Correction: Mahasing et al. Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 Vaccination in Thailand. Vaccines 2023, 11, 749.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this published paper [...].

Changes in Personal Protective Equipment Usage Among Healthcare Personnel From the Beginning of Pandemic to Intra-COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: Personal protective equipment (PPE) use is associated with reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare personnel (HCP). There are limited data on the impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the PPE use of HCP. We describe the changes in PPE use from just before the widespread of community outbreaks ('pre-pandemic') to intra-pandemic time points, and examine factors associated with not changing in PPE use behavior among HCP in four Thai hospitals. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort evaluation using two-time points: (i) February-March 2020 (pre-pandemic period); and (ii) January-March 2021 (intra-pandemic period). Self-reported frequency of appropriate PPE use was measured by a Likert scale. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with no increase in self-reported PPE use. RESULTS: Of 343 HCP, the proportion of participants reporting 'always' using PPE rose from 66% during the pre-pandemic period to 80% during the pandemic. Factors associated with HCP who did not increase in PPE use included having high baseline reported PPE, being a non-registered HCP (e.g. nurse assistants, dental assistants, porters), being male, and having a low perceived risk of becoming infected with any respiratory virus while working in the hospital. CONCLUSION: PPE education, training, and risk communication content should target all cadres of HCP, regardless of registered/non-registered status, with a focus on behavior change for improved prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in healthcare settings.

Myocarditis and Pericarditis following COVID-19 Vaccination in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis and pericarditis cases following Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination were reported worldwide. In Thailand, COVID-19 vaccines were approved for emergency use. Adverse event following immunization (AEFI) surveillance has been strengthened to ensure the safety of the vaccines. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of myocarditis and pericarditis, and identify the factors associated with myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in Thailand. METHOD: We carried out a descriptive study of reports of myocarditis and pericarditis to Thailand's National AEFI Program (AEFI-DDC) between 1 March and 31 December 2021. An unpaired case-control study was conducted to determine the factors associated with myocarditis and pericarditis after the CoronaVac, ChAdOx1-nCoV, BBIBP-CorV, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 vaccines. The cases consisted of COVID-19 vaccine recipients who met the definition of confirmed, probable, or suspected cases of myocarditis or pericarditis within 30 days of vaccination. The controls were people who underwent COVID-19 vaccination between 1 March and 31 December 2021, with no adverse reactions documented after vaccination. RESULTS: Among the 31,125 events recorded in the AEFI-DDC after 104.63 million vaccinations, 204 cases of myocarditis and pericarditis were identified. The majority of them were male (69%). The median age was 15 years (interquartile range (IQR): 13-17). The incidence was highest following the BNT162b2 vaccination (0.97 cases per 100,000 doses administered). Ten deaths were reported in this study; no deaths were reported among children who received the mRNA vaccine. Compared with the age-specific incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis in Thailand before the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccination, the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis after the BNT162b2 vaccine was greater in the 12-17 and 18-20 age groups in both males and females. It was higher after the second dose in 12- to 17-year-olds (2.68 cases per 100,000 doses administered) and highest after the second dose in male 12- to 17-year-olds (4.43 cases per 100,000 doses administered). Young age and a mRNA-based vaccination were associated with myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of the COVID-19 vaccine after multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination against COVID-19 were uncommon and mild, and were most likely to affect male adolescents. The COVID-19 vaccine offers the recipients enormous benefits. The balance between the risks and advantages of the vaccine and consistent monitoring of AEFI are essential for management of the disease and identification of AEFI.

Investigation of a Cluster of Immunization Stress-Related Reactions after Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination, Thailand, 2021.

On 28 April 2021, the investigation team of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, was notified of a cluster of people developing neurological symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination in a province in eastern Thailand. We conducted an investigation from 29 April to 20 May 2021 to confirm the outbreak, describe the epidemiological characteristics and identify possible risk factors. A matched case-control study was conducted. Matching factors were gender and vaccination site. A confirmed case was a person receiving COVID-19 vaccination in the province and developed at least one neurological symptom between 21 April and 20 May 2021. The rapid assessment of the vaccination cold chain system was carried out. We found a total of 36 cases out of 3920 vaccinees (attack rate = 0.92%), all cases were recovered and classified as an immunization stress-related reaction (ISRR) by the National AEFI Expert Committee. An analytic study found that menstruation was significantly associated with ISRR (AOR = 6.84 [95%CI = 1.09-42.91]). The environmental survey suggested that the cold chain system was properly managed. Further studies on other precipitating causes of ISRR should be performed. In terms of recommendation, health providers should pay greater attention to women menstruating during and after COVID-19 immunization.