scholarly journals The number of COVID-19 clusters in healthcare and elderly care facilities averted by vaccination of healthcare workers in Japan, February–June 2021

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 2762-2773
Author(s):  
Misaki Sasanami ◽  
◽  
Taishi Kayano ◽  
Hiroshi Nishiura

<abstract> <p>In Japan, a prioritized COVID-19 vaccination program using Pfizer/BioNTech messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine among healthcare workers commenced on February 17, 2021. As vaccination coverage increases, clusters in healthcare and elderly care facilities including hospitals and nursing homes are expected to be reduced. The present study aimed to explicitly estimate the protective effect of vaccination in reducing cluster incidence in those facilities. A mathematical model was formulated using three pieces of information: (1) the incidence of clusters in facilities from October 26, 2020 to June 27, 2021; (2) the incidence of confirmed COVID-19 cases during the same period; and (3) vaccine doses among healthcare workers from February 17 to June 27, 2021, extracted from the national Vaccination System database. We found that the estimated proportion at risk in healthcare and elderly care facilities declined substantially as the vaccination coverage among healthcare workers increased; the greater risk reduction was observed in healthcare facilities, at 0.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04–0.16) times that in the pre-vaccination period, while that in elderly care facilities was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.24–0.43) times that in the earlier period. The averted numbers of clusters in healthcare facilities and elderly care facilities were estimated to be 247 (95% CI: 210–301) and 279 (95% CI: 218–354), respectively. Prioritized vaccination among healthcare workers had a marked impact on preventing the incidence of clusters in facilities.</p> </abstract>

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Bechini ◽  
Chiara Lorini ◽  
Patrizio Zanobini ◽  
Francesco Mandò Tacconi ◽  
Sara Boccalini ◽  
...  

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) can represent a source of influenza infection for the elderly. While flu vaccination coverage (VC) is satisfactory in the elderly, HCWs are less likely to be vaccinated. There is no definitive evidence on which types of healthcare system-based interventions at LTCFs would be more useful in improving the vaccination uptake among HCWs. We performed a systematic review in different databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Health Evidence, Web of Science, Cinahl) to provide a synthesis of the available studies on this topic. Among the 1177 articles screened by their titles and abstracts, 27 were included in this review. Most of the studies reported multiple interventions addressed to improve access to vaccination, eliminate individual barriers, or introduce policy interventions. As expected, mandatory vaccinations seem to be the most useful intervention to increase the vaccination uptake in HCWs. However, our study suggests that better results in the vaccination uptake in HCWs were obtained by combining interventions in different areas. Educational campaigns alone could not have an impact on vaccination coverage. LTCFs represent an ideal setting to perform preventive multi-approach interventions for the epidemiological transition toward aging and chronicity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Rivolta ◽  
M Letzgus ◽  
F De Nard ◽  
M Gaiazzi ◽  
N Principi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Adequate vaccination coverage among healthcare workers, including students in healthcare professions (SHPs), is crucial in order to prevent spreading of infections within healthcare facilities. However, vaccination coverage among SHPs is often inadequate. We aimed to describe the vaccination/immunization status of SHPs of the University of Milan. Methods We spread an e-survey to the academic e-mail addresses of postgraduate medical residents and to first- and last-year undergraduate SHPs. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic data (age, sex, education, municipality of residence, internship in high-risk wards) and the reported vaccination/immunization status for Influenza (previous flu season), Varicella, MPR and DTaP vaccines. Results Among 5743 invited SHPs, 884 participated in the survey. The study sample comprised 462 medical residents and 422 undergraduate SHPs (medicine 176, nursery 186, midwifery 4, healthcare assistance 32, prevention techniques 24). Median age was 27 years (IQR 7); 68.4% participants were female; 91.3% had attended high school in a lyceum, while others in a professional (2.9%) or technical (5.8%) institute; 36.7% lived in municipalities of &lt; 20.000 inhabitants, while 26.1% of &gt; 250.000. Traineeships took place in high-risk wards for 46% of participants. Reported vaccination coverage for Influenza was 33,7% (with higher coverage for pediatric nursing and midwifery students, medicine students and medical residents). Participants reported immunity (either vaccine or natural immunity) to Varicella in 93,3% cases. Declared vaccination coverage for Hepatitis B was 94,1%; 91,7% participants reportedly completed the MPR schedule, 76,2% the recommended DTaP booster. Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage was suboptimal in our sample of SHPs, suggesting the need of specific educational programs and targeted vaccination campaigns, which may help shaping a positive vaccination attitude for future healthcare professionals. Key messages Immunization status for VPDs is suboptimal among Italian students in healthcare professions. The monitoring of the immunization status should include healthcare students actively involved in healthcare activities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Rosemary Joyce Burnett ◽  
Angela Dramowski ◽  
Edina Amponsah-Dacosta ◽  
Johanna Catharina Meyer

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. e004360
Author(s):  
Dumisani MacDonald Hompashe ◽  
Ulf-G Gerdtham ◽  
Carmen S Christian ◽  
Anja Smith ◽  
Ronelle Burger

Introduction Universal Health Coverage is not only about access to health services but also about access to high-quality care, since poor experiences may deter patients from accessing care. Evidence shows that quality of care drives health outcomes, yet little is known about non-clinical dimensions of care, and patients’ experience thereof relative to satisfaction with visits. This paper investigates the role of non-clinical dimensions of care in patient satisfaction. Methods Our study describes the interactions of informed and non-informed patients with primary healthcare workers at 39 public healthcare facilities in two metropolitan centres in two South African provinces. Our analysis included 1357 interactions using standardised patients (for informed patients) and patients’ exit interviews (for non-informed patients). The data were combined for three types of visits: contraception, hypertension and tuberculosis. We describe how satisfaction with care was related to patients’ experiences of non-clinical dimensions. Results We show that when real patients (RPs) reported being satisfied (vs dissatisfied) with a visit, it was associated with a 30% increase in the probability that a patient is greeted at the facilities. Likewise, when the RPs reported being satisfied (vs dissatisfied) with the visit, it was correlated with a 15% increase in the prospect that patients are pleased with healthcare workers’ explanations of health conditions. Conclusion Informed patients are better equipped to assess health-systems responsiveness in healthcare provision. Insights into responsiveness could guide broader efforts aimed at targeted education and empowerment of primary healthcare users to strengthen health systems and shape expectations for appropriate care and conduct.


Author(s):  
Caterina De Sarro ◽  
Rosa Papadopoli ◽  
Vincenza Cautela ◽  
Carmelo Giuseppe Angelo Nobile ◽  
Claudia Pileggi ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phithakdet Phoo-ngurn ◽  
Chanakarn Kiataramkul ◽  
Farida Chamchod

Abstract Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an important swine disease that affects many swine industries worldwide. The disease can cause reproductive failure and respiratory problems in a swine population. As vaccination is an important tool to control the spread of PRRS virus (PRRSV), we employ a mathematical model to investigate the transmission dynamics of PRRSV and the effects of immunity information, as well as vaccination control strategies. We also explore optimal vaccination coverage and vaccination rate to minimize the number of infected swines and vaccination efforts. Our results suggest that: (i) higher vaccination coverage and vaccination rate together with prior knowledge about immunity may help reduce the prevalence of PRRSV, and (ii) longer maximum vaccination efforts are required when swines stay longer in a population and it takes them longer time to recover from PRRS infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110343
Author(s):  
Bedru Jemal ◽  
Zemedu Aweke ◽  
Simeneh Mola ◽  
Sileshi Hailu ◽  
Sileshi Abiy ◽  
...  

Background: An emerging respiratory disease abbreviated as coronavirus disease 2019 was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan city of China. The virus is zoonotic and tends to be transmitted between animals to humans and humans to humans. The major route of transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 is droplet and close contact. The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has initiated training for health care workers at a different level. Thus, the main objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health workers in Ethiopia toward coronavirus disease 2019 and its prevention techniques. Method: An institution-based multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in each of eight teaching and referral hospitals. A total of 422 Ethiopian healthcare workers were selected for the assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward coronavirus disease 2019. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the attitude and knowledge of healthcare workers toward coronavirus disease 2019 at a significance level of p < 0.05. Result: Three hundred ninety-seven healthcare workers participated in the study, with a response rate of 94%. Among these, 88.2% and 94.7% of respondents had good knowledge and positive attitudes, respectively. A respondent with a history of chronic medical illness (odds ratio: 0.193, 95% confidence interval: 0.063–0.593), social media, telecommunication, and television/radio as a source of information were significantly associated with knowledge (odds ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–7.4, OR: 4.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–14.3 and odds ratio: 3.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–7.2). In addition, respondents with a history of chronic medical illness were significantly associated with a negative attitude toward coronavirus disease 2019. Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude were good while; the practice was relatively low. Sources of information such as social media, telecommunication, and television/radio were positively associated with healthcare workers' knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019.


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