Immunization Strategies and Vaccine Uptake after the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2025 | Viewed by 9706

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Unit of Clinical Surgery, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43123 Parma, Italy
Interests: general surgery; obesity surgery; health promotion; public health; infectious diseases and vaccines

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic has severely impacted the daily practice of medical professionals all around the world, as a large share of Healthcare Workers has seen their daily activities either disrupted or shifted on settings directly related in the global efforts to contain the effect of the pandemic. Vaccination services have been severely impacted, not only during the early stages of the pandemic, but also in its aftermath, as the global campaign for the delivery of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has drained human and material resources from more “conventional” vaccine interventions. In the meantime, global attitudes towards vaccines and immunizations have been impacted by an unprecedented infodemic on infectious diseases and public health interventions. In such a setting, this Special Issue will provide an up-to-date appraisal of vaccination rates, vaccination acceptance (specifically focusing on positive and negative effectors), and innovative immunization strategies (including the introduction of monoclonal antibodies in the prevention of infectious diseases likewise RSV). Our aim is to share a broader point of view, specifically including all the professionals (e.g., Gynecologist and Obstetrics, Occupational Physicians, etc.) who are actively involved in vaccination campaigns in specific population groups. 

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: epidemiological studies, cross-sectional studies on drivers and barriers, ecological studies, prospective studies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Federico Marchesi
Dr. Matteo Riccò
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • attitudes
  • healthcare workers
  • immunizations
  • knowledge
  • practices
  • vaccines
  • drivers
  • barriers

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 409 KiB  
Article
Recovery of Routine Immunisation: Mapping External Financing Opportunities for Reaching Zero-Dose Children
by Sarah Tougher, Nikhil Mandalia and Ulla Kou Griffiths
Vaccines 2023, 11(7), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11071159 - 26 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1639
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated large declines in childhood vaccination coverage and, consequently, substantial increases in the number of zero-dose children. To effectively respond to these declines, it is necessary to direct resources for recovery. We mapped active external financing for immunisation and [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated large declines in childhood vaccination coverage and, consequently, substantial increases in the number of zero-dose children. To effectively respond to these declines, it is necessary to direct resources for recovery. We mapped active external financing for immunisation and primary healthcare in 20 countries with the highest numbers of zero-dose children to promote transparency and donor coordination. We found that countries have disparate access to external financing, with the two upper-middle-income countries (Brazil and Mexico) only having access to loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Domestic resource mobilization is, therefore, key in these two countries, although fiscal space is likely constrained. Four additional countries (Angola, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam) do not have allocations from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance for Health Systems Strengthening, or Equity Accelerator Funding, but are eligible for support under Gavi’s Middle-Income Countries Approach. Our methods, which focus on current donor financing, are novel and reveal substantial variations in access to external financing to support immunisation in high-burden countries. The available data differ considerably across financing mechanisms, making it difficult to synthesise the results across funding sources. Full article

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14 pages, 806 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Global Burden of Absenteeism Related to COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Among Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Marios Politis, Georgios Rachiotis, Varvara A. Mouchtouri and Christos Hadjichristodoulou
Vaccines 2024, 12(10), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12101196 - 19 Oct 2024
Viewed by 896
Abstract
Background: A rise in absenteeism among healthcare workers (HCWs) was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, evidence suggests that COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects may have also contributed to absenteeism during this period. This study aimed to synthesize the [...] Read more.
Background: A rise in absenteeism among healthcare workers (HCWs) was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, evidence suggests that COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects may have also contributed to absenteeism during this period. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the prevalence of absenteeism related to COVID-19 vaccine side effects among HCWs. Methods: The inclusion criteria for this review were original quantitative studies of any design, written in English, that addressed absenteeism related to the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines among HCWs. Four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the Web of Science) were searched for eligible articles on 7 June 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Narrative synthesis and a meta-analysis were used to synthesize the evidence. Results: Nineteen observational studies with 96,786 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of absenteeism related to COVID-19 vaccine side effects was 17% (95% CI: 13–20%), while 83% (95% CI: 80–87%) of the vaccination events did not lead in any absenteeism. Study design, sex, vaccination dose, region, and vaccine type were identified as significant sources of heterogeneity. Conclusions: A non-negligible proportion of HCWs were absent from work after reporting side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. Various demographic factors should be considered in future vaccination schedules for HCWs to potentially decrease the burden of absenteeism related to vaccine side effects. As most studies included self-reported questionnaire data, our results may be limited due to a recall bias. Other: The protocol of the study was preregistered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42024552517). Full article
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7 pages, 16715 KiB  
Case Report
Kaposi Sarcoma as a Possible Cutaneous Adverse Effect of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 Vaccine: A Case Report
by Yan-Han Li, Yu-Tzu Lin, Shu-Han Chuang and Hui-Ju Yang
Vaccines 2024, 12(10), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12101168 - 14 Oct 2024
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the rapid development of vaccines, including the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AstraZeneca) vaccine. While effective, adverse effects have been reported, including cutaneous manifestations. Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a vascular tumor linked to Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), has seen increased detection [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the rapid development of vaccines, including the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AstraZeneca) vaccine. While effective, adverse effects have been reported, including cutaneous manifestations. Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a vascular tumor linked to Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus/human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), has seen increased detection during the pandemic. This study reports a case of classic cutaneous KS in a 79-year-old male following the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine, without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient developed multiple reddish-blue papules on his legs and feet, confirmed as KS through histopathology. Treatment included radiotherapy and sequential chemotherapy with Doxorubicin. The potential reactivation of latent HHV-8 by the vaccine is explored through mechanisms involving the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and adenovirus vector, which may induce immune responses and inflammatory pathways. Although establishing a direct causal link remains challenging, the case highlights the need for vigilance regarding KS reactivation post-vaccination. Further large-scale studies are warranted to elucidate the relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and latent virus reactivation, ensuring comprehensive safety assessments and informed public health decisions. Full article
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31 pages, 8536 KiB  
Systematic Review
Impact of Nirsevimab Immunization on Pediatric Hospitalization Rates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2024)
by Matteo Riccò, Antonio Cascio, Silvia Corrado, Marco Bottazzoli, Federico Marchesi, Renata Gili, Pasquale Gianluca Giuri, Davide Gori and Paolo Manzoni
Vaccines 2024, 12(6), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12060640 - 8 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2851
Abstract
A systematic review with a meta-analysis was performed to gather available evidence on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody nirsevimab in the prevention of lower respiratory tract diseases (LRTDs) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children and newborns (CRD42024540669). Studies reporting on real-world [...] Read more.
A systematic review with a meta-analysis was performed to gather available evidence on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody nirsevimab in the prevention of lower respiratory tract diseases (LRTDs) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children and newborns (CRD42024540669). Studies reporting on real-world experience and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched for in three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) until 1 May 2024. Our analysis included five RCTs, seven real-world reports, and one official report from the health authorities. Due to the cross-reporting of RCTs and the inclusion of multiple series in a single study, the meta-analysis was performed on 45,238 infants from 19 series. The meta-analysis documented a pooled immunization efficacy of 88.40% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) from 84.70 to 91.21) on the occurrence of hospital admission due to RSV, with moderate heterogeneity (I2 24.3%, 95% CI 0.0 to 56.6). Immunization efficacy decreased with the overall length of the observation time (Spearman’s r = −0.546, p = 0.016), and the risk of breakthrough infections was substantially greater in studies with observation times ≥150 days compared to studies lasting <150 days (risk ratio 2.170, 95% CI 1.860 to 2.532). However, the effect of observation time in meta-regression analysis was conflicting (β = 0.001, 95% CI −0.001 to 0.002; p = 0.092). In conclusion, the delivery of nirsevimab was quite effective in preventing hospital admissions due to LRTDs. However, further analyses of the whole RSV season are required before tailoring specific public health interventions. Full article
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9 pages, 1221 KiB  
Perspective
A Practical Guide to Full Value of Vaccine Assessments
by Caroline Trotter, Birgitte Giersing, Ann Lindstrand, Naor Bar-Zeev, Tania Cernuschi, Lauren Franzel-Sassanpour, Martin Friede, Joachim Hombach, Maarten Jansen, Mateusz Hasso-Agopsowicz, Mitsuki Koh, So Yoon Sim, Dijana Spasenoska, Karene Hoi Ting Yeung and Philipp Lambach
Vaccines 2024, 12(2), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12020201 - 16 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2483
Abstract
Articulating the wide range of health, social and economic benefits that vaccines offer may help to overcome obstacles in the vaccine development pipeline. A framework to guide the assessment and communication of the value of a vaccine—the Full Value of Vaccine Assessment (FVVA)—has [...] Read more.
Articulating the wide range of health, social and economic benefits that vaccines offer may help to overcome obstacles in the vaccine development pipeline. A framework to guide the assessment and communication of the value of a vaccine—the Full Value of Vaccine Assessment (FVVA)—has been developed by the WHO. The FVVA framework offers a holistic assessment of the value of vaccines, providing a synthesis of evidence to inform the public health need of a vaccine, describing the supply and demand aspects, its market and its impact from a health, financial and economic perspective. This paper provides a practical guide to how FVVAs are developed and used to support investment in vaccines, ultimately leading to sustained implementation in countries. The FVVA includes a range of elements that can be broadly categorised as synthesis, vaccine development narrative and defining vaccine impact and value. Depending on the features of the disease/vaccine in question, different elements may be emphasised; however, a standardised set of elements is recommended for each FVVA. The FVVA should be developed by an expert group who represent a range of stakeholders, perspectives and geographies and ensure a fair, coherent and evidence-based assessment of vaccine value. Full article
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