scholarly journals Importance of epidemic severity and vaccine mode of action and availability for delaying the second vaccine dose

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludek Berec ◽  
Rene Levinsky ◽  
Jakub Weiner ◽  
Martin Smid ◽  
Roman Neruda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Supply Rate ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Popular Approach ◽  
Dose Period ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Model Scenarios

Following initial optimism regarding the potential for rapid vaccination, delays and shortages in vaccine supplies have occurred in many countries. Various strategies to counter this gloomy reality and speed up vaccination have been set forth, of which the most popular approach has been to delay the second vaccine dose for a longer period than originally recommended by the manufacturers. Controversy has surrounded this strategy, and overly simplistic models have been developed to shed light on this issue. Here we use three different epidemic models, all accounting for the actual COVID-19 epidemic in the Czech Republic, including the rise and eventual prevalence of the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus and real vaccination rollout strategy, to explore when delaying the second vaccine dose from 21 days to 42 days is advantageous. Using the numbers of COVID-19-related deaths as a quantity for comparing various model scenarios, we find that vaccine mode of action at the beginning of the infection course (preventing contagion and symptom appearance), mild epidemic and sufficient vaccine supply rate call for the original inter-delay scenario of 21 days regardless of vaccine efficacy. On the contrary, for vaccine mode of action at the end of infection course (preventing severe symptoms and death), severe epidemic and low vaccine supply rate, the 42-day inter-dose period is preferable, at any plausible vaccine efficacy.

scholarly journals Higher COVID-19 vaccination rates are linked to decreased county-level COVID-19 incidence across USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjun Puranik ◽  
AJ Venkatakrishnan ◽  
Colin Pawlowski ◽  
Bharathwaj Raghunathan ◽  
Eshwan Ramudu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
P Value ◽  
County Level ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
The Impact

Real world evidence studies of mass vaccination across health systems have reaffirmed the safety1 and efficacy2,3 of the FDA-authorized mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. However, the impact of vaccination on community transmission remains to be characterized. Here, we compare the cumulative county-level vaccination rates with the corresponding COVID-19 incidence rates among 87 million individuals from 580 counties in the United States, including 12 million individuals who have received at least one vaccine dose. We find that cumulative county-level vaccination rate through March 1, 2021 is significantly associated with a concomitant decline in COVID-19 incidence (Spearman correlation ρ = −0.22, p-value = 8.3e-8), with stronger negative correlations in the Midwestern counties (ρ = −0.37, p-value = 1.3e-7) and Southern counties (ρ = −0.33, p-value = 4.5e-5) studied. Additionally, all examined US regions demonstrate significant negative correlations between cumulative COVID-19 incidence rate prior to the vaccine rollout and the decline in the COVID-19 incidence rate between December 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021, with the US western region being particularly striking (ρ = −0.66, p-value = 5.3e-37). However, the cumulative vaccination rate and cumulative incidence rate are noted to be statistically independent variables, emphasizing the need to continue the ongoing vaccination roll out at scale. Given confounders such as different coronavirus restrictions and mask mandates, varying population densities, and distinct levels of diagnostic testing and vaccine availabilities across US counties, we are advancing a public health resource to amplify transparency in vaccine efficacy monitoring (https://public.nferx.com/covid-monitor-lab/vaccinationcheck). Application of this resource highlights outliers like Dimmit county (Texas), where infection rates have increased significantly despite higher vaccination rates, ostensibly owing to amplified travel as a “vaccination hub”; as well as Henry county (Ohio) which encountered shipping delays leading to postponement of the vaccine clinics. This study underscores the importance of tying the ongoing vaccine rollout to a real-time monitor of spatio-temporal vaccine efficacy to help turn the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Mapping of safe and early chemo-attenuated live Plasmodium falciparum immunization identifies immune signature of vaccine efficacy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Borrmann ◽  
Zita Sulyok ◽  
Katja Müller ◽  
Mihaly Sulyok ◽  
Rolf Fendel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Single Dose ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Effector Memory ◽  
Liver Stage ◽  
Rodent Malaria ◽  
Immune Signatures ◽  
Malaria Model

AbstractPotent protection against malaria can be induced by attenuated live-immunization with Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoites (SPZ). However, a better understanding of the critical processes involved in the establishment of protective immunity is needed. We explored the safety and vaccine efficacy of early chemo-attenuation of PfSPZ under atovaquone-proguanil (AP). AP caused early arrest of P. berghei liver stages. Despite the absence of replication, robust protection in mice correlated with parasite-specific effector-memory CD8+ T-cell responses. In a phase I clinical trial a single dose of AP prevented Pf infections in the liver of adult, human subjects who received three doses of 5.12×104 or 1.5×105 PfSPZ by direct venous inoculation combined with oral AP. However, only 2 of 8 (25%) and 2 of 10 (20%), respectively, were protected against controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) 10 weeks after the last vaccine dose, despite levels of IgG antibodies to the Pf circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) comparable to those achieved in fully protected volunteers after immunization with 5.12×104 PfSPZ with chloroquine chemoprophylaxis active only against subsequent blood stages. We identify lower IgG recognition of the secreted liver stage-specific antigens LISP2 and LSA1 and the multi-stage antigen MSP5 as immune signatures of inferior vaccine efficacy compared to PfSPZ with chloroquine chemoprophylaxis. In conclusion, we show that immune signatures of liver stage antigens, but neither an established rodent malaria model nor concentrations of antibodies against the major surface protein of sporozoites, permit prediction of vaccine efficacy. Thus, this study provides a clear rationale for the development of live sporozoite vaccination protocols that boost exposure to Pf liver stage antigens.Significance StatementOur research demonstrates that attenuation of liver infection of high doses of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites by concomitant single-dose administration of atovaquone-proguanil is safe in humans. However, vaccine efficacy was modest when compared to an identical protocol using chloroquine that acts only on the subsequent blood infection. Immune signatures of secreted P. falciparum liver stage antigens, but neither an established rodent malaria model nor concentrations of sporozoite antibodies, permit prediction of vaccine efficacy.

scholarly journals Updates on the Effect of Mycotoxins on Male Reproductive Efficiency in Mammals

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diala El. Khoury ◽  
Salma Fayjaloun ◽  
Marc Nassar ◽  
Joseph Sahakian ◽  
Pauline Y. Aad
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Molecular Function ◽  
Limited Knowledge ◽  
Biochemical Effects ◽  
Recent Increase ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Shed Light

Mycotoxins are ubiquitous and unavoidable harmful fungal products with the ability to cause disease in both animals and humans, and are found in almost all types of foods, with a greater prevalence in hot humid environments. These mycotoxins vary greatly in structure and biochemical effects; therefore, by better understanding the toxicological and pathological aspects of mycotoxins, we can be better equipped to fight the diseases, as well as the biological and economic devastations, they induce. Multiple studies point to the association between a recent increase in male infertility and the increased occurrence of these mycotoxins in the environment. Furthermore, understanding how mycotoxins may induce an accumulation of epimutations during parental lifetimes can shed light on their implications with respect to fertility and reproductive efficiency. By acknowledging the diversity of mycotoxin molecular function and mode of action, this review aims to address the current limited knowledge on the effects of these chemicals on spermatogenesis and the various endocrine and epigenetics patterns associated with their disruptions.

scholarly journals Similarities and differences in changing NPS market brought by new regulatory approaches in selected Eastern and Central European states with mostly focus on Poland and Latvia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Artur Malczewski ◽  
Agnese Zīle-Veisberga
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Liability ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Fast Reaction ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Central European ◽  
Country Study ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Open Question

The main objective of the paper is to explain, compare and conclude the effect on the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market brought by new and innovative responses to regulate the NPS (mostly between 2010 and 2014) in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania. Countries where NPS problem reached the peak, the traditional response or simply substance scheduling did not work. Since the NPS do not fall under market regulations, also the response to the problem was innovative stepping out of the existing system (for example, temporary prohibition in Poland, Latvia). Moreover, a political and social pressure has been a factor to speed up the development of new regulations, sometime affecting the quality. Seemingly harsh sanctions and immediate reaction are main elements to close the NPS street shops. Meanwhile this approach hasn’t caused a step back for chemical industry or science. Still is open question if national regulations against NPS market are fully enough. NPS market reacts very quickly for changing and only very strong and fast reaction from the institutional level seems to be effectiveness. Although NPS market differs in each country, study shows that harsh sanctions such as criminal liability and immediate reaction significantly decrease the availability of NPS, and thus contribute in decreasing acute health problems and prevalence. It was observed that at the time when stricter measure came into force, hospital emergencies were increased (Poland, Romania and in same extent Latvia).

scholarly journals Coronavirus new variants: the mutations cause and the effect on the treatment and vaccination

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (02) ◽  
pp. 70-78
Author(s):  
Rasha Raheem ◽  
Raghda Alsayed ◽  
Emad Yousif ◽  
Nany Hairunisa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
The Other ◽  
New Variant ◽  
The World ◽  
Shed Light

Background: The world has watched with growing alarm as scientists in the U.K.  Identified a new coronavirus variant that appears to be more contagious than, and genetically distinct from, other established variants. The scientists keep collecting the facts about the new variant and its impact on symptom, severity, mortality, and vaccine efficacy. Objective: This review shed light on the SARS-CoV-2 2020 virus that appeared in Britain and South Africa in December 2020, known as B.1.1.7. Furthermore, it highlights the main differences between the new COVID-19 version (B.1.1.7) and the other strains of the virus. Conclusion: Mutations are still happening in the SARS-CoV-2 virus as the RNA viruses cause many changes in the proteins of the spikes of the virus and other parts. The British variant has 23 mutations, compared with the version that erupted in Wuhan, that renders the virus more contagious; however, these mutations do not change the disease's severity.

scholarly journals Antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is extremely vivacious in subjects with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annapaola Callegaro ◽  
Daniela Borleri ◽  
Claudio Farina ◽  
Gavino Napolitano ◽  
Daniela Valenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Vaccination Schedule ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Vaccine Injection ◽  
Vaccine Schedule ◽  
Pearson Correlation Test ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

AbstractBackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic calls for rapid actions, now principally oriented to a world-wide vaccination campaign.In this study we verified if, in individuals with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, a single dose of mRNA vaccine would be immunologically equivalent to a full vaccine schedule in naïve individuals.MethodsHealth care workers (184) with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were sampled soon before the second dose of vaccine and between 7 and 10 days after the second dose, the last sampling time was applied to SARS-CoV-2 naïve individuals, too.Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were measured using Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S immunoassay.The study was powered for non-inferiority. We used non parametric tests and Pearson correlation test to perform inferential analysis.ResultsAfter a single vaccine injection, the median titer of specific antibodies in individuals with previous COVID-19 was 30,527 U/ml (IQR 19,992-39,288) and in subjects with previous SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic infection was 19,367.5 U/ml (IQR 14,688-31,353) (P=0.032). Both results were far above the median titer in naïve individuals after a full vaccination schedule: 1,974.5 U/ml (IQR 895-3,455) (P<0.0001). Adverse events after vaccine injection were more frequent after the second dose of vaccine (mean 0.95, 95%CI from 0.75 to 1.14 versus mean 1.91, 95%CI from 1.63 to 2.19)(P<0.0001) and in exposed compared to naïve (mean 1.63; 95%CI from 1.28 to 1.98 versus mean 2.35; 95%CI from 1.87 to 2.82)(P=0.015).ConclusionIn SARS-CoV-2 naturally infected individuals a single mRNA vaccine dose seems sufficient to reach immunity. Modifying current dosing schedules would speed-up vaccination campaigns.

scholarly journals A health benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination program in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 463
Author(s):  
Israel O. Idris ◽  
Okiki O. Badejo ◽  
Victor Ochagu ◽  
Sheriff A. Lamidi ◽  
Nataliia Gavkalova
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Vaccination Program ◽  
Total Burden

Background: Nigeria ranks third just behind India and China in the global disease burden of pneumococcal disease. The current sustainability approach for an affordable pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for the national immunization program from 2014 till 2025 involves a cost sharing plan funded with a 75% financial support from GAVI and a subsidy from Pfizer pharmaceuticals. There is a strong need to generate evidence on the cost-effectiveness of the national PCV program in Nigeria from 2014-2025 and beyond 2025.Methods: The following parameters (demography, disease burden, health services utilization and costs, vaccination coverage, vaccine efficacy, and vaccination costs) were used in a static cohort model to estimate the total cost, health and economic benefit, and cost-effectiveness of the implementation of PCV vaccination program, compared with no PCV vaccination among under-five children in Nigeria from 2014-2025 and from 2026-2033. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the robustness of the data used.Results: The national PCV vaccination program would have an approximated 31.4% and 30% reduction of the total burden of pneumococcal diseases over the period of 2014-2025 and 2026-2033 respectively. One-way sensitivity analysis reveals vaccine efficacy as most sensitive parameter followed by disease incidence rate and treatment cost. Removal and addition of DTP3 and 3+1 (measles vaccine) dose respectively resulted to a similar ICER from both.Conclusions: The estimated ICER suggests that the national PCV program in Nigeria will be cost-effective post 2025 era.  In addition, it is recommended for policy-makers adoption considering the budget and equity impact of the intervention in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Attracting Skilled Migration to the Czech Republic – Lagging Behind?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana N. Hlaváčková ◽  
Lucie Macková
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Integration Policy ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Skilled Migration ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Shed Light

This paper attempts to explore the issue of skilled migration and the approach of the Czech Republic when it comes to attracting and retaining foreign skilled workers. The global competition for talent has been a prominent issue in migration studies, mainly because it has been shown that qualified migration can have a positive impact both on the countries of origin and of destination. The Czech Republic, with its low levels of unemployment, might benefit from the human capital offered by the skilled migration, and yet, there is surprisingly little debate about the type of migration the Czech Republic wants to attract. At best, this debate is driven by short-term employer demands. Surprisingly, there is little research about skilled migration to the Czech Republic and other CEE states despite its clear benefits. This paper will explore the Czech policies and programmes dealing with skilled migration and the possible caveats of these programmes. The main aim of this contribution, done by qualitative and quantitative content analysis, is to analyze past and ongoing programmes of migration and integration policy of the Czech Republic regarding skilled migration. Furthermore, it attempts to shed light on the discursive, implementation, and efficacy gaps in the Czech policies.

scholarly journals Post-vaccine COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica

2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110497
Author(s):  
Edouard Januel ◽  
Jérôme De Seze ◽  
Patrick Vermersch ◽  
Elisabeth Maillart ◽  
Bertrand Bourre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Neuromyelitis Optica ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Biological Study ◽  
Anti Cd20

Introduction: Recent studies suggested that anti-CD20 and fingolimod may be associated with lower anti-spike protein-based immunoglobulin-G response following COVID-19 vaccination. We evaluated if COVID-19 occurred despite vaccination among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO), using the COVISEP registry. Case series: We report 18 cases of COVID-19 after two doses of BNT162b2-vaccination, 13 of which treated with anti-CD20 and four with fingolimod. COVID-19 severity was mild. Discussion: These results reinforce the recommendation for a third COVID-19 vaccine dose among anti-CD20 treated patients and stress the need for a prospective clinical and biological study on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy among MS and NMO patients.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 and Coronavirus Ancestors under a Molecular Scope

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maram Adel Abdelghany ◽  
Sarah Abdullah Gozai Alghamdi ◽  
Jehane Ibrahim Eid
Keyword(s):  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Genomic Information ◽  
The World ◽  
High Level ◽  
Shed Light

The Pandemic of COVID-19 has been thoroughly followed and discussed on many levels due to the high level of attention that it has brought by its effect on the world. While this disease might seem like to arise out of the blue, we will shed light on COVID-19 disease which is caused by the virus SARS-CoV2 and belong to family of coronaviruses. We will discuss current knowledge about SARS-CoV2 emergence, diagnosis, its mode of action, and genomic information, For an antiviral treatment to be used, it should be preceded by a foundation of information about the virus genome and its family as discussed in this review.

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