Opinions, Attitudes and Factors Related to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Uptake in Eight South American Countries.

This article presents attitudes and practices regarding COVID-19 vaccination in the South American population. The study collected data from a self-administered survey distributed through social media platforms between February and April 2022 (N = 6555). The survey included questions related to participants' sociodemographic background, flu vaccination practices, sources of information about COVID-19, and opinions regarding pandemic management and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The respondents agreed with the statement that COVID-19 vaccines were necessary (86.4%), effective (79.8%), safe (79.1%), and should be mandatory (64%). Overall, 83.4% accepted vaccination and 12.3% refused it completely. Main rejection reasons were safety (65.8%) and efficacy (54.9%) issues, and rushed development and approvals (49.1%). Vaccine uptake was associated with being ≥60 years, being a healthcare worker, previous influenza vaccine uptake, adherence to preventive measures, the death of ≥1 close people from COVID-19, and being informed through mass media or health authorities' channels. Vaccine uptake inversely correlated with male gender, low educational level, and use of closed social networks for COVID-19 information purposes. This study provides valuable insights into COVID-19 vaccination attitudes and practices in South America that may be used to promote vaccine uptake in the region. Higher COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among people with previously acquired prevention habits reinforces the importance of routine health promotion strategies.

Trajectory of serogroups causing Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Santa Catarina state, Brazil (2007-2019).

The aim of this study was to compare the trajectory of serogroups causing Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) in the Santa Catarina (SC) state with those of whole Brazil. A retrospective analysis of all IMD cases reported from January 2007 to December 2019 was carried out. During the study period, 26,058 IMD cases were registered in Brazil and 644 and in SC state alone. Overall, Brazil showed progressive reduction in cases since 2010, when the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine was introducted on National Immunization Program, while SC showed an increase in total cases since 2013, particularly from serogroups W and C. Serogroups distribution was significantly different between Brazil and SC. The emergence of serogroup W highlights the improved meningococcal surveillance through increased accuracy in identification methods in SC state. This finding is important for discussing recommendations of quadrivalent (ACWY) conjugate vaccines in different geographical areas of Brazil.

Vacina rotavírus: segurança e alergia alimentar ­ Posicionamento das Sociedades Brasileiras de Alergia e Imunologia (ASBAI), Imunizações (SBIm) e Pediatria (SBP) / Rotavirus vaccine: safety and food allergy ­ Position paper of the Brazilian Societies of Allergy and Immunology (ASBAI), Immunizations (SBIm), and Pediatrics (SBP)

O rotavírus continua sendo o principal agente causador de diarreia na criança, a despeito da ampla utilização de vacinas nos programas públicos de vacinação em todo o mundo. No Brasil, a vacina monovalente foi introduzida no Programa Nacional de Imunizações (PNI) em 2006, e a segurança da vacina está bem documentada em diferentes estudos pré e pós-licenciamento. Embora não haja nenhuma associação entre o uso da vacina rotavírus e o desenvolvimento da alergia às proteínas do leite de vaca (APLV), existe o receio, por parte de alguns pediatras e familiares, da vacina estar relacionada ao surgimento ou desencadeamento desta reação de hipersensibilidade. Este artigo faz uma revisão dos dados de segurança da vacina e aborda aspectos imunológicos das reações de hipersensibilidade, demonstrando não haver nexo causal entre a vacina e a APLV, reforçando o posicionamento e recomendações de organismos nacionais, internacionais e das sociedades científicas.

Despite the widespread use of vaccines in public immunization programs worldwide, rotavirus remains the primary cause of diarrhea in children. In Brazil, the monovalent vaccine was introduced in the National Immunization Program (Programa Nacional de Imunizações - PNI) in 2006, and its safety is well documented in different studies carried out both before and after licensing. Even though there is no association between the use of rotavirus vaccine and the development of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA), some pediatricians and family members fear that the vaccine may be somehow related to the emergence or outbreak of this hypersensitivity reaction. This article reviews safety data available for this vaccine and addresses the immunological aspects of hypersensitivity reactions. The findings demonstrate that there is no causal link between the rotavirus vaccine and CMPA, reinforcing the position and recommendations of national and international agencies as well as of scientific societies.

Vaccination schedule for childhood and adolescence: comparing recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: To present the criteria used to define a vaccination schedule for childhood and adolescence, comparing the recommendations of national and international excellence institutions. SOURCES OF DATA: Review of publications by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) covering the period from 2000 to 2005. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Local epidemiological and socioeconomic factors and the available infrastructure often define the priorities of immunobiological recommendations. The publications reviewed, both national and international, differ in terms of the vaccination schedule for tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, rotavirus, pertussis, pneumococcus, meningococcus, varicella and hepatitis A. In Brazil, there are Special Immunobiology Referral Centers (CRIE--Centros de Referência de Imunobiológicos Especiais), which, according to specific criteria, offer the population immunobiologicals that are unavailable on the public health network. CONCLUSIONS: While the use of a universal schedule is impossible due to epidemiological and operational differences, there are similarities that can be incorporated with different populations, as long as technical and scientific criteria are respected.

Calendário vacinal na infância e adolescência: avaliando diferentes propostas / Vaccination schedule for childhood and adolescence: comparing recommendations

OBJETIVOS: Apresentar os critérios utilizados para elaboração de um calendário de vacinação na infância e adolescência, comparando recomendações de instituições de referência em nível nacional e internacional FONTES DOS DADOS: Revisão da literatura científica a partir de publicações da Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria (SBP), Ministério da Saúde, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no período de 2000 a 2005. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: Aspectos epidemiológicos locais, socioeconômicos e infra-estrutura disponível podem definir prioridades nas recomendações de imunobiológicos. As referências consultadas, tanto nacionais como internacionais, apresentam calendários vacinais para infância e adolescência com diferenças nas vacinas contra tuberculose, poliomielite, rotavírus, pertússis, pneumococo, meningococo, varicela e hepatite A, havendo grande semelhança em relação às demais. No Brasil, existem à disposição da população, conforme critérios específicos, os Centros de Referência de Imunobiológicos Especiais (CRIE), os quais oferecem imunobiológicos não disponíveis na rede pública. CONCLUSÕES:Embora a utilização de um calendário universal não seja possível em função de diferenças epidemiológicas e operacionais, existem semelhanças que podem ser incorporadas às diferentes populações, desde que sejam contemplados critérios técnicos e científicos.

Efeitos da nutrição parenteral total associada à infeccção bacteriana na função hepatobiliar de ratos da cepa Wistar / Effects of total parenteral nutrition associated witn bacterial infection on hepatobiliary function of Wistar rats

Objetivo: Avaliar as alterações hepáticas associadas à nutrição parenteral em ratos. Foram avaliados quatro grupos com 10 ratos cada:I. Contrôles alimentados, por via oral, com dieta habitual; II. Dieta habitual, infectados com Escherichia Coli inoculada por via intra peritoneal; III. Nutrição parenteral; IV. Nutrição parenteral e infectados. Foram analisadas as concentrações séricas de AST, ALT, GGT e 5'N no primeiro dia do experimento e no oitavo da nutrição parenteral por ocasião do sacrifício dos animais...