A systematic review and meta-analysis of herpes zoster occurrence/recurrence after COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

To inform surveillance, prevention, and management strategies for the varicella zoster virus (VZV) during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to evaluate the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) occurrence/recurrence following COVID-19 infection and vaccination. A comprehensive search across seven databases was conducted up to January 31, 2024, to identify studies relevant to the occurrence of HZ following COVID-19 infection and vaccination. The meta-analysis included five studies on postinfection HZ and 13 studies on postvaccination HZ. Patients infected with COVID-19 had a 2.16-fold increased risk of HZ (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-3.76) than uninfected individuals. However, there was no significant association between COVID-19 vaccination and the risk of HZ compared to controls, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.08 (95% CI: 0.84-1.39). Furthermore, a descriptive analysis of 74 postinfection and 153 postvaccination HZ studies found no significant differences on gender or age (<50 and ≥50 years) following COVID-19 infection. Notably, 44.0% of the HZ cases postinfection appeared within the first week, with 69.5% resolving within 10 days, predominantly presenting as skin lesions. In the postvaccination group, the majority (60.1%) developed HZ after the first dose and 66.7% occurred within 1 week. Moreover, 44.6% resolved within 10 days and 50.0% within a month, primarily exhibiting skin lesions and postherpetic neuralgia. The study found that COVID-19 infection increases the risk of HZ, but the COVID-19 vaccine does not. Further study is needed to explore the association between COVID-19 and HZ.

Complex interplay of science reasoning and vaccine hesitancy among parents in Shanghai, China.

The psychosocial underpinnings of vaccine hesitancy are complex. Research is needed to pinpoint the exact reasons why people hesitate to vaccinate themselves or their children against vaccine-preventable diseases. One possible reason are concerns that arise from a misunderstanding of vaccine science. We examined the impact of scientific reasoning on vaccine hesitancy and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination intent through a cross-sectional study of parents of vaccine-eligible children (N = 399) at immunization clinics in Shanghai, China. We assessed the relationship between science reasoning and both vaccine hesitancy and HPV vaccine acceptance using general additive models. We found a significant association between scientific reasoning and education level, with those with less than a high school education having a significantly lower scientific reasoning that those with a college education (ß = -1.31, p-value = 0.002). However, there was little evidence of a relationship between scientific reasoning and vaccine hesitancy. Scientific reasoning therefore appears not to exert primary influence on the formation of vaccine attitudes among the respondents surveyed. We suggest that research on vaccine hesitancy continues working to identify the styles of reasoning parents engage in when determining whether or not to vaccinate their children. This research could inform the development and implementation of tailored vaccination campaigns.

Trends in childhood vaccination in Pakistan and associated factors; 2006-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Pakistan still has ongoing transmission of wild type polio virus. This study aims to determine changes in full vaccination with recommended Expanded Program on Immunization vaccines, including polio, by several socio-economic and demographic factors. METHODS: We used three waves of Pakistan's Demographic and Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional study from 2006-07 (N = 1471), 2012-13 (N = 1706), and 2017-18 (N = 1549), analyzed by residence, wealth, and sociodemographic factors. Analysis was limited to children aged 12-23 months in Punjab, Sindh, Northwest Frontier Province/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Full vaccination was measured as receipt of one Bacillus Calmette-Guérin dose, one measles dose, 3 polio doses, and 3 Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis doses. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) from logistic regression were used to determine associations between undervaccination and demographic variables. RESULTS: Full vaccination coverage was 50.6 % in 2006-07, 54.7 % in 2012-13, and 68.3 % in 2017-18. In 2006-07, the odds of undervaccination were significantly higher in Sindh (OR: 1.74, 95 % CI: 1.30, 2.31) than Punjab, and disparities across province changed over time (P < 0.0001); notably, undervaccination was significantly higher in Sindh, KPK, and Balochistan than Punjab in 2017. Compared to the middle wealth quintile, the poorest had significantly higher odds of undervaccination in 2006-07 (OR: 2.58, 95 % CI: 1.76, 3.78), and this did not significantly change over time (P = 0.2168). The proportion of those with a polio birth dose increased across waves from 56.3 % in 2006-07 to 83.7 % in 2017-18; receiving three or more polio vaccine doses remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the proportion of fully vaccinated children in Pakistan increased across three waves. Full vaccination and administration of polio vaccine birth doses have increased recently in Pakistan. The association between undervaccination with province differed significantly across the waves, with vaccination disparities between provinces increasing. Those in the poorest wealth quintile had the greatest odds of undervaccination.

Parental vaccine hesitancy and acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine: An internet-based survey in the US and five Asian countries.

COVID-19 vaccination rates for children globally are relatively low. This study aimed to investigate parental vaccine hesitancy and parents' acceptance of a COVID-19 for their children for their children in the United States, China, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.We analyzed data from an opt-in, internet-based cross-sectional study (n = 23,940). Parents were asked about their acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine for their children, and if they would accept the vaccine with different risk and effectiveness profiles for themselves. Poisson regression was used to generate prevalence ratios (PR) of the relationship between vaccine acceptance for a child and vaccine profile, by country and waves and overall. Between August 2020 and June 2021, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance for children decreased in the United States (89% to 72%) and Taiwan (79% to 71%), increased in India (91% to 96%) and Malaysia (81% to 91%), and was stable in Indonesia (86%) and China (at 87%-90%). Vaccine risk and effectiveness profiles did not consistently affect parent's acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine for their children. Instead, being not hesitant was a large driver of vaccine acceptance (PR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.36). Adolescent COVID-19 vaccination have already been established in many high and middle-income countries, but our study suggests that there is a movement of vaccine hesitancy which could impede the success of future pediatric and adolescent COVID-19 vaccination programs.

SARS-CoV-2 serosurvey across multiple waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City between 2020-2023.

Sero-monitoring provides context to the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and changes in population immunity following vaccine introduction. Here, we describe results of a cross-sectional hospital-based study of anti-spike seroprevalence in New York City (NYC) from February 2020 to July 2022, and a follow-up period from August 2023 to October 2023. Samples from 55,092 individuals, spanning five epidemiological waves were analyzed. Prevalence ratios (PR) were obtained using Poisson regression. Anti-spike antibody levels increased gradually over the first two waves, with a sharp increase during the 3rd wave coinciding with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in NYC resulting in seroprevalence levels >90% by July 2022. Our data provide insights into the dynamic changes in immunity occurring in a large and diverse metropolitan community faced with a new viral pathogen and reflects the patterns of antibody responses as the pandemic transitions into an endemic stage.

Acceptance of a Future Gonorrhea Vaccine in a Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 World: Impact of Type of Recommendation and Changing Levels of Trust in Health Institutions and Authorities.

Widespread uptake of a future gonorrhea vaccine could decrease the burden of disease and limit the spread of antibiotic resistance. However, gonorrhea vaccination will occur in the backdrop of the roll-out of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, which could have influenced parental perceptions about other, non-COVID-19 vaccines. In an internet-based cross-sectional survey, 74% of parents would get a gonorrhea vaccine for their child, and this was higher among those whose trust in pharmaceutical companies increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 60% of adults aged 18 to 45 would receive a vaccine for themselves.

Sailing on the ark of Scopus: Narra J new journey.

Global health crises such as the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have highlighted the unique value of scientific research in the realm of public health and related disciplines. Although we have witnessed rapid growth in scientific output in the past years, concerns regarding scientific rigor and research integrity also emerged.

Mapping the Cognitive Biases Related to Vaccination: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Human behavior and understanding of the vaccine ecosystem play a critical role in the vaccination decision-making process. The objective of this study was to understand different cognitive biases that may lead to vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. METHODS: The eligibility criteria for this scoping review was vaccination-related cognitive bias studies published in the English language from inception to April 2022 and available on PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. It included all geographical locations and individuals of all age groups and excluded studies focusing on (i) clinical trials of vaccines, (ii) vaccine research conduct bias, (iii) cognitive delay, or (iv) statistical biases. The search method also included reviewing references in the retrieved articles. RESULTS: Overall, 58 articles were identified, and after screening, 19 were included in this study. Twenty-one cognitive biases with the potential to affect vaccination decision-making were observed. These biases were further grouped into three broad categories: cognitive biases seen while processing vaccine-related information, during vaccination-related decision-making, and due to prior beliefs regarding vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: This review identified critical cognitive biases affecting the entire process of vaccination that can influence research and public health efforts both positively and negatively. Recognizing and mitigating these cognitive biases is crucial for maintaining the population's level of trust in vaccination programs around the world.

Parents' willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccination for children in Malaysia using the contingent valuation method.

Children are susceptible and a potential source of transmission for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However compulsory COVID-19 vaccination programs among children have not been a focus in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to measure parents' willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine and analyze the effects of socioeconomic variables on parents' WTP. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in Malaysia with two waves of surveys (i.e., different samples for each wave), March and June 2021. The study participants were Malaysian parents above 18 years old. Parents were randomized between two vaccine effectiveness profiles (95% and 50% effectiveness) and two risk levels of an adverse event (5% and 20% risk of fever). The WTP was estimated using a double-bounded dichotomous choice. Socioeconomic variables such as age of parent, gender, insurance, income, and education were examined. A total of 292 parents in March 2021 and 271 in June 2021 were included in the study. The vaccine safety and effectiveness profile did not significantly impact the WTP. In March 2021, the estimated WTP ranged from RM344.74 to RM399.64 (US$82.5 to US$95.6) across vaccine profiles and between RM377.55 and RM444.33 (US$90.3 to US$106.3) in June. Insurance status was associated with the parents' WTP, and during the June wave, the age of parents influenced the WTP. Implementing subsidies or free vaccinations is considerable to increase herd immunity and prevent transmission of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

Impact of economic disruptions and disease experiences on COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Asia: A study in Malaysia.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, individuals have had a variety of experiences with the disease and economic disruptions in Asia. We assessed how these experiences could impact COVID-19 vaccination intent and uptake in one of the Asian country, Malaysia. Two opt-in internet-based cross-sectional samples were collected: a March wave (26 March - 7 April 2021) and a June wave (22 June - 10 July 2021). Individuals were asked about their vaccination status, their employment status, and their experience with COVID-19 cases. The impact of economic disruptions and experiences with COVID-19 on COVID-19 vaccination was assessed through a multivariable, multinomial logistic regression model. Among 1,493 participants (735 in March and 758 in June wave), 26% were already vaccinated, 57% planned to vaccinate, and 17% had no plan to vaccinate. The number who had lost a job or earned less because of the pandemic was 30% in March and 36% in June. Across both waves, 5%-6% had a personal, very serious experience of COVID-19, 13%-16% knew of a family member or friend with a very serious experience of COVID-19, and 43%-61% knew of a very serious COVID-19 case through media. Notably, compared to those who worked the same amount throughout the pandemic, those who lost their job had lower odds of already being vaccinated (OR: 0.37; 95%CI: 0.23, 0.59), but similar odds of planning to become vaccinated. Personal, family/friend, and media experiences were also all related to increased odds of planning to vaccinated or being already vaccinated. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to large disruptions in people's lives. People's experiences during the pandemic impact their likelihood of being vaccinated or planning to vaccinate against COVID-19. Equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccines will require outreach to groups with less stable employment and can leverage people's experiences with disease during the pandemic.

Disruption of childhood vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of childhood vaccination disruption and to determine the predictors of delaying childhood vaccinations during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among Indonesian parents. We conducted a nationwide, online, cross-sectional study. A set of questionnaires assessed the disruption of childhood vaccinations and possible explanatory variables, including demographic characteristics, current underlying disease, exposure to and confidence in COVID-19 information, perceived risk, attitude and practice on vaccination, and COVID-19 prevention practice. A multivariable linear regression was used to characterize the relationship between explanatory variables and delayed childhood vaccination. We included 1137 respondents for analysis, of which 52.6% were males and 58.4% participants aged between 31 and 50-years old. Disruption of childhood vaccination service in local health facilities was reported in 42.2% (480/1137) of respondents and 13.3% (193/1137) of respondents explained that their children could not be vaccinated because a healthcare facility temporary stopped the vaccination service. Of all respondents, 312 (27.4%) delayed vaccinating their children for a compulsory vaccination shot. Factors associated with higher odds of delaying compulsory vaccinations for children were employment and chronic disease status, flu vaccination status in the past year, and prior COVID-19 infection. In conclusion, there was a significant disruption of childhood vaccination practices in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not only due to healthcare closures but also due to parents' practice - delaying the compulsory childhood vaccination for their children. We urge the government to strengthen strategies to ensure childhood vaccination services are available to all children in the country during a pandemic.