participants (74.7% female). Among the participants, 89.5% (confidence interval (CI) 87.2–91.4) were willing to accept a COVID-19 vaccine, 95.4% (CI 93.9–96.6) agreed that vaccines are important for them, 95.4% (CI 93.8–96.6) that vaccines are safe, 97.4% (CI 96.2–98.3) that vaccines are effective, and 96.1% (CI 94.6–97.2) that vaccines are compatible with religion. Log binomial regression revealed statistically significant positive associations between COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and the belief that vaccines are safe (relative risk (RR) 32.2, CI 4.67–221.89), effective (RR 21.4, CI 3.16–145.82), important for children (RR 3.5, CI 1.78–6.99), important for self (RR 18.5, CI 4.78–71.12), or compatible with religion (RR 2.2, CI 1.46–3.78). The vaccine confidence levels of the study respondents were highly positive. Nevertheless, this could be further enhanced by targeted interventions.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Healthcare Workers in a United States Medical Center

10.1101/2021.04.29.21256186 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Michelle H. Moniz ◽

Courtney Townsel ◽

Abram L. Wagner ◽

Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher ◽

Sarah Hawley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Models ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Occupational Characteristics ◽

To Receive

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prioritized healthcare personnel for the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination in the United States to keep critical healthcare infrastructure open and functioning, but vaccine hesitancy may limit vaccine uptake.ObjectiveTo evaluate vaccine intentions among healthcare workers eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and explore differences by sociodemographic and occupational characteristics.DesignFrom February 1-15, 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional, opt-in online survey at a Midwest U.S. academic healthcare center that began vaccinating employees in December 2020.ParticipantsThe entire employee workforce of the study site was eligible.Main MeasuresCOVID-19 vaccination intention, categorized as Received/Scheduled/ASAP, Not Now, and Not Ever. Logistic regression models to assess the relationship between demographic and occupational characteristics and intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination.Key ResultsMost participants (n=11,387, of 39,259 individual and group email accounts invited) had received or were scheduled to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (n=9081, 79.8%) or planned to receive it as soon as possible (n=546, 4.8%), while fewer were hesitant (Not Now, n=954, 8.4%; Not Ever, n=369, 3.2%). In multivariable logistic regression models predicting vaccine intention, physicians (aOR 22.2, 9.1-54.3), trainees (aOR 5.9, 3.0-11.4), and nurse practitioners/nurse midwives/physician assistants (aOR 1.9, 1.2-3.0) were significantly more likely to demonstrate vaccine acceptance, compared to nurses, whereas other clinical staff were significantly less likely (aOR 0.8, 0.6-0.9). Prior infection with COVID-19, gender, race/ethnicity, and age were all significantly associated with vaccine intention. Overall, 29.6% reported at least one concern about COVID-19 vaccination.ConclusionsIn a large, diverse sample of healthcare workers, over 11% delayed COVID-19 vaccination when it was available to them, with notable variation in vaccine hesitancy across professional roles and demographic groups. Our findings suggest immediate opportunities to empathetically engage those with COVID-19 vaccine concerns and optimize vaccine coverage across our healthcare system.

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An analysis of lithium requesting across three hospital trusts in the UK: many people are managed with lithium levels below the current nice guidance lower limit

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjo.2021.131 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (S1) ◽

pp. S29-S29

Author(s):

Adrian Heald ◽

Ceri Parfitt ◽

Chris Duff ◽

Jonathan Scargill ◽

Lewis Green ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lithium Concentration ◽

Models Of Care ◽

Health Condition ◽

Monthly Interval ◽

Therapeutic Window ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Acute Hospitals ◽

Nice Guidance ◽

The Uk ◽

The University

AimsThis study examined lithium results and requesting patterns over a 6-year period, and compared these to guidance.BackgroundBipolar disorder is the 4th most common mental health condition, affecting ~1% of UK adults. Lithium is an effective treatment for prevention of relapse and hospital admission, and is recommended by NICE as a first-line treatment.We have previously shown in other areas that laboratory testing patterns are highly variable with sub-optimal conformity to guidance.MethodLithium requests received by Clinical Biochemistry Departments at the University Hospitals of North Midlands, Salford Royal Foundation Trust and Pennine Acute Hospitals from 2012–2018 were extracted from Laboratory Information and Management Systems (46,555 requests; 3,371 individuals). We categorised by request source, lithium concentration and re-test intervals.ResultMany lithium results were outside the NICE therapeutic window (0.6–0.99mmol/L); 49.3% were below the window and 6.1% were above the window (median [Li]:0.61mmol/L). A small percentage were found at the extremes (3.2% at <0.1mmol/L, 1.0% at >1.4mmol/L). Findings were comparable across all sites.For requesting interval, there was a distinct peak at 12 weeks, consistent with guidance for those stabilised on lithium therapy. There was no peak evident at 6 months, as recommended for those <65 years old on unchanging therapy. There was a peak at 0–7 days, reflecting those requiring closer monitoring (e.g. treatment initiation or results suggesting toxicity).However, 77.6% of tests were requested outside expected testing frequencies.ConclusionWe showed: (a) lithium levels are often maintained at the lower end of the NICE recommended therapeutic range (and the BNF range: 0.4-1.0mmol/L); (b) patterns of lithium results and testing frequency are comparable across three sites with differing models of care; (c) re-test intervals demonstrate a noticeable peak at the recommended 3-monthly interval, but not at 6-monthly intervals; (d) Many tests were repeated outside these expected frequencies (contrary to NICE guidance).

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Oncofertility: a grand collaboration between reproductive medicine and oncology

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep-15-0163 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 150 (3) ◽

pp. S1-S10 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Teresa K Woodruff

Keyword(s):

Fertility Preservation ◽

Global Scale ◽

Concerted Effort ◽

The Public ◽

University Of Calgary ◽

The World ◽

Cancer Setting ◽

Reproductive Science ◽

The Uk ◽

The University

In 2007, I was asked by the University of Calgary to participate in a symposium called ‘Pushing the Boundaries – Advances that Will Change the World in 20 Years’. My topic was oncofertility, a word I had just coined to describe the intersection of two disciplines – oncology and fertility – and I was thrilled to share my passion for this new field and help young women with cancer protect their future reproductive health. Fertility preservation in the cancer setting lacked a concerted effort to bridge the disciplines in an organized manner. In early 2015, I was delighted to deliver a presentation for the Society for Reproduction and Fertility titled ‘Sex in Three Cities’, where I gave an update on the oncofertility movement, a remarkable cross-disciplinary, global collaboration created to address the fertility preservation needs of young cancer patients. During my tour of the UK, I was impressed by the interest among the society and its members to engage colleagues outside the discipline as well as the public in a dialogue about cutting-edge reproductive science. In this invited review, I will describe the work of the Oncofertility Consortium to provide fertility preservation options in the cancer setting and accelerate the acceptance of this critical topic on a global scale. I hope that one day this word and field it created will change the world for women who had been left out of the equation for far too long.

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