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Introduction: In Argentina, a pentavalent whole-cell pertussis vaccine (wP) is used in the National Immunization Program, however hexavalent acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines are available in the private market. Objective: To describe parent or guardians perceptions on reactogenicity, daily routine and satisfaction after a first or third dose of a wP-pentavalent plus IPV (wP-group) or the fully-liquid aP-hexavalent vaccine (aP-group) in infants. Material and methods: This was a prospective observational and analytical study. Parents or guardians of infants born at term attending a public or private vaccination center in Buenos Aires City were invited to participate. All parents or guardians had completed 12-year schooling and were asked to fill out an online 7-day post vaccination questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated as the first phase of the study. Descriptive analysis of study variables was carried out, REDCap was used for the online survey, and STATA 14 for data analysis. Results: 1071 parents or guardians answered the questionnaire (response rate 82%), 530 for wP-group and 541 for aP-group.Local and systemic adverse reactions, in groups wP and aP respectively, were: pain 83%, 28%; swelling 63%, 16%; redness 52%, 22%; irritability 72%, 52%; fever 37%, 8%; loss of appetite 36%, 19%; drowsiness 38%, 27%; and vomiting 15%, 11%.Impact on daily life: social activities 36%, 20%; routine 48%, 24%; mood 39%, 23%; vitality 47%, 24%; sleep 50%, 30%; and appetite 22%, 7%.Parents were satisfied with the vaccination process in 96% and 98% for wP-group and aP-group respectively. Parents reported willingness to bring infant for future vaccine doses in 97% and 99% for wP-group and aP-group respectively. Conclusions: Reported reactogenicity and impact on family daily routine was higher in infants receiving wP-pentavalent than aP-hexavalent vaccines. Parents in both groups conveyed vaccine acceptance and positive intentions for future immunizations.
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BACKGROUND: Initially, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on children was unknown. Standard COVID-19 diagnosis is confirmed using real-time qPCR. Cycle threshold (Ct) values of RT-qPCR are inversely proportional to viral load and the test indirectly quantifies viral RNA copy numbers. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between epidemiology, clinical characteristics, severity of confirmed COVID-19 cases, and Ct values. METHODS: An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. All children with COVID-19 under 18 years old admitted to the Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospital between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, were included. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed using RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 7 years. Ct values were estimated in 419 cases, median Ct value was 23.5 [interquartile range (IQR): 18.9-30.9]. Levels were significantly lower in symptomatic than asymptomatic patients (Ct: 22.1; IQR: 18.4-22.1), in children <2 years of age (Ct: 20.6; IQR: 17.3-27.3) and when sample collection was <4 days after symptom onset (Ct: 21.1; IQR: 18.1-27.5). In children >2 years of age, Ct values were significantly lower in symptomatic (Ct: 22.6; IQR: 18.7-29.3) than asymptomatic (Ct: 31.2; IQR: 24.5-33.3) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Children younger than 2 years with COVID-19 have lower values of Ct-as a proxy for higher viral load-than older children. Symptomatic children over 2 years of age had lower Ct values compared with asymptomatic children.